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La Bella Vita Barge Cruise Review

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Continued from page 4

Andrea Chin and Ivana Veic

ABOVE: Andrea Chin, the chef during our cruise, prepares to announce the day's lunch menu while hostess Ivana Veic mixes a drink at the bar.

Dining on La Bella Vita

Captain's dinner table setting on LA BELLA VITAFood is an essential part of the barge-cruising experience, with an emphasis on quality and what the French call terroir. On La Bella Vita, passengers enjoy meals that are prepared from fresh ingredients by a chef and a sous-chef.

Venetian cookies at breakfastBreakfast: Each day starts off with breakfast, with serving hours depending on the day's cruising and touring schedule. (On a typical day, breakfast might start at 7:30 or 8 a.m. and continue for an hour and a half or more.)

A breakfast buffet offers croissants, rolls, ham, cheese, cereals, fruit, yogurt, and the occasional cake or tart, or Venetian cookies (see inset photo). If you wish, you can order hot dishes, such as bacon and eggs or pancakes, from the kitchen.

 Lunch dessert on LA BELLA VITALunch. Depending on the touring schedule, lunch is either a buffet or a three-course meal with a set menu, followed by cheeses and dessert. (Lunch is always served on board--you'll never be sent ashore with a box lunch.) Some of the lunches have geographical themes, such as "Lazio," "Campagna," or "Ferrara."

Branzino with zucchini and potatoes on LA BELLA VITADinner. This is the culinary high point of the day, with a different regional theme every night. A typcal dinner consists of an appetizer, a first course (such as risotto or pasta), a main course, two different cheeses, and dessert.

Special dish on LA BELLA VITA (chicken cordon bleu)Special food requirements: When you book your cruise on La Bella Vita, you'll be asked to indicate any food allergies, dietary needs, or food preferences on a guest questionnaire. The chef will then be able to plan special dishes just for you.

Wines and other drinks

Drinks case on LA BELLA VITAOn La Bella Vita, as on most barges, all drinks (including wine) are included in the fare. You can get mixed drinks and espresso at the bar before or after dinner, and you're welcome to serve yourself when the hostess isn't on duty.

In the dining room, you'll find a Nespresso-style coffeemaker and a refrigerator case stocked with beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks.

The hostess, who doubles as a sommelier, serves two wines (normally white and red) at lunch and dinner, choosing wines that fit the menus and any regional themes.

Next page: Tours, activities


In this article:
Introduction
La Bella Vita: The ship
Cruise itinerary
Cabins, suites
Dining
Tours, activities
Crew, service
Is La Bella Vita right for you?

Also see:
La Bella Vita: Day-by-day cruise photo diary
Satellite map of cruising region and high points
Venice for Visitors