H2olidays

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Italy

Italy offers amazing lanscapes and waterways… Discover Venice and Marano by cruising on the laguna, 6000 hectares of Nature, culture and history are there to be enjoyed. Cruise on the Po or Brenta rivers, visit superb villas on the rivers’ banks. During your cruise, you will have the pleasure of making several gastronomic stopovers and of tasting fresh fish and seafood in small and quaint restaurants.

Chioggia 
Chioggia (a little fisherman village in the south of the Venice lagoon) has traditionally been the first base in Italy. Its central location in relation to the Padano/Veneto waterway makes this picturesque "water" city an ideal harbour and departure point for the best routes all year long. The base is located in a strategic and panoramic point at equal distance between Chioggia (downtown, 300m) and Sottomarina (sea-side resort, 500m).

Chioggia, a fishing capital and the European centre for horticultural production, has the appearance of a charming sailor town while being the second largest city after Venice in the lagoon. It is a delight to discover the fresh fish market in this city of Roman origins. Its architectural treasures invite you to take an exciting tour through the town: the cathedral, its domes and bells, the Refugium Peccatorum with the scared image of Madoona, churhces, Palace Poli, bridges, the 'pescheria' (fish shop - visit obligatory), the small Vigo place and its column of 1786 etc. This stunning city is quiet and yet at the same time full of life and is set in a beautiful natural setting.

To see : the town of Chioggia; the town of Padou; the town of Trévise; villas of Palladio, the fresco of Giotto.

To taste : Broetto (fish soup), risotto with pescatora, papini, sugoli, bossolà (bread of Chioggia), the wine Bardolino, the sparkling wines of Conegliano.

To know : to 54 km of Venice (by road); to 27 km of Venice (by channels).

Most Important : Venice, its islands, its lagoon.

Navigation :
You can sail through the Venice lagoon, one of the most beautiful and celebrated sites of Europe. During your trip you can come across fishermen's houses and see the Venetian countryside, perhaps you'll even meet a colony of migratory birds... 
On each island there is a different treasure to uncover, the glass craftsmen of Murano, the laces of Burano, the archaeological treasures of Torcello, etc. While sailing down the Brenta, the river canal, you can admire all the villas which are reflected in the water. A relaxing cruise in a dreamlike landscape...

From Chioggia :

One week one way cruise
Chioggia - Marano (via Cavallino or Portegrandi - Caposile - Musile - Cortellazzo - Caorle - Bibione - via Venice and the islands of the lagoon) : 140 km - 5 locks (always open) - 5 movable bridges - 17 hours

One week
Chioggia - Venice (the lagoon and the islands) - Trevise - Chioggia : 193 km - 2 locks - 2 movable bridges - 30 hours
Chioggia - Venice (the lagoon and the islands) - Padova - Chioggia : 160 km - 10 locks - 18 movable bridges - 35 hours

Two weeks
Chioggia - Venice - Jesolo - Caorle - Chioggia : 270 km - 10 locks - 10 movable bridges - 47 hours 

Marano

Marano (a small town in the center of the Grado and Marano lagoon) is another splendid community, the twin of Chioggia in terms of their flourishing fishing industry. The base is located only 300m from the historic centre on an island harbor which is joined to the mainland by 2 bridges, one for vehicles and one for pedestrians.
Marano and its ancient citadel are hidden in unspoilt countryside and surrounded by forests in the north of the lagoon. This town has always been a fishing community and its has managed to keep the local traditions, which are closely related to the sea-faring culture of Venice, alive.
Take your time to stroll through the natural reserve of Stella River and that of Valley Canal Novo, both of which are found in the Marano lagoon. Its natural ecosystem is unique in Europe which makes it a veritable oasis of flora and fauna.

To see : Torre patriarchal of XVème Century, the Loggia building of XVème and Palazzo dei Provveditori (palate of XVème), the Church of Beata Vergine della Salute, the Civic center with its permanent archaeological exposure.

To taste : tagliatelli with tuna, cialzons (speciality of raviolis), the gubana and the pinze (softnesses), the Friuli wines.

To know : to 90 km of Venice (by road) to 60 km of Venice (by channels).

Most Important : Lagoon of Grado and Marano, Aquileia (not Venice and its islands)

Navigation :
Sail through a beautiful basin situated between the Friuli plan and the Adriatic Sea: the Marano lagoon. This is a hospitable land where the local tradtions are still linked to those of the sea-faring culture of Venice. If you navigate along the Veneta Coast, you will follow the "Chioggia-Trieste", an ancient waterway created by the 'Serenissima' when they were at their most powerful. From fishermen's huts to the great palaces of the Canal, from the greeness of the major estuaries occassionally hidden by reeds to the lazy coastline this classic navigation traverse an unpredictable, dreamy landscape.

From Marano :

One week
Marano - Grado - Aquileia - Bibione - Caorle - Precenico - Marano : 190 km - 4 locks (always open) - 2 movable bridges (always open) - 25 hours

One week one way cruise
Marano - Chioggia (via Cavallino ou Portegrandi - Caposile - Musile - Cortellazzo - Caorle - Bibione - via Venice and the islands of the lagoon) : 140 km - 5 locks (normaly always open) - 5 movable bridges - 17 hours