Full-Day Padua to Venice Burchiello Brenta Riviera Boat Cruise

We booked this mini-cruise in advance, departing from Padua and arriving in Venice. Unfortunately, the organization had to replace in the first part up to Dolo the boat with the coach due to the impossibility of navigating the Brenta because of the shallow water. Apparently it happens a lot. The organization however was impeccable in the service , the guide very capable and exhaustive and the lunch at the restaurant good.

Be aware that this is a very long day. The boat did not start off at meeting point, we were bussed to the first villa and then bussed to the boat. There is a lot of walking and getting on and off the bus. Booking thru Viator, the lunch was not an option, we didn’t even know lunch was an option. So at the lunch stop, we had to walk into town (about 5 minutes). The guide is excellent, she has to translate all the information 3 or 4 times, Italian first, English second and then the other languages, so there is constantly someone talking on the boat. During the villa visits, they have other guides and they split the guests up according to language. Once you get to Venice, you will need to find your way back. They do give you instructions. It will be a 45 minute walk to the train station, or a 30 minute ride on the water taxi. The Villas are beautiful and full of history, but it is a long day……

Already the afternoon before they warned us with an email that part of the route would be by bus due to a change in the water levels of the Naviglio without even apologizing or trying to make amends with a discount or something and whatever (there is no one's fault). We begin the journey, the guides Elda and Emma both prepared (although Emma is still young and less experienced but it's all there eh, be clear). The thing that made us mad is the almost compulsion to have lunch in their partner restaurant, they tell you you can choose but you still have to get off the ship and eat any packed lunch like the camped on the highway without even the possibility of having a coffee or a dessert in the restaurant. Luckily the crew on board (very kind commander and sailor, I think it's called Claudia), attentive to every detail, safety and to make navigation pleasant to compensate once re-boarded. However I would not recommend the experience, a bite and run between villas that for the price paid is absolutely not worth it. Rather one arranges it himself im car. Save money and spend the right time on everything. Arriving in Venice at 5 pm means saying goodbye to St Mark's Square from afar and leaving if not overnight. At this point divide the trip into two days and in addition to visiting well Brenta villas and some more Palladio dedicate a second full day to Venice and you really enjoy it, in terms of figures we are there (experience too expensive).