The Middle River route through the "Mesopotamia of Italy"

Along the first section of the itinerary, known as the Via dell'Archeologia, you'll be swapping your sails for pedals. You set off by bike from the little harbour of Rovigo or the mooring point at Bosaro on the Canalbianco, to reach the Museum of the Great Rivers of Rovigo, which tells the story of this land of waterways. While in Rovigo, don't miss the monastery of St Bartholomew with its olive groves and beautiful cloisters.

If you want another taste of travelling on two wheels, you can leave the boat at Lama Polesine and cycle down the San Beda cycleway before jumping back onboard and heading towards Adria, the city that gave the Adriatic Sea its name. Adria was once a centre of Etruscan, Greek and Roman civilisations and has an archaeological museum that tells the city's long history.

From the mooring point at Bosaro, you'll sail to Pizzon di Fratta Polesine to join the Tra Ville-Castelli route. But before you go, take a moment to admire the Castle of Arquà Polesine, originally erected in the 12th century and rebuilt by the Este family three centuries later. The castle, with its beautiful frescoes, can be reached by bicycle. Don't miss the Room of Virtues and the Room of Phaethon. Back on course, continue as far as Mulino Pizzon to see the 16th-century Villa Badoer, one of the famous Palladian villas in this area. The wings or 'barchesse' at each side of the main villa are home to the archaeological museum. A short distance away you can also see Villa Grimani-Molin-Avezzù. Sailing for another short stretch, you'll come to Ca’ Bernarda with its beautiful gardens and picnic area. It's also the start of a cycling trail to the Antiche Distillerie Mantovani.

From Pizzon di Fratta Polesine, head along the Via delle Acquetowards Canda, where you can visit Villa Nani Mocenigo, built in 1580 by Vincenzo Scamozzi, a pupil of Palladio. Continuing on as far as Bagnolo di Po, take a break at Parco Vallalta to enjoy lunch in the green countryside. Then it's back onboard and off to Trecenta. From here there is a cycle path leading to the "gorghi", which are bodies of water lying on an ancient riverbed of the Po. The site is now a protected area of wetland and a habitat for many species of bird. The most famous lake is the Gorgo della Sposa or Bride's Whirlpool.

Information provided by Viaggio Italiano