Renaissance Venice: 5 Luxurious nights

Venice Add-On | Subject to Availability

2019/2020 Dates Coming Soon

Venice is a city of miracles: suspended on a lagoon and secured for centuries by Italy's naval prowess and Mother Nature's watchful eye. She is a city of light: reflected off the ever-changing sea and refracted by the glass made in her coveted fires. Venice is a city of passions: secreted away along covert passageways and dead-ends and flaunted in her opera hall and along the Grand Canal. 

Poised on the Mediterranean, for centuries Venice served as gatekeeper and guardian of Europe, a destination for traders from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. With the powerful and the wealthy from all over the world at her door, Venice became a city of luxury, exotic goods, and decadent splendor. And it was this convergence of the world in this crucible which sparked the era innovation and exploration we now know as the Renaissance. 

Join me as we explore the fascinating city of Venice. We will wander the streets and slip by boat through her canals. We will drink prosecco and eat some of her finest fruits of the sea. And we will take in the gilded splendor of her palazzos and churches -- remnants of a bygone era in a city struggling to find a new direction in the 21st century. 

Renaissance Venice Sample Itinerary 

Subject to change.

Day 10/V1: Travel First Class on the Eurostar from Rome to Venice
The train will be met by a water taxi which will take us to our accommodations.  After everyone is settled in, we will take a walk through the neighborhood and have dinner together at a local restaurant.
Dinner together at a local restaurant.

Day V2: San Marco and the Doge’s Palace
We will begin with a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace, the former political seat of the Serene Republic, and an amazing introduction to the art, history, and culture of Venice. Afterwards, we will make our way to Palazzo Pisani-Moretta -- a fantastic architectural gem featuring Tiepolo ceiling, Murano glass chandeliers, and a view of the Grand Canal from the piano nobile. In the evening we will enjoy a special after-hours tour of the grand Basilica di San Marco including parts of the Basilica that are normally closed to the public.

Day V3: Murano, Torcello, and Burano
We will travel by private boat around the Venetian Lagoon. Venetian glassblowers have been confined to Murano since 1291 as an effort to mitigate the risk of fire within the city. We will visit a glassblowing factory for a tour as well as one of the island’s most beautiful churches. We will stop for lunch on the island of Torcello where we will also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. We will then stop on the island of Burano, the center of Venice’s lace-making artisans.  

Day V4: San Giorgio Maggiore
By boat we will cross the lagoon to visit San Giorgio Maggiore -- a Palladian masterpiece. We will also tour the adjacent Cini Foundation -- a former Benedictine monastery with cloisters -- also designed by Palladio. And we will ascend to the church’s campanile for one of Venice’s most stunning views.

Day V5: Free Day
To explore Venice.
Farewell dinner together at a local restaurant.

Day V6:
Fly home from Venice or depart onward for the rest of your journey.

Interested? Let’s be in touch!

€1700 per person/double-occupancy

€160 single supplement

What's included?

• First-class train travel on the Eurostar from Rome to Venice

• Accommodations: 5 nights in a charming inn in Venice 

• Transfer to hotel from train station and from hotel to airport

• All Entrance fees and Reservations including:
  San Marco
  Doge's Palace
  San Giorgio Maggiore

• Meals:
  All breakfasts
  1 lunch
  2 dinners 

Typical Daily Schedule

8 am: breakfast at the hotel
9:15-9:45 am: morning briefing
9:30 am: depart for daily outing including churches and museums with a stop for lunch on your own along the way
2:30 pm: free time to explore, nap, or shop
7:30 pm: wine and cheese at the hotel before dining with new friends