BIKE PATHS, ROUTES, TRAVEL TIPS Bike and Barge in Italy and France
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Girolibero Bike and Barge tours: a unique experience
A one-week holiday where you cycle during the day and spend the night in one of our cozy barges. These floating hotels follow cyclists stage by stage and are a great home-from-home to come back to every day. Relax aboard, whether in your own cabin or in the public spaces, and if one day you don’t feel like cycling, you can stay on the barge all day.
In the words of our clients, a Girolibero bike and barge tour is “A great format and great food”, and even “one of the best holidays ever”! 100% created, organized, and managed by our team.
Fresh local food and fine wines
This is what makes Girolibero’s Bike and Barge holidays unique. Breakfasts, yummy afternoon snacks, and dinners are served on board, while the packed lunch is prepared by you using fresh ingredients.
Our on-board catering is uncomplicated yet subtle, based on local food traditions and seasonal ingredients, plentiful but healthy.
Your floating restaurant also offers a good range of local wines and excellent service. Our chefs boast plenty of experience and their dishes alone are worth the trip!
2025 ready to book
The 2025 departures for our bike and barge tours in Italy and France are now online: check them out, calculate your quote online and start planning your holiday for next year. See tour details here Italy, The waterways of Venice, and France, Provence and Camargue
Bike and barge in Italy (1 tour)
The only itinerary in Italy that combines easy cycling with overnight stays aboard a riverboat. From April to October our Ave Maria and Vita Pugna boats navigate along the waterways of the north: from the Mantova Lakes and Mincio River they glide slowly on the waterway to the Venetian Lagoon, passing through small, unspoiled rural towns of the Po Valley. The food onboard features local traditional dishes, both simple and refined, so good that they alone are worth the trip!
Bike and barge in France (1 tour)
This is one of the best-loved areas of France thanks to a fascinating landscape and numerous relics from Roman times. From Avignon to Aigues-Mortes, many treasures await you: Arles, Nimes, the expansive lavender fields, the wild horses of the Camargue, the places dear to Van Gogh… The Rhone valley and delta abound in beautiful places, easy to reach on a bike or to admire during the hours of navigation aboard the Girolibero riverboats.
Charter a barge
Reserve one of our barges exclusively for your group and plan a special vacation for your club, association or family members. Please be aware that chartering a ship is contingent on availability, and we highly recommend booking in advance.
Contact us to get a quote and secure your spot!
Flat-bottomed boats, in many cases started as river transport barges, later converted into cozy vessels with cabins and common areas. On the outside deck space to park bikes and enjoy sailing; inside, cabins, dining room, crew quarters. Different size and comfort depending on the boat.
Ave Maria
- comfort Gold
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 17 cabins
- 31 guests in low beds plus additional guests in bunk beds (on request)
Ave Maria
- comfort Gold
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi available in common areas
- 17 cabins
- 31 guests in low beds plus additional guests in bunk beds (on request)
Ave Maria is a comfortable river cruise ship made in Italy, built with innovative solutions and where materials were chosen with aesthetics and comfort in mind. It is also a small barge capable of passing under low bridges and sailing on shallow water, typical of Italian waterways. The barge was custom-built using the salvaged hull of a Po River dredge.
All in strict compliance with new and stricter safety and eco-friendly standards.
Ave Maria is an “environmentally sustainable” boat due to energy conservation on
board, purification of dark water, and navigation that does not damage the shores. View more details
Bike and barge tours
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Cabins
- 4 upper deck dbl/twin cabins 11 sq.m (D)
- 10 lower deck dbl/twin cabins 11 sq.m (B,C)
- 3 lower deck single cabins 7.5 sq.m (A)
- the two single beds can become a double bed and most of the double beds can be separated into two single beds
- possible additional bunk beds in some cabins
Features
- Comfortable low beds (2.00 m x 0.80 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Large windows
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Under the beds there is an empty space for luggage storage: H36cm x W112cm x D80cm
Common areas
- Cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- Lounge area for relaxation with a wide selection of board games, books and travel guides, a 55” multimedia screen, and free WiFi
- Sundeck to enjoy sailing and outdoor dining
Vita Pugna
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- sundeck
- WiFi available in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 21 guests in low beds
Vita Pugna
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 21 guests in low beds
After many years as cargo boat Vita Pugna has been totally renewed in the beginning of the 1990s in order to start her new life as floating hotel along the Dutch canals. After a famous long journey from Holland to Italy, this charming Dutch lady has been sailing with great success between Venice and Mantova since 2008. It is a small barge capable of passing under low bridges and navigating on shallow water, typical of Italian waterways. View more details
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Cabins
Cozy and typical wooden furniture design.
