La Bella Vita: A slow boat down the Italian waterways

A slow wind on La Bella Vita through the idyllic Italian waterways offers an unforgettable way to visit Venice

As sommelier Francesca Guidolin tinkled her small golden bell to hush the conversation across the long dining tables, we’d have made exemplary subjects for Mr Pavlov.

I don’t know how long it took for his famous dogs to salivate at the sound of ringing, but in less than two days Francesca had trained our palates to respond instantly to her command.

The bell was an integral part of meal times aboard La Bella Vita, a 60-year-0ld former sand barge that now transports up to 20 guests as a stylish and luxurious hotel boat.

Refitted with a dining room, a cosy bar and ten cabins, she offers few clues to her past, apart from a former name still visible on her sturdy-looking hull (there are nautical superstitions about erasing such things, though banners proclaim her new name from the sun deck).

The cabins are compact but we spent little time in them during a sparkling “Italian Renaissance” itinerary that took us from Mantua in northern Italy to Venice.

Crossing the Po delta on the Bianco Canal – a manmade waterway that runs parallel to the river – you can take this cruise in either direction, though if you want the thrill of sailing into Venice, west to east is the way to go.

That said, we certainly weren’t disappointed by Mantua, which was named the Italian Capital of Culture in 2016. Encircled by wetlands, the city has hardly

Article source: https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/la-bella-vita-a-slow-boat-down-the-italian-waterways/