The most frequent questions and answers

• During which period of the year is the service provided?
• On what days do you operate?
• Does the excursion also take place on holidays?
• Are reservations obligatory?
• Will I receive my ticket/voucher at home?
• May a person different to the one who made the booking to turn up for boarding?
• Does the boat still navigate in bad weather?
• Is there a guide on board?
• Are seats numbered?
• Are the boats equipped with a bar, toilets ...?
• Are the boats suitable for people with reduced mobility?
• Are there reductions for persons with disabilities and their carers?
• Is lunch mandatory?
• Is lunch served on board?
• Are there alternatives to the proposed restaurant?
• Do the half-day excursions include a return bus?
• Can I stop in Padova or Venice without subsequently making use of the return bus?
• In the case of the excursion initiating in Padova, may I drive myself to Villa Pisani and start the excursion from there? Will the bus then bring me back to my car at the end of the day?
• Is luggage permitted on board?
• Are pets allowed on board?
• Is it possible to pay by bank transfer?
• Is it possible to pay in cash?

PER I GRUPPI:

• What is a group?
• Is there any gratuity?
• What tariffs do children and senior citizens, who are part of a group, pay?
• Is it possible to have an exclusive excursion?
• Is luggage permitted on board?
• Does the bus picking up the group from Venice pay the ZTL tax?
• Where is the departure of groups scheduled in Padova and Venice?

• During which period of the year is the service provided?
  The Burchiello is operative from March to October on dates which are revised annually.
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• On what days do you operate?
  The excursion operates on all days of the week excluding Monday.
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• Does the excursion also take place on holidays?
  Yes, so long as they don't fall on a Monday.
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• Are reservations obligatory?
  No, reservations are not obligatory but are advised so as to avoid turning up at the departure point and being unable to board the vessel due to lack of space.
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• Will I receive my ticket/ voucher at home?
  It is sufficient to print the confirmation email from our on-line booking system or quote the reservation code to our guide on boarding.
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• May a person different to the one who made the booking to turn up for boarding?
  The person taking the excursion need not be the person who made the booking - it may be a gift to friends or relatives. It is important to present the voucher received on confirmation of booking or quote reservation for boarding.
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• Does the boat still navigate in bad weather?
  The excursion is still guaranteed in case of rain however in the case of severe weather or force majeure a bus will be provided which will provide the same journey along the Brenta.
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• Is there a guide on board?
  A guide will be present for the duration of the excursion.
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• Are seats numbered?
  Seating is not numbered and passengers may sit where they please in both the covered and terraced areas (the latter refers to the vessel 'Burchiello 6V4' only).
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• Are the boats equipped with a bar, toilets ...?
  Yes, all boats are equipped with heating/ air-conditioning, toilets and a bar (coffee and soft drinks only).
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• Are the boats suitable for people with reduced mobility?
  Yes, our boats are accessible/ able to accommodate are limited amount of persons with reduced mobility, however due to certain architectural barriers such as the stairs leading to the villas kindly contact our office for further information.
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• Are there reductions for persons with disabilities and their carers?
  For both persons with a disability (provided with certification issued by competent authority) and their carers, they will be charged the same rates as "Senior UE Citizens over 65".
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• Is lunch mandatory?
  No, lunch is optional and is not included in the excursion fee. Passengers are free to book lunch at a local restaurant or bring along their own packed lunch.
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• Is lunch served on board?
  No, lunch is served at 'Il Burchiello' restaurant in Oriago.
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• Are there alternatives to the proposed restaurant?
  For those who decide not reserve lunch at 'Il Burchiello' restaurant, it is advised to bring along a packed lunch which one may consume on board the boat. In the event that you decide on the day of your excursion that you wish to make a lunch reservation at 'Il Burchiello' kindly ask the guide to check for availability.
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• Do the half-day excursions include a return bus?
  The return bus is not scheduled for half-day trips but only for whole day trips. Half-day passengers may return using public transport (www.actv.it) which connects Venice and Padova every half hour.
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• Can I stop in Padova or Venice without subsequently making use of the return bus?
  In case you wish to stay on in Venice or Padova after the tour has finished kindly note that the return by bus is only valid for the day of the excursion.
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• In the case of the excursion initiating in Padova, may I drive myself to Villa Pisani and start the excursion from there? Will the bus then bring me back to my car at the end of the day?
  Those who wish to bring themselves to Stra and park at Villa Pisani may do so by all means; ensure that you are at the Villa Pisani entrance by 08:45am where you will join the guide and rest of the tour. The bus returning passengers from Venice to Padova at the end of the excursion does not pass near Stra.
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• Is luggage permitted on board?
  Luggage is not allowed on board, however if you wish to contact our office we are willing to help resolve the issue.
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• Are pets allowed on board?
  Guide dogs are allowed on board.
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• Is it possible to pay by bank transfer?
  To pay by bank transfer kindly contact our office to speak with an operator; reservations will only be confirmed on receipt of payment.
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• Is it possible to pay in cash?
  Cash payment is allowed for those who turn up for the excursion on the day.
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FOR GROUPS ...

• What is a group?
  A group is considered to be a minimum of 25 people who have own means of land transport (bus).
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• Is there any gratuity?
  For every 25 paying guests, the 26th person is given a free excursion (excluding villa entrance and lunch).
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• What tariffs do children and senior citizens, who are part of a group, pay?
  For passengers in a group not falling in the 18-65 year age bracket, the rates stated in the Table shall apply.
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• Is it possible to have an exclusive excursion?
  For large groups who which to travel separately from other passengers or/and wish to have a slightly altered excursion, they may rent one of our boats exclusively.
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• Is luggage permitted on board?
  Normally luggage is not allowed on board, however in the case of exclusive rental of a boat, and space- permitting, passengers may bring their own bags on board; these will have to be loaded/ unloaded by the passengers themselves and are the sole responsibility of the owner/s for the duration of the excursion.
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• Does the bus picking up the group from Venice pay the ZTL tax?
  We will send the appropriate documentation in order to get the "pass service exemption" (www.asmvenezia.it) to which groups which sailed on 'Il Burchiello' are entitled to.
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• Where is the departure of groups scheduled in Padova and Venice?
  For day trips departing from Padova, groups must be present at the Villa Pisani (Stra) main entrance by 08:45am. Those groups departing from Venice must be present at "Stazione Marittima" at 08:00am, at "Pontile Della Pieta - Riva degli Schiavoni at 08:45am or at the entrance of Villa Foscari a Malcontenta at 10:30am.
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