I've been following the news about this project for some time, and I'm happy to hear that it has finally come to fruition. For the first time, tourists are able to travel, by boat alone, from Ascona, Switzerland, to Venice. A group of 16 Swiss tourists booked the inaugural cruise, which travels through Lago Maggiore, the Ticino River, the Po River, and finally, the Adriatic Sea before arriving in Venice. This aquatic trek covers 670 kilometers, and stops in eight points of interest, the first being Isola Bella for a tour of the Palazzo Borromeo, and the last being a ride right into the Grand Canal in Venice. Four trips are planned for 2010, always with a focus on culture and food. For those of you who have already done it all, or have fond memories of cruises on French canals, this is one to add to your list.