With Italy welcoming visitors once again, luxury hotel barging specialist European Waterways is relaunching its annual exclusive Solo Cruise aboard the company’s largest vessel, the 20-passenger La Bella Vita luxury hotel barge. Spacious and stylish, the vessel’s classic itinerary is canal cruising at its finest, taking guests in luxury and comfort on a scenic and gastronomic journey between Venice and the Renaissance city of Mantua along the River Po. Departing October 10, 2021, the six-night, all-inclusive cruise features a series of “extra touches” designed to enhance the solo experience among its small group of like-minded travelers.
“Today’s solo traveler is more confident and adventurous than ever before, and they’re ready to ‘go it alone’ anywhere in the world if the experience promises to enrich their lives,” said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. “This Solo Cruise is exclusive to La Bella Vita – and available only once a year. On this picturesque cruise on the Venice Lagoon, the Bianco Canal and the River Po, travelers will enjoy world-class cuisine, the finest wine, an unparalleled scenic journey, and unique excursions that immerse them in the culture, art and history of Venice.”
Banks noted that, as with all European Waterways cruises, every aspect of the cruise is carefully curated to allow for maximum social interaction among guests, should they wish to mingle, while also ensuring plenty of “me time” to soak in the experiences and relish the moments in their own, personal way. This ideal environment means that solo travelers who cannot participate in the Solo Cruise will always feel right at home on any of the company’s other cruises, which are available throughout Europe and the U.K.
Classic Cruise Highlights
European Waterway’s Solo Cruise features the very best of La Bella Vita’s Classic Cruise itinerary. This includes dinner with a countess at her 17th century riverside villa and a private wine tasting in the ancient cellars of the 17th century Villa Widmann-Borletti. The Po River Delta itself puts on a delightful show, with shallow wetlands that teem with migrating birds such as ducks, herons, wild geese, egrets, and flamingos. There’s also truly “a movable feast” onboard, with guests enjoying gastronomic meals with vine-to-table wine pairings, prepared every day by their personal master chef.
Exclusive ‘Extra Touches’
Dotted throughout the itinerary are “extra touches” that provide unique opportunities for solo guests to “mingle with the locals” and discover what makes Venice one of the world’s most popular destinations. Among these is a guided stroll through the picturesque streets of Venice, which culminates with a visit to the popular Florian Café, the world’s oldest of its kind. Guests will savor specialty coffees, wines, cocktails and desserts amidst the Café’s ornate, neo-Baroque splendor.
Guests will also stop at the island of Pellestrina to visit a local corner bar, or bacaro, and enjoy an aperitif and Venetian-style tapas, or cicchetti; take a ride in a traditional boat along the canals of Chioggia, a town that’s often called “Little Venice”; and visit the colorful fish market of Piazzetta Vigo, where the largest quantify of fresh fish is sold in Europe. Onboard, they will enjoy interactive cooking demonstrations of regionally inspired cuisine where the master chef will reveal “secrets of the trade”. Guests will also enjoy an onboard “opera night” that is both fun and educational.
“The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, all excursions and special events are done as a group and – most importantly – there is no such thing as a ‘singles table’ on the boat,” said Banks. “Guests may be traveling solo, but they’ll never feel alone!”
Book With Confidence
European Waterways’ “Book with Confidence” policy provides flexibility in rescheduling future cruises, should they be impacted by government restrictions. The health and safety of guests are also top priorities, with strict protocols in place that include crew and passenger temperature checks as well as deep cleaning and disinfecting of all cabins and public surfaces on the boats. For more information, visit www.europeanwaterways.com.
