Escursions
Excursions can be some of the most exciting moments of your vacation
We always use the best transport companies in Venice, the best hostesses and escorts and the most experienced city guides. The vehicles we use are the most modern and all with air-conditioning. The drivers are always smartly dressed and respect a no smoking policy. Our guides are highly experienced and licensed by the Venice Tourism Authority.
Please find below some sample shore excursion itineraries, for your perusal. Kindly note that, other itineraries can also be created as per your requirements.
1»
CITY
SIGHTSEEING TOUR
2»
ORIENTATION
TOUR
3»
CITY TOUR ON
FOOT AND GONDOLA RIDE
4»
TOUR OF
THE UNKNOWN VENICE/1
5»
TOUR OF THE
UNKNOWN VENICE/2
6»
DOGE'S PALACE
SECRET ITINERARY
7»
EXCURSION TO
THE ISLANDS
8»
PANORAMIC
VENICE AND THE ISLANDS
9»
TORCELLO AND
THE ISLAND OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE DESERT
10»
GONDOLA
SERENADE (with musicians)
11»
GONDOLA
SERENADE BY NIGHT (with musicians)
12»
GONDOLA
TOUR (without musicians)
13»
GONDOLA
TOUR BY NIGHT (without musicians)
14»
GONDOLA TOUR BY NIGHT (without musicians) & CONCERT IN 17th C.
CHURCH
15»
NIGHT
CRUISE ON THE LAGOON
16»
NIGHT
CRUISE & DINNER
17»
MASTERPIECES OF VENICE
19»
THE
JEWISH GHETTO
20»
VENETIAN
MASK DECORATION MINI-COURSE
21»
VENETIAN
EXPERIENCE: “BACARO” AND BOAT TOUR
22» PADUA AND THE VENETIAN VILLAS ALONG THE BRENTA RIVER
23» THE FAMOUS PALLADIAN VILLAS
24» THE BRENTA RIVER ON THE BURCHIELLO BOAT
25» VALPOLICELLA WINE TOUR – Half Day
26» VALPOLICELLA WINE TOUR – Full Day
29» THE LAKE GARDA
30» RAVENNA AND THE POMPOSA ABBEY
32»
CORTINA
AND THE DOLOMITES
33»
VICENZA
AND PALLADIO
34»
THE
WALLED TOWNS OF THE VENETO REGION
35»
TRIESTE, THE CASTLE OF MIRAMARE AND THE POSTOIJNA CAVES (SLO)
36»
VERONA
OPERA FESTIVAL IN THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Meeting the official English speaking guide in St. Mark's Square and guided visit to the historical centre of the city and its monuments. Itinerary: St. Mark's Square, the Basilica (inside visit according to the queue), Doge's Palace, Prisons and Bridge of Sights. The tour lasts about 2 hours. The tour includes a private guide and entrance fee to the Doge Palace. For the visit of the Basilica suitable clothes are requested. For security reasons sacks, bags or knapsacks are not allowed inside the Basilica, also the visit during liturgical celebrations is not permitted. It can be operated every day at 09.00 h am, 11.00 h am, 01.00 h pm and 03.00 h pm.
ORIENTATION TOUR
Meeting the official English speaking guide in St. Mark's Square and guided visit to the historical centre of the city. Itinerary: St. Mark's Square, the Basilica (inside visit according to the queue), its monuments from outside and Rialto Bridge The tour lasts about 2 hours. This tour ends with an optional visit to a glass factory and lasts about 2 hours. Tours includes a private guide. It can be operated every day at 09.00 h am, 11.00 h am, 01.00 h pm and 03.00 h pm.
CITY TOUR ON FOOT AND GONDOLA RIDE
Meeting the official English speaking guide in St. Mark's Square and, walking through the typical lanes of the old medieval Venice, you will reach the gothic Frari Church, where the guide will show you paintings by Tintoretto, Tiziano e Bellini. After the visit you will take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and the back canals. For technical reasons the tour may be effected vice-versa. This tour lasts about 2,5 hours. Tour includes a private guide, entrance free to the Frari Church and a 30 minutes gondola ride. It can be operated every day at 09.00 h am, 11.00 h am, 01.00 h pm and 03.00 h pm.
