About Venice and Friuli

Surrender to the pleasures of Veneto

The waters of Veneto, Italy, are like two different sisters. Venice bustles with glitz and the action doesn’t stop. But there’s a quieter sister waiting to welcome you on river cruises in Italy, and she’s just as beautiful. Laid-back isles and seaside canals invite quiet times. Rivers thread inland to intriguing cities and towns, rounding out your vacation as you explore and relax!

 

Map showing where the Venice and Friuli boating region is in Italy

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If you are unable to find your perfect vacation on our website please contact our Boating Experts who may be able to help create a bespoke offering for you.

Venice and Friuli map

Venice and Friuli Region map

 = Le Boat Base           = Canal           = Navigable river           = No navigation beyond this point

 

The perfect boating region for...

History & Heritage

Carnival Masks Venice

Venice is a treasure trove of history and heritage! Include time for it in your history vacations, and then cruise to Murano for its glassware, Burano for its lace and Jesolo for its Villa Saccagnana. Tour Villa Pisani on the lovely Brenta Riviera!

Golf

Golf Balls spilling from bag

First-rate golf clubs abound in Veneto, inspiring golf weekends on your canal boat cruises in Venice! Tee off at the Golf Club Villa Condulmer near Casale! It's a super 18-hole course set on a palatial estate! The course at Grado is one of Italy's best!

Swimming

Lignano Beach Italy

Relax in the warm sunshine on the golden beaches of Adriatic resorts! Take a dip in the sea to cool off or enjoy a refreshing swim in a pool! The waters of the Friuli region are particularly inviting for lagoon swimming. Grado should top your list!

Gastronomy

Tomato and Mushroom Bruschetta

Italy is known worldwide for its fantastic cuisine! In addition to pizza, pasta and gelato, sample delicious antipasti creations, amazing bruschetta and fresh fish and seafood. Combine with fine Italian wines for a dining heaven. Alternatively, stroll the colorful markets and buy local produce for a delicious meal on board.

Useful information

Download our region guide

Check out our region guideWe've produced a handy PDF guide for this region to give you an overview of all the stops and things to do along the waterway.

Download our region guide

More than 120 islands are ensconced within the beautiful Venetian Lagoon. Sand bars and barrier beaches protect the shallow waters from the open Adriatic, creating the largest wetlands in the entire Mediterranean and one of Europe’s richest habitats for birds and other marine life. Checking out a Veneto Italy map shows that Venice is more than just a premiere city. It’s a much larger area collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

As you head north up the coast from Venice, you enter the Friuli region of Northeast Italy. This area is less traveled. On the way, you pass the Sile, Piave, Livenza and Stella rivers. Each is distinct in character, playing host to wetlands, woodlands and sandy beaches. The little cousins of the Venetian Lagoon create an idyllic setting, one that makes you want to linger and enjoy!

In around 400 A.D., barbarians from Northern Europe swept into Italy, raiding and pillaging as they came. Some inhabitants fled to the islands off the mainland of present-day Venice. The open water afforded some protection. The settlement thrived on fishing and trading, and by the mid-1400s it was at the height of its power. It was known as the Queen of the Adriatic. The array of 150 canals and 400 bridges in the city make it one of the most unusual places in the world.

When cruising in the Venetian Lagoon near Venice, traffic can be quite heavy. Thus, some previous boating experience is recommended. The waters of the Friuli region are much less crowded and better suited for beginners.

Take a look at our waterway and lock closures page to find out if there are any scheduled cruising restrictions that will affect your vacation plans.

All the lift bridges and locks on the Venetian Lagoon and the surrounding waterways are automatic. You will find wooden posts (briccole) marking the channels for cruising.

Opening hours: Automatic opening on demand

Public holidays: Locks are closed on some public holidays.

Lock Closure dates: Please be aware about the lock closure dates by local authorities. During that day(s), you won’t be able to go through the locks. For more details and questions, please contact our sales team. Brenta river locks closed on Mondays. All other locks open all times (including bank holidays)"

When you’re near Venice, you can only moor in designated public mooring places. Space is quite limited, especially in the busy summer season. Take a water taxi (vaporetto) to your tourist destination in the Venetian Lagoon instead of hassling over a place to park the boat.

When traveling from Casale, exclusive private moorings are available for Le Boat customers. These moorings are located on Mazzorbo (Burano), Vignole (for Venice) and in Chioggia - areas which are well connected with the public transport (the famous water bus called Vaporetto) to help you visit central venice and all the surrounding islands. They do not have access to water or shore power and availability is limited - they are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. This fee will be automatically added, as a cost, to your Italy booking and is included in the prices quoted on our website when applicable.

In the Friuli region from our base in Precenicco, you’ll find a wider selection of moorings.

To find out how to get to each of our bases in this boating region, as well as what facilities and amenities are available at each base or nearby, click on the relevant base below:

  • Rental of the boat and its onboard equipment
  • A fully equipped kitchen
  • Towels and linen for all passengers
  • A boat handling demonstration prior to departure
  • Technical support
  • On-board maps and visitor information
  • Passage through locks
  • A compulsory moorings fee has been included in the price quoted. See compulsory costs for more details
  • Optional vacation extras
  • Boat damage waiver
  • Running costs (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear) - charged by the engine hour (by the litre in Scotland).
  • Travel to and from the base(s)
  • Waterside services if you use them (i.e. moorings where a charge is applicable, pump-out if needed, water, etc)
  • Cancellation plan & any travel/personal insurance
  • Food and drink

Interactive map of Venice Fruili

Le Boat base = Le Boat base  Point of interest = Point of interest

 

Great to see...

Discover Treviso, an old medieval town where you can appreciate a good reprieve. Stop here to discover wonderfully winding streets, and then meander your way to a good restaurant where you can taste local specialties based on the radicchio, the red salad. Note: Treviso is not accessible by boat but can easily be reached by bike or taxi from Casier.

Casier is a traditional town with a lovely historic church and pedestrian square. Across from the public docks is the Burci Cemetery which hosts traditional Venetian wooden cargo boats, abandoned here 50 years ago. They are easily visible thanks to a network of wooden footbridges.

Casale-Sul-Sile is a beautiful town aside Treviso that you may access by bicycle or car. Visit here the great natural park of Sile River and its marvelous landscapes ; a perfect mix between silence and beauty.
Torcello is a welcoming island that used to be very important and populated in the past. Now, it is a peaceful island with beautiful monument to visit, such as the great basilica Santa Maria Assunta. Come here to find beauty and quietness.

Mazzorbo is linked to Burano by an old, wooden footbridge. It’s best known for Venissa, the ancient estate encircled by medieval walls which has been restored by the Bisol family, a family of winemakers. Renowned for making the best Prosecco in Italy, they have now introduced a vineyard to Mazzorbo.

Must see
Colourful houses of Burano

In Burano, discover the painted houses made in an artistic mosaic styl