FAQs
EXCURSION PROCEDURE
WHY SHOULD I JOIN A GUIDED TOUR OF LAGUNA VIVA?
Spending time in nature is essential for a number of reasons that deeply affect our physical and mental well-being. Choosing to participate in one of our guided excursions means relying on expert guides who will reveal the secrets of the surrounding environment, explain the reasons behind the great migrations of fish and birds, and tell you the stories of men from the past who, through their deeds, shaped the territory formerly governed by the Republic of Venice.
ARE THE EXCURSIONS SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE?
Our excursions, on foot, by bike and by kayak, are designed to suit a wide range of participants. Each route has been carefully planned and tested, and classified according to a scale of difficulty from very easy to challenging. This classification takes into account objective parameters such as the length of the route, the elevation gain and the climatic conditions for the period. We understand that assessing your own physical fitness can be difficult, which is why our guides are on hand to provide personalised assistance and advice. Our priority is to ensure that no one is left behind, and we are committed to maintaining a pace that suits the group’s abilities. The travel times indicated in the excursion descriptions are to be considered indicative, as they may vary depending on several factors, including the pace of the group and the conditions of the trail. In summary, we offer well-planned and safe excursions, with a focus on the needs of each participant.
CAN CHILDREN PARTICIPATE?
By consulting the details of each excursion, you can see which excursions are suitable for children and which are less so. When it comes to children, we know that every child is unique; children’s energy levels vary enormously: a 4-year-old may surprise you with their stamina, while an 8-year-old may tire sooner than expected. Our guides, although experienced, cannot predict these individual differences. For this reason, we leave the final decision to the parents, confident that they know their children best. Our goal is for the excursion to be a positive experience for the whole family, young and old alike.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Of course, we believe it is important to share healthy experiences in nature with our four-legged friends. However, not all of our excursions are suitable for them, so the possibility of bringing your dog is specified in the details of each excursion. Please note that dogs must always be kept on a leash.
HOW FAST DOES THE GROUP MOVE?
During our excursions, the guide adapts the pace of the group to suit individual abilities, keeping pace with the slowest member and alternating between walking and strategic breaks. This ensures that the programme runs smoothly and it is stress-free for everyone.
WHAT IF I GET INJURED DURING THE EXCURSION?
Although our excursions do not involve high levels of risk, there is always the possibility of minor trauma or injury during our activities. For this reason, our guides are always equipped with first aid kits and are trained in the use of semi-automatic external defibrillators in accordance with ILCOR 2020/2025 recommendations, as well as in first aid in inaccessible environments.
CAN I PARTICIPATE WITH MY BICYCLE OR MY KAYAK?
Of course. There is no obligation to hire sports equipment for our excursions. Anyone who already has a bicycle or a kayak is free to take part in the excursion, provided that the equipment is in suitable condition.
DO YOU NEED EXPERIENCE TO GO ON A KAYAKING TRIP?
Trying kayaking on one of our excursions is an experience open to everyone, even those who have never tried it before. No previous experience is required to enjoy a trip on the water. However, to ensure a pleasant and smooth experience, we recommend that you carefully evaluate the different tours available and choose the one that best suits your level of physical fitness. This way, you can fully enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the thrill of kayaking in complete safety and tranquillity.
CLOTHING, BACKPACK AND SHOES
HOW SHOULD I DRESS?
Although suitable clothing can vary greatly depending on the type of excursion (walking, cycling or kayaking), the terrain and the season, we generally recommend: breathable layered clothing made from technical materials, hiking boots and a waterproof jacket. To get the most out of every experience, we have compiled a list of useful tips for choosing the right clothing for any time of year:
WINTER
- Thermal underwear
- Technical fleece trousers
- Sweatshirt/fleece that guarantees thermal insulation and breathability
- Winter hat
- Neck warmer
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- High boots above the ankle (to hike on hills and mountains), hiking boots/trainers with a sculpted soul, preferably waterproof (to hike on flat terrain)
Specialised clothing for kayaking and cycling excursions
- Breathable trousers, made of technical material, close-fitting to the body
- Thermal shirt
- Sweatshirt
- Waterproof/windproof jacket
- Waterproof shoes with sculpted soles
- Headgear
- Gloves/mittens
- Complete change of clothes (shirts and T-shirts, trousers, underwear, socks) to leave in the car
AUTUMN/FALL
- Breathable underwear
- Lightweight long trousers
- Sweatshirt, breathable technical fabric top
- Sunglasses
- Headgear
- High boots (for hiking in the hills and mountains), hiking boots/trainers with treaded soles (for hiking on flat terrain)
Specialised clothing for kayaking and cycling excursions
- Breathable trousers, made of technical material, close-fitting
- Thermal shirt
- Lightweight sweatshirt
- Waterproof/windproof jacket
- Waterproof shoes with sculpted soles
- Headgear
- Gloves/mittens
- Complete change of clothes (shirts and T-shirts, trousers, underwear, socks) to leave in the car
SUMMER
- Lightweight shorts or trousers made from technical fabric
- Breathable T-shirt made from technical fabric
- Sunglasses
- Headgear
High boots above the ankle (for hiking in the hills and mountains), hiking boots/trainers with lugged soles (for hiking on flat terrain). We strongly recommend avoiding the use of slippers.