TOUR OF THE UNKNOWN VENICE/1
Meeting the official English speaking guide over the Rialto Bridge and walk up to the Grand Canal, cross over the Rialto Bridge, visit the market area and the first church in Venice “San Giacomo di Rialto”. We continue to the “Erberia” (fruit and vegetable market) and then to the “Pescheria” (fish market). Then we cross over the Grand Canal with the typical Venetian boat “gondola” over to Santa Sofia. From here we walk through Strada Nova (new Street). We pass many typical canals and small bridges to arrive at Scuola della Misericordia and the church of Santa Maria de la Misericordia. We then continue to “La Corte Vecchia”. Our tour continues to the lovely Gothic church “Madonna dell'orto” founded in the mid 14 th century. Then we cross the small canal “Rio Madonna de l'Orto”, pass Palazzo Mastelli (Tintoretto's house) and arrive at “Campo dei Mori” and we walk along a typical little Venetian “fondamenta” (Fondamenta della Misericordia). Here there are many small bars and restaurants where local meet for a typical drink (the “spritz”). Then we continue to the oldest Jewish district the “Ghetto di Venezia” and the tour finishes at the bridge of Guglie. The tour lasts about 2 hours. It can be operated every day at 09.00 h am, 11.00 h am, 01.00 h pm and 03.00 h pm.
TOUR OF THE UNKNOWN VENICE/2
Meeting the official English speaking guide in St. Mark’s Square and walk through San Zaccaria, Santa Maria Formosa and SS. Giovanni e Paolo Church. Inside visit of the largest church of Venice, called the Pantheon of the Doge’s. Here there are many small bars and restaurants where local meet for a typical drink, the “spritz”. Then we continue via the famous Corte Botera (a private typical Venetian courtyard – the visit might be not permitted) and via the Miracoli Church to the Rialto Bridge. The tour finishes at the Rialto Bridge after having seen the most beautiful Post Office you have ever seen. The tour lasts about 2 hours. It can be operated every day at 09.00 h am, 11.00 h am, 01.00 h pm and 03.00 h pm.
DOGE'S PALACE SECRET ITINERARY
The Secret Itinerary through the Doge’s
Palace covers the rooms and chambers where the delicate work of some of the most
important bodies in the Venetian administration was carried out. The tour offers
an interesting insight into the civil and political history of the city, its
public organisations and administration of justice.
The itinerary starts in the rooms
of the Ducal Notary (a sort of
secretary to the various magistracy within the Venetian Republic) and the
“Deputato alla Segreta” (who kept a special archive for the Council of the Ten,
containing reserved material). From here, one passes up to the Office of the
Great Chancellor and the beautiful Chamber of the Secret Chancellery, whose
walls are lined with cabinets containing public and secret documents. Then,
visit to the Torture Chamber, also known as the Chamber of Torment, a very
disturbing place directly linked with the prisons. From the Torture Chamber you
pass to the so-called
Piombi.
The name comes from the lead (piombo) covering on the roof. These cells were
used exclusively for the prisoners of the Council of Ten - either those accused
of political crimes, those awaiting sentence or those serving short prison
terms. Located directly under the roof, the six or seven cells were formed of
wooden partitions to which were nailed sheets of iron. Though so vividly
described by
Giacomo
Casanova, the Piombi did in
fact offer prisoners much better conditions than those in the pozzi (the wells),
the terrible cells on the ground floor of the Doge’s Palace.
From the
attic, two long flights of stairs bring one to the Chamber of the Inquisitors, a
much-feared magistracy that was set up in 1539 to protect state secrets. From
here, one passes through to the Chamber of the Three Head Magistrates, chosen
every month from amongst the members of the Council of Ten. The decoration of
the ceiling and of the side compartments are by artists such as Giambattista
Zelotti, Giambattista Ponchino and
Paolo Veronese.
Through a
secret
passageway within a wooden
cabinet, the Chamber of the Three Head Magistrates is linked directly to the
Chamber of the Council of Ten, from which one can go on to visit the rest of the
Palace.
The visit
must be pre-booked, and can only take place -
at certain
times, conditions and
limited number of persons - in the company of a special Doge’s Palace guide who
will explain all the special features of each individual room. The reservation
is subject to reconfirmation by the Doge’s Palace Direction.