10 cabins
- 9 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 1 lower deck twin/triple cabin 7-8 sq.m (C)
- one cabin can accommodate 3 people (3 low beds)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (1.90/2.00 m x 0.75/0.80 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Opening portholes
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Under at least one of the two beds there is an empty space for luggage storage: H40cm x W150cm x D75cm
Common areas
- Spacious air-conditioned restaurant and lounge bar area with free WiFi
- Sundeck to enjoy sailing
Caprice
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi in common areas
- 11 cabins
- 21 guests
Caprice
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi in common areas
- 11 cabins
- 21 guests in low beds
A small and cozy river boat that sails through the heart of Provence and Camargue. Caprice has it all: custom-designed furnishings, freshly varnished wood and bright colors, excellent on-board cuisine, and well-kept cabins and common areas make you feel at home. View more details
Bike and barge tours
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Cabins
- 8 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 2 lower deck double cabins 7-8 sq.m (C)
- 1 lower deck single cabin 7-8 sq.m (A)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (single: 1.90 m x 0.80 m | double: 1.90 m x 1.40 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Fixed portholes (forced ventilation)
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Ample closet space in the cabin for storing luggage
Common areas
- cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- sundeck with tables and chairs to enjoy sailing
L'Estello
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 20 guests
L'Estello
- comfort Silver
- en-suite bathroom and shower
- air conditioning in the whole barge
- WiFi in common areas
- 10 cabins
- 20 guests in low beds
L’Estello sails between Avignon and Aigues Mortes, with the Provençal landscape and the protected wilderness of the Camargue providing the backdrop. This river boat is a classic Dutch barge built in 1937 and then renewed in 2018. It is the ideal accommodation to spend a pleasant bike and boat vacation in nature and relaxation. View more details
Bike and barge tours
See all tours
Cabins
- 9 lower deck twin cabins 7-8 sq.m (B)
- 1 lower deck double cabin 7-8 sq.m (C)
Features
- Comfortable low beds (single: 1.90 m x 0.80 m | double: 1.90 m x 1.40 m)
- En-suite facilities
- Fixed portholes (forced ventilation)
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Safe deposit box
- Ample closet space in the cabin for storing luggage
Common areas
- cozy and bright restaurant hall with large panoramic windows
- sundeck with tables and chairs to enjoy sailing
Assembled and serviced by our mechanics, Girolibero bikes are reliable and easy to ride. You can choose between touring bikes or e-bikes, just perfect if you don’t feel trained enough to spend multiple days on the saddle. Find out more about Girolibero bikes.
The renting of Girolibero bikes includes insurance against theft and irreparable damage.
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Our e-bike is the right choice if you do not feel trained enough to spend more days on a saddle. You can easily adjust the assistance of the electric motor: from a mild pedaling support, to a more intense boost, which is especially useful on starts and uphill climbs. The battery charge covers an entire cycling stage, or even more if you don’t use it at full power all the time, and you can recharge it at the end of the day at the hotel .
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- frame lock
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- battery charger
- battery key
- repair kit
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour. Furthermore, thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off your bike is easier.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
A crew of well-trained travel professionals will be awaiting you on board; like a well-oiled machine that feels almost like family. Our captain, chefs, and stewards are the first to get up in the morning and the last to go to bed at night, coordinating your daily activities. They’ll be happy to share a relaxing moment with you as well, and above all, they love to spoil their guests on board.
Sara Visentin
Filippo Bonafè
Riccardo Tamani
Alberto Reghellin
The tour leader, captain and crew lead the way and is ready to solve any mishaps, but you will also have our office number, which is available 7 days a week.
You will receive briefing materials with all the practical information, details on how to reach the meeting point, and answers to any questions you may have before you leave.
About Girolibero
What’s behind our cycling holidays? Attention to detail, all the expertise of cycling holiday designers and especially consolidated team work. We coordinate every step of the way directly from our headquarters in Vicenza and the seasonal sites in Europe.
Meet our team
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