Specialised clothing for kayaking and cycling excursions
- Breathable shorts made from technical fabric
- Short-sleeved T-shirt made from technical fabric
- Waterproof/windproof jacket
- Waterproof shoes with sculpted soles
- Hat
- Complete change of clothes (jerseys and T-shirts, trousers, underwear, socks) to leave in the car
WHAT SHOULD I BRING IN MY BACKPACK?
The contents of your rucksack should be tailored to a number of factors, such as the duration of the hike, the time of day, the degree of difficulty and the weather forecast. In addition to water, we recommend putting a ready-to-eat snack such as dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars and seasonal fruit, paper tissues, a torch/headlamp (especially for night-time excursions), sun cream, mosquito repellent and a waterproof jacket in your rucksack.
For kayaking excursions, instead of a rucksack, we recommend bringing a waterproof bag (if available) to store your personal belongings inside the boat.
We strongly recommend bringing a personal supply of water appropriate for the duration of the excursion and the time of year.
BOOKING AND PAYMENT
HOW CAN I BOOK AN EXCURSION?
To participate in any activity organised by Laguna Viva, reservations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the excursion. Reservations can be made via the guided procedure on the website www.lagunaviva.com, by email, telephone or WhatsApp. To confirm your reservation, you will be required to pay a deposit equivalent to the basic cost of the experience in advance. The remaining amount must be paid on site before the start of the excursion. A booking confirmation will be issued upon payment of the deposit. To speed up the check-in process on the day of the excursion, please bring your booking confirmation with you.
HOW DO I PAY FOR AN EXCURSION?
Payment can be made by bank transfer, PayPal, Satispay and cash. On-site payment is always guaranteed, but only in cash. In fact, due to the orographic characteristics and possible adverse weather conditions, the internet connection may often be unavailable, so we cannot always guarantee electronic payment on site. Payment must be made in full to the guide designated for the excursion. Payment for any additional services, such as equipment hire and meals, must be made on site on the day of the excursion, unless these have been purchased in advance as part of a tourist package.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EXCURSION IS CANCELLED?
In case of inclement weather, the guides reserve the right to cancel the excursion, endeavouring to inform participants at least 24 hours before the start of the excursion. Even if the excursion is confirmed, should weather conditions deteriorate unexpectedly (or in the event of other problems), the guide may decide to change the route or interrupt the activity to ensure the safety of all participants. Your safety is our top priority. In the event of cancellation by the organisers, regardless of the cause, the amount paid will be fully refunded by credit or by issuing a voucher to be spent within 24 months of its issue. In the event of cancellation by the customer with at least 48 hours’ notice before the start of the experience, a full refund or voucher will be issued. For cancellations after this deadline, the deposit paid will be retained in full. In the event of failure to cancel and failure to attend at the time and place agreed for the experience (NO SHOW), the total amount paid will be retained in full.
DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Each excursion is assigned a difficulty level ranging from Very Easy to Challenging. This level is based on objective parameters such as elevation gain, distance, exposure, and terrain type, also taking into account whether the excursion is done on foot or by other means. This remains a general indication to help you adjust according to your physical fitness, age, and experience in using sports equipment such as kayaks or bicycles.
VERY EASY: Flat walking route or with an elevation gain of less than 100 metres. It takes place on forest roads/mule tracks/easy trails. Generally no longer than 6 km. These routes are also suitable for those who are inexperienced in hiking and families with children, equipped with backpacks or trekking pushchairs.
EASY: Route with an elevation gain of up to 400 metres (on foot). It can be undertaken on the types of terrain already mentioned, but also on cycle paths and navigable canals. It generally does not exceed the following distances: 9 km on foot, 6 km by kayak and 25 km by bicycle. No experience or training is required, but a good level of physical fitness is necessary.
MEDIUM: Route with an elevation gain of up to 700 metres (on foot). It can be carried out on the types of terrain already mentioned, but also on trails with slightly challenging or exposed sections. Generally, it does not exceed the following distances: 12 kilometres on foot, 12 kilometres by kayak and 35 kilometres by bicycle. It requires only minimal previous experience, but some training is required.
MEDIUM/CHALLENGING: Route with an elevation gain of up to 900 metres (on foot). It can be undertaken on the types of terrain already mentioned, but also on paths with exposed or uneven sections. Generally, it does not exceed the following distances: 15 km on foot, 15 km by kayak and 50 km by bicycle. It requires some experience and a reasonable level of fitness.
CHALLENGING: Route with an elevation gain of more than 900 metres (on foot). It can be carried out on the types of terrain already mentioned, but also on trails with long stretches that are very exposed or uneven. It can exceed the following distances: 15 km on foot, 15 km by kayak and 50 km by bicycle. Good experience and a good level of fitness are required.