This English speaking guided tour lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and
it is operated everyday. For INDIVIDUALS, only in the MORNING (regular tours at
9:55am, 10:45am and 11:35am). For GROUPS (min. 10/max. 25 persons per group),
only in the AFTERNOON (group tours starting from 1:30pm every half an hour
according to availability). During the hottest summer months (July/August), the
secret itinerary tours in the afternoon may be limited or suspended due to the
high temperature under the Doge’s Palace roof.
EXCURSION TO THE ISLANDS
Departure from St. Mark's Square's waterfront with reserved private motor-launch and visit first to the Island of Murano, where one can watch the antique art of making glass in a glass blowing factory. Then one proceeds to the characteristic Island of Burano, with its strong colours and light contrast, fisher island and renowned for the lace making. Last Island Torcello, the first settlement in the lagoon, with its old Cathedral and its atmosphere of remote venation past. The tour lasts about 5 hours. The tour includes a private tour escort and entrance fee to the Torcello Basilica. It can be operated every day.
PANORAMIC VENICE AND THE ISLANDS
Departure (departing point to be decided) with reserved private motorboat. Panoramic tour of St. Mark's Basin with view of the most important building and monuments of the historic centre of Venice. Stop in the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore for a panoramic view of the St. Mark's Basin and for the visit of the Church built by Palladio in 16th C. Continue to Murano for the visit of an old glass-blowing factory with demonstration of the old glass-blowing techniques. Then journey to Burano, famous for its coloured houses and for the production of the “Venetian Lace”. In Burano a typical Venetian ‘cicchetto' (snack) will be offered to the clients in one of the local bars of the island. From Burano journey through the Northern part of the Venetian Lagoon to the Cannaregio district, to visit one of the most secret and unknown areas of the city of Venice: the Jewish Ghetto. Walking tour through the old Ghetto, then journey back to Venice (disembarking point to be agreed). The tour lasts approx 6 hours and includes a private tour escort and snack on the Island of Burano.
TORCELLO AND THE ISLAND OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE DESERT
Departure by reserved motor-launch with your guide on a tour through the Venetian lagoon. Stop at the Island of Torcello and visit to the oldest Basilica of Venice, the 7th Century Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its lovely Byzantine wall mosaics. After the visit to the Church, you continue to the island of St. Francis of the Desert, a real oasis of peace in the middle of the Venetian Lagoon. T he island is very ancient. Traces which have emerged from the subsoil reveal it was frequented by the Romans, and there are finds from the lst, 4th, and 5th Centuries A.D.. The name is of popular origin and goes back to the fIrst half of the 15th Century, when the island was abandoned for more than twenty years because of the insalubrious state of the lagoon. The Franciscan story begins in 1220: St. Francis landed there with an anonymous companion on his return from the East and was greeted by the joyful singing of the swallows (the account of the prodigy is narrated by St. Bonaventura in the Legenda Maior). In March 1223 the island was donated to the Order by Jacopo Michiel, who belonged to the doge's branch of the family and was nephew, on his wife's side, to the patriarch of Grado, Angelo Barozzi: at the time of the donation two churches were in existence, of which one was dedicated to the Saint. Guided visit to the Island (gardens and cloisters) by a local English speaking Friar. At the end of the visit, return to Venice. This tour lasts 4 hours.
GONDOLA SERENADE (with musicians)
Departure during the day (from 10.30 h am to 05.30 h pm) from the Gondola's pier. A romantic “promenade” by gondola with live music on board which will make you dream along the canals of Venice. The tour includes the gondola, two singers and last about 35 minutes.
GONDOLA SERENADE BY NIGHT (with musicians)
Departure in the night (from 05.30 h pm to 09.30 h pm) from the Gondola's pier. A romantic “promenade” by gondola with live music on board which will make you dream along the canals of Venice. The tour includes the gondola, two singers and last about 40 minutes.
GONDOLA TOUR (without musicians)
Departure during the day (from 10.30 h am to 05.30 h pm) from the Gondola's pier. A romantic “promenade” by gondola which will make you dream along the canals of Venice. The tour includes the gondola ride which last about 35 minutes.
GONDOLA TOUR BY NIGHT (without musicians)
Departure in the night (from 05.30 h pm to 09.30 h pm) from the Gondola's pier. A romantic “promenade” by gondola which will make you dream along the canals of Venice. The tour includes the gondola ride which last about 40 minutes.
