Brenta Canal Boat Trips

Want to see how the 16th century rich and famous of Venice enjoyed their weekends and summer breaks? Well the Brenta canal should be on you itinerary if you have a day to spare.

In the 16th century this trip was THE luxury excursion for the upper classes.

Many of these same people built sumptuous summer villas to escape from the sticky humidity of Venice – in fact over 2000 of them were built and many of them are still here. It needs to be said that some of them now look in dire need of some attention but a few have been lovingly restored to their former glory.

Trips normally start in Padua (Padova) and finish up in St Marks Square but trips from Venice to Padua are also available. If you leave from Venice the first bit is a bit flat and boring with little to see. The boats stop at all the main villas and you get a bit of a guided tour around them.

Barchessa Valmarana is lovely, Villa Foscari was once home to Byron and Villa Pisani is hands-down the best of them.

Boat companies charge around 80 Euro for the cruisewhich includes guided trips around three or four of the villas and a bus trip back at the end of the cruise. Most of them also make a stop for lunch, which is an extra 30 Euros or so. If you don’t want this lunch you can bring your own picnic with you.

One of the better companies running the trips is Battelli del Brenta. Visit their site here.



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