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Venetian Villas and Riviera del Brenta
Houseboat itineraries
The history and its Venetian renaissance architecture characterize the Riviera del Brenta, an ancient sixteenth-century canal, along whose banks noble Venetian families built their luxurious summer residences.
Retracing the navigable route that has taken boats from Venice to Padua for over five centuries, you can admire these wonderful ancient villas.
The Riviera del Brenta is full of basins and movable bridges, and therefore requires patience and also a certain driving skill. You can even reach Padua, mooring near the historic center, and then visit the city by bicycle. Padua is one of Italy’s most important cities, with a historic university, pictorial artworks by Giotto, the basilica of Sant'Antonio, and marvelous squares and buildings.
Boating brenta canal
It's important to remember that the departure and return of the cruise are always scheduled from the Casale sul Sile office. Therefore, you first proceed along the Sile river, then through the Venice Lagoon, and only on the third day can reach the Riviera del Brenta where you can cruise for the following 3 days, before returning to the starting base to complete your trip. Riviera del Brenta observes a weekly closure on Mondays so it’s a good idea to organize your navigation accordingly.
The famous “Venetian Villas”, some of which were designed by the founding architect of this tradition, Andrea Palladio, can be visited as museums. Others are private and are only viewable from the outside. Normally, five Villas can be visited, spread throughout the municipalities of Mira, Dolo, and Stra. The most important of these is undoubtedly Villa Pisani, known as “La Nazionale”, due to its historical significance during the Kingdom of Italy, as well as for its grandeur. This immense residence, complete with swimming pools and stables, a hedge maze in the park, and with rooms frescoed by major artists of the time, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and therefore unmissable.
Having bicycles is a significant advantage along this stretch for getting around the mooring and for visiting the tourist attractions. The itinerary is monumental and cultural and does not include areas suitable for swimming.
Generate itinerary by number of days and holiday mood
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Navigation closures: 8
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Opening bridges: 20
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Number of hours of navigation: 25
Venetian Villas and Riviera del Brenta
Renaissance history and architecture
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Casale sul Sile base
A few kilometers from the splendid medieval city of Treviso (definitely worth a visit) is our home base in the Veneto region. Despite being in the municipal area of Casale sul Sile (from which it takes its name), the base is located about 500 meters from the historic center of a small and...
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Beaches
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Culture
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Casier
The bell tower of the church of San Teodosio stands out among the trees of the natural park. The beautiful, pedestrianized square is filled with bars and restaurants and is a must for anyone starting or ending their cruise. As you navigate the winding bends of the river you can admire some...
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Casale sul Sile
The most important center in the Sile park offers ample mooring facilities in the town’s pedestrian center, just below the tall bell tower of the very important Church of Santa Maria Assunta containing a frescoed ceiling by the Venetian Giandomenico Tiepolo. Nearby is the unusual...
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Sile River Park
Here, you can encounter private villas in Venetian style, with Italian gardens that slope down to the water. Sail slowly to enjoy this spectacular scenery, and to respect the children in canoes, in the silence that this river and its newly resurgent waters guarantees. The Gira Sile cycle path...
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Portegrandi
Portegrandi is home to the only navigation basin in the Sile park, via which you can enter the Venetian Lagoon. The town is a few hundred meters away and can be reached by the cycle path. It includes all the basic facilities.
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Torcello
Currently, it has only a few residents, but the priceless archaeological heritage that it still preserves makes it a very important stop on the tourist trail. In addition to the monuments recognized as UNESCO heritage sites, you’ll also find some exclusive restaurants, including the famous...
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Culture
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Burano
Burano looks like a painting. The island is crowded during the day, but quiet and magical in the evening. During the day you can discover the art of artistic lace-making at the very central La Perla shop. In the evening, however, we recommend that you enjoy a laid-back aperitif in one of the...
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Culture
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Mazzorbo
Mazzorbo is a village where people can often be found doing gymnastics in parks and green areas. Some very popular restaurants can be found on the Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, on the north side of the island. A visit to Tenuta Venissa is a must: for centuries, its vineyard has defied salt and...
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Bacan
Located south of the island of Sant'Erasmo, Bacan is an almost magical place. It overlooks Venice but isn’t influenced by tourism. It’s a place where life passes quietly among the purple artichoke crops, unique to the island. A nice restaurant with a view and beachside tables is the...
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Beaches
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Vignole
Vignole is a few hundred meters from the city, and here the waters are calm, and the nights are quiet. It’s an island inhabited by just a few families, who grow and sell their vegetables directly, as they did many years ago. There is also a simple restaurant with outdoor seating. A huge...
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Venice
This lagoon city is famous worldwide, rich in both history and art. You can travel the Giudecca canal by boat and admire the skyline of the most important monuments, but it’s not possible to enter the Grand Canal. Our company has agreements with paid ports such as the Marina di Sant'Elena,...
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Malcontenta
Malcontenta is the first town you come across when you go up the Riviera del Brenta. Here, stopping is obligatory, because you have to cross the first of the numerous opening bridges: a characteristic of travel along this noble canal.
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Culture
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Mira
Cruising allows you to admire the many villas with noble architecture overlooking the water. Numerous restaurants and services are available in the historic center of Mira. This stretch of navigable canal is characterized by the presence of 7 opening bridges.
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Culture
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Dolo
Situated in the middle of the Riviera del Brenta, Dolo allows you to admire the villas overlooking the water. Mooring is near the navigation basin, on a real island. This corner of the village has been fully restored and offers numerous restaurants and bars with outdoor tables.
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Stra
It is mainly known for the presence of the Villa Pisani Nazionale, a monumental example of a Venetian villa and a UNESCO heritage site, which is now home to a national museum. The outdoor park is also spectacular, characterized by a complex of pools and fountains, stables, water features, and a...
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Venice Lagoon and the smaller islands
Friuli Venezia Giulia
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