GONDOLA TOUR BY NIGHT (without musicians) & CONCERT IN 17th C. CHURCH
Departure in the night (at 7.00 h pm or 07.30 h pm, according to the beginning time of the concert) from the Gondola's pier. A romantic “promenade” by gondola (40 minutes ride) which will make you dream along the canals of Venice. After the gondola ride, you will be accompanied by our escort to the concert place, one 17 th Century Venetian Church. Your seats will be reserved. The tour includes the 40 minute gondola ride and a concert in one of the 17 th Century Venetian Churches (reserved seats).
NIGHT CRUISE ON THE LAGOON
Departure in the night for special atmospheric night cruises on the Venetian Lagoon. Cruise along the Guidecca Canal past St George's Island and the Southern Lagoon, to the beautiful islands San Servolo and San Lazzaro, famous for its ancient Armenian Monastery. Continue along the Lido, a long strip of land dividing the Lagoon of Venice from the Adriatic Sea, to the island of Murano, which is renowned for its glass manufacturing. As you proceed deeper into the lagoon, pass the island that serves as Venice's cemetery, before cruising back towards Venice. See the Arsenale, a vast walled dockyard in eastern Venice which was once the most efficient industrial complex in Europe during the Serenissima Republic. The panoramic night tour also passes the ancient church of San Pietro di Castello, the city's cathedral until the beginning of the 19 th Century. Live music on board and possibility of dancing. Open bar at disposal of the guests. Return to the departure place in the night. The tour lasts approx 3 hours. Operated for groups only.
NIGHT CRUISE & DINNER
Departure in the night for special atmospheric night cruises on the Venetian Lagoon. Cruise along the Guidecca Canal past St Gorge's Island and the Southern Lagoon, to the beautiful islands San Servolo and San Lazzaro, famous for its ancient Armenian Monastery. Continue along the Lido, a long strip of land dividing the Lagoon of Venice from the Adriatic Sea, to the island of Murano, which is renowned for its glass manufacturing. As you proceed deeper into the lagoon, pass the island that serves as Venice's cemetery, before cruising back towards Venice. See the Arsenale, a vast walled dockyard in eastern Venice which was once the most efficient industrial complex in Europe during the Serenissima Republic. The panoramic night tour also passes the ancient church of San Pietro di Castello, the city's cathedral until the beginning of the 19 th Century. Live music on board and possibility of dancing. Dinner will be served on board with the following menu: Aperitif/Fish horse d'oeuvre/fish lasagne/fish filet/vegetables/dessert/wine/water/limoncello. Return to the departure place in the night. The tour lasts approx 3 hours. Operated for groups only.
MASTERPIECES OF VENICE
Departure by reserved motor-launch, reach San Tomà, along the Grand Canal, where your experienced guide will introduce you the programme before starting the walking tour. Reaching Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, this huge Gothic Church is said to be the most splendid cathedral in Venice after St. Mark’s Cathedral. Some of its outstanding treasures are works by Titian and Bellini. Proceed on foot to the near Scuola Grande di San Rocco to visit this illustrious school, which houses an impressive and rich collection of art from the Italian Masters. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is named after Saint Roch, to whom the power of healing the plague-stricken was attributed. A winding route of narrow streets and courtyards will lead you to the Ca’ Rezzonico Palace, where a stop will be made to relax and sip a cup of coffee before visiting this venue. There you will have a special opportunity to step inside a former Grand Canal Venetian Palace that now houses the Museum of 18th Century Venice. Climb the grand ceremonial staircase leading to the first-floor Ballroom with its remarkable ceiling fresco and then continue to the Long Gallery and other lovely rooms. At the end of the visit, a motor-launch will be available at the Palace pontoon to take you through a short portion of the Grand Canal. Cruising through this section of the Grand Canal you will see Palazzo Grassi, the Accademia Bridge, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni which now houses the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and, passing La Salute Church, reach St. Mark’s basin before returning to the departing point. PLEASE NOTE: each motor-launch contains max. 10 persons. This tour lasts 3 hours.
