Italian Barge Trip
 

We are looking to do a self drive barge trip in Italy. I have found plenty of information on trips in France but few in Italy. Has anyone done a barge trip in Italy? Any suggestions? Thanks!

? Italy does not have the same network of canals that France does. I've never heard of such a thing in Italy.

It is likely due to geography. Italy is a narrow peninsula, and most major population centers are close to the coast or just a short distance upstream.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a river cruise that begins in Venice and moves west -- -along what river, I don't know. I don't know if there is a self-drive option.

Italy is a dry country, and as J62 points out, I don't know where canals were ever used to transport goods.

I had heard of self drives in Venice through Crown Blue Lines. I know nothing else about it.

This really surprised me. I never knew that there was cruising in the Venice area. Looking at the Crown Blue site I see that there are even locks on some of the rivers.

It might be enjoyable, except I wonder if there is comparable infrastructure along those waterways, as there is in Northern Europe. Marinas, water and fuel points, restaurants near the mooring places, and neat cities to explore, make cruising in France special.

Has anyone on the thread done both, so we can get a comparison?

:-)