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Boat excursions

Fascinating river itineraries in the heart of the Nature Reserve "Mincio's Valleys", very interesting to be explored by boat, because wild, untouched and unspoiled.
A unique opportunity to sail through reeds, water lily spread in the myriad of channels and waterways crossing the wide expanse of water; admire the rarest birds and follow the sunset from the water, with the far away outline of the town of Mantua, among the lotus flowers. Natural and unusual landscapes for people that prefer a more discreet and authentic tourism to the crowded beaches, surrounded by an uncontaminated nature, that introduces itself different at any season, with charm and atmosphere, proudly shown by the local boatsmen and their knowledge.

Regular runs, seven days a week, from March to October, from the docks of Grazie of Curtatone (behind the Sanctuary) and, on request from Mantua or Rivalta. We offer our services to individual, small and large groups, also for special requests and in the winter season.
We transport up to 100 people with our three boats, and two are a new echo-compatible boats, suitable to transport disabled, and carrying also bicycles.

As well, it is possible to have picnic lunch on the boat or by the shores of the river and the lake. During the summer fascinating excursions are organized during the full moon. The three dockings at Rivalta, Grazie and Mantua offer as well further areas of interest.
In Rivalta, the “Centro Parco” museum offers you the opportunity to know the old river works.
In Grazie you can visit the Sanctuary of Mary of the Graces, erected in 1399 by Francesco Gonzaga Lord: a unique wooden structure, adorned with 53 statues recently restored, a true example of popular devotion.
You can have lunch in one of the typical restaurants, stay in the country inns of the area, visit the town of Mantua, with the important medieval historical centre, with splendid monuments, like the Ducal Palace, of Gonzaga's family, the square of Erbe, the Broletto arcade, the Basilica of St. Andrew and the Renaissance Palazzo Te.
Bird-watching  
The Nature Reserve consitutes the heart of the Park of the Mincio and it contains an enormous ancient variety of flowers and animals: particularly the birds are numerous, also because a lot of kinds nest here. Red and grey herons can be admired, germani-ducks, coots, moorhen, hawks, svassi-birds and a lot of other kinds. Although it is easy to see them in flight or on the water, there are privileged positions, adequately camouflaged, from which it is possible to photograph them fairly close.
Cat-fishing  
We don't know if it was a good or a bad think, but the cat-fish of the Danube has also colonized by now the Mincio river. The temperature of the water favours the development of fish of a large size. The long experience of fishing, united to the deep knowledge of these waters, allows the youngest of the boatmen to furnish the whole necessary support to practise cat-fishing (3 people maximum).
Canoa - Kayak

The waters of the Mincio river lend themselves very well for the practise of this sport. In these calm waters you will have no difficulty descending and can quietly paddle inside the Nature Reserve and discover its exceptional beauty: Info


The Mincio's boatmen
Grazie of Curtatone (MN)
Phone +39 0376 349 292 - Fax.+39 0376 349 355 - E-mail: barcaioli@fiumemincio.it