VENETIAN WATERWAYS
Departure by reserved motor-launch with your guide on a narrated tour through the Venetian canals and lagoon. After boarding, proceed to the city's nerve centre, the 2,3-mile inverted "S" of the Grand Canal. Police and fire brigades zip by in their boats, grey customs boats make their rounds, tradesmen, deliverymen ply their services, wedding and funeral processions take place; everything in Venice travels by water. Cruise past baroque and Renaissance palaces, some housing museums and exquisite private art collections. During the course of your exclusive ride of Venice, a stop will be made to give you an opportunity to disembark and enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Venetian café. Complimentary coffee and a sample of the traditional Venetian biscuit will be served before returning to the departing point. PLEASE NOTE: each motor-launch contains max.10 persons. This tour lasts 2 hours.
THE JEWISH GHETTO
Departure by reserved motor-launch, travelling a short stretch of the Grand Canal, to your drop-off point near Santa Lucia Railway Station, where your walking tour begins. On your way to the Ghetto, you pass the Baroque Church of Santa Maria degli Scalzi, built 1660-1680, and the Church of San Geremia, built by Carlo Corbellini in the mid 18th century. Next to the church is one of Venice's most imposing palaces, the Palazzo Labia. The Jewish Ghetto - Venice was home to a sizeable community of Jewish merchants by the 12th century. In 1516, the Great Council ordered all Jews confined to a small island. Jews were not allowed out of the ghetto after sunset; they were forced to wear distinctive clothing, and were barred from most professions save medicine. Learn about the district's past as you tour the narrow streets. Jewish Museum: enjoy free time for a non-guided visit to this small museum displaying a collection of religious artefacts from the 17th to 19th centuries, including lamps, silver vessels and textiles. The museum is located in a small, shaded square with a central fountain. Synagogues: your guided walk visits at least two of the district's synagogues, decorated with richly carved woodwork. At that time in Venice, it was considered prestigious to occupy a building's upper stories; most of the synagogues are only accessible by steep flights of stairs. After your visit to the Ghetto, join your tour escort for a stroll through the Cannaregio market district before returning to the departing point. This tour lasts 3 hours. It is reccomended not to take the tour on Saturdays as the Synagogues and most shops are closed.
VENETIAN MASK DECORATION MINI-COURSE
Departure by reserved motor-launch, travelling a short stretch of the Grand Canal, to your drop-off point near San Barnaba (Accademia Bridge). From there to the mask shop Ca' Macana and beginning of the mask decoration course. These mini courses are on decorating papier-mâché masks. They are very short and are presented in English and can be afforded by all. No dangerous materials or tools are used. The method of presenting the activities is the result of long experience working with all types of groups. Each group has its own particular needs and these activities can be easily adapted, giving the right emphasis to the theoretical part without taking anything away from the practical. The aim of these activities is very ambitious and not only practical: on one hand we intend - indeed, we guarantee - that each participant, even those with no experience of manual work, will create a genuinely well-finished mask of which he or she can be proud and which will be a gratifying reminder of their stay in Venice. But this practical experience is also an excellent opportunity for learning at least some of the more fascinating aspects of how people lived in Venice in days gone by. Venice is the only city in the world where the mask became an object of common, general, everyday use for most of the year. Before, during and after Carnival, life in Venice was conducted incognito and was extremely free and adventurous. There is an enormous wealth of historic facts, anecdotes, customs and practices associated with the mask; a real treasure of knowledge that is hardly ever re-evaluated and offered to the public. They want those who participate in our activities to get to know that world because they will be fascinated by it, and because they can then better understand the meaning of that strange object, the mask, which they will soon be making or decorating with their own hands. The practical activity is therefore always preceded by a theoretical explanation which, though brief, gives the mark of quality to the whole experience and which, according to the particular needs of the group, entails the use of more or less sophisticated explanatory techniques. Mini course: decorating of a typical Venetian mask in papier-mâché. Time required: 2 ½ hours (including the theoretical part). Maximum number of participants: 40. Each participant can choose one of the numerous unpainted models from our range. These are antique masks from the Carnival, from Venetian daily life and the theatre (Commedia dell'Arte) or modern, fantasy models. The theoretical explanation allows everyone to understand the meaning of each mask, making the choice itself more gratifying. Each participant may also choose from seven different practical work possibilities: two colouring techniques suggested by us that are typical of traditional masks or, for those wishing to freely express their creativity, fantasy decoration with five finishing techniques. At the end of the work each participant can take home their own mask which will be professionally finished and unique. This tour lasts 3 hours. Operated for maximum 40 persons.
VENETIAN EXPERIENCE: “BACARO” & BOAT TOUR
Meeting the official English speaking guide in St. Mark’s Square. Our two hour combined boat and walk tour includes the Grand Canal by boat for the first hour, which is a wonderful relaxing way to start your evening, then our guide will accompany you through the narrow alleyways to a typical Osteria/Bacaro where you can enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and taste the local ‘cichetti’. On hand you will meet Venetians who are truly enthusiastic about the wines and Venetian “Tapas” served daily in this city. To experience the Venetian life, you must sample the wonderful “in-house” made snacks that the locals swear by along with a glass or two of wine to make your trip to Venice complete. At the end of the tour you can either stay in the Bacaro or our guide will walk you back to the Rialto bridge. The tour lasts about 2 hours. It can be operated every day at 6.30 pm.
PADUA AND THE VENETIAN VILLAS ALONG THE BRENTA RIVER
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Full day excursion with English speaking tour leader. Walking tour of Padua (St. Anthony's Basilica, Historic Centre). On request, possibility of visiting the Scrovegni Chapel with its famous frescoes by Giotto from the beginning of the 14th century. Free time. Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre. Afternoon journey through the ‘Riviera del Brenta' where the most imposing Venetian Villas from the 16th and 17th C are situated. Stop at Villa Pisani and Villa Widmann Rezzonico Foscari for a visit to their interiors, and later final stop for a glance from the coach to the Palladian Villa Foscari, called 'La Malcontenta'. The tour includes a private tour escort, guided tour Padua and entrance fee to the Villa Pisani and Villa Widmann. OPERATED: Every day except Mondays according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 5.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
THE FAMOUS PALLADIAN VILLAS
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. The tour features 3 villas by Italian Renaissance Architect Andrea Palladio; Villa Emo, Villa Barbaro and Villa Foscari (also known as La Malcontenta) and a visit to the enchanting village of Asolo. In Asolo there is also an included lunch in a local restaurant where you can taste some dishes of the regional cuisine and local wines. The tour includes the entrance fees to the following 3 Villas:
The Villa Emo by Andrea Palladio, unencumbered by lavish decoration, surrounded by elegant gardens, its simple form makes it one of Palladio's purest creations as a Villa architect. Enjoy the Zellotti's frescoes, one of Palladio's favourite frescoes artists, as we tour the villa. And learn why many people regard this as the most beautiful of the Palladian Villas.
The Villa Malcontenta by Andrea Palladio, along with its famous legend, is one of Palladio's most famous villas. Built for the wealthy Foscari family, it sits in splendid isolation beside the waters of the Riviera Brenta Canal. As we tour the interior we'll discuss how Palladio's architecture evolved. The design of this Villa reflects the transition of Palladian architecture from his early years of imitating other architects to a period when he began to realize his own unique designs.
The Villa Barbaro by Andrea Palladio, the most richly decorated of all Palladian villas, is famous for its delightful Veronese frescoes. As we tour the interior, we'll discuss the beautiful frescoes of the Villa and the famous conflict between Palladio, the patron Marcantonio Barbaro and Veronese as they wrestled over the design and ideology of the building. Providing the perfect interlude between villas, we'll visit the enchanting village of Asolo and take an included leisurely lunch at a local Osteria where we'll enjoy delicious regional cuisine and some of the local wines. Asolo, "the pearl of Veneto", is arguably one of the most beautiful hill-towns in Italy. OPERATED: Every day except Mondays according to availability of escort & vehicle 9.30 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
THE BRENTA RIVER ON THE “BURCHIELLO” BOAT
Departure from the city maritime terminal “Stazione Marittima” by boat. Full day excursion with English speaking tour leader (only over 15 persons). Journey from Venice by the Burchiello® boat. Along the River you can admire more than 50 villas, or better, the summer residences of the Venetian nobility, with stop at the 3 most important villas: Villa Pisani (nowadays National Monument, ordered by the Pisani family between 1736 and 1756 to celebrate the election of the Doge Alvise Pisani) Barchessa Valmarana (a structure of the XVII C. frescoed Michelangelo Schiavoni better known as "il Chiozzotto") e Villa Foscari "Malcontenta" (wonderful inside, it is one of the most beautiful and important works by Andrea Palladio. Erected in 1571 by Nicolò and Alvise Foscari, which still belongs to the noble family). Possibility of having lunch on board the boat or in a local restaurant. End of the cruise in Stra. From there by car/minibus/coach to Padua. At the arrival in Padua, free time. Walking tour with tour escort of the city centre. Then, return by coach to Venice. The boat used for the navigation along the Brenta River is equipped with central heating and conditioning, bar, toilette, microphone, stereo HI-FI and television. Comfortable seats and tables are available for the guests. The tours includes a private tour escort (only over 15 persons), the boat tour and the free visit to the 3 villas as indicated in the programme. OPERATED: every day according to availability of escort, boat, vehicle 8.30 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: maritime terminal Stazione Marittima. EXTRA: Optional 3 course lunch in restaurant: Euro 26,00 per person (drinks included). Optional 2 course lunch in restaurant Euro 16,00 per person (drinks included).
VALPOLICELLA WINE TOUR - Half Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Half day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Travelling through the Veneto countryside, we enjoy the beautiful landscape made of vineyards and wineries. The Valpolicella area is rich in colours and perfumes with its hills full of vineyards. The mild climate with the perfect balance between rains and temperature, the variety of soils with the passion and ability of the producers makes Valpolicella wine one of the best in the world. You’ll taste 3 different wines with one Amarone reserve 97’ in one of the most important wineries. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 1.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: wine tasting Euro 22,00 per person.
VALPOLICELLA WINE TOUR - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. We'll visit celebrated vineyards each producing their own unique versions of the Amarone - "the big dry one". Along with other local wines like the Valpolicella Classico and rare Recioto. With scenic back-roads to explore, as well as enjoying some of the delicious local cuisine at a restaurant with spectacular vistas for an optional lunch, and visiting an enchanting hill town with distant views of Lake Garda this day will provide you with memories that will last you a lifetime.
During the day we'll visit a vineyard to savour the Amarone, and other wines of the Valpolicella wine region of Italy. The region boasts numerous types of indigenous grapes that have been naturally selected over the last 2,000 years. Like the famous wines of Bordeaux, the wines of the Valpolicella are made from a blend of these indigenous vines. Each vineyard, has its preference in regards to the types and quantity of grapes used in the production of their wines.
On this tour you'll enjoy two included full wine tastings and vineyard tour of a selected vineyard in the Valpolicella wine region. At each vineyard a local expert sommelier will conduct a tour of the vineyards' facilities so that you fully appreciate the unique methods of production utilized to make the very special wines of the Valpolicella. With this new knowledge at hand, you'll be able to truly appreciate the unique and diverse wines that you'll taste at each vineyard. Noting the subtle differences between the different wines produced, and the varied tastes they produce on your palate. In between vineyards, we'll traverse the soft undulating hills that stretch like fingers from the high mountains above to create the various valleys that are home of production of the Amarone & Valpolicella wines. These hills covered with vines, olive and cherry trees provide the perfect scenic back-roads to explore passing through enchanting villages. Along the way, we'll pause for views of Lake Garda and a chance to visit an Ancient pagan temple that dates back to Roman times at one of the most enchanting of the Valpolicella hill towns. You'll have an additional opportunity to taste the local wines at an optional lunch at a delightful local restaurant, where you can enjoy distant views of the plains and the surrounding hills covered in vines. Savour a delightful lunch of home-made pastas and regional dishes, accompanied by local wines to complete a very special day in the Valpolicella wine region. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
VERONA & AMARONE - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Come discover the magic of Verona & the Valpolicella with us! We arrive in Verona at Piazza Bra where the world famous 1st century outdoor coloseum is located (the third largest in Italy). It has over 22,000 seats under the stars, and everything from operas and concerts take place. You will enjoy a 2 hours guided tour + some free time to see the house of Juliet (as in Romeo & Juliet), the historical Piazza dell Erbe and some of the exclusive shops around the city. After Verona, we will head on over to the Valpolicella region for a delicious included lunch in a typical local restaurant. With time permitting we will have a chance to visit the 13th century church S. Giorgio with it’s splendid altar dating back to 712 a .d., and the beautiful panoramic view of Sirmione and Lake Garda . From here we drive to a vineyard to have a guided visit and learn more about the famous “Amarone” wine of the region. We will enjoy an included tasting some of the different wines they produce and have a chance to purchase a few bottles to take with you such as Amarone & Recioto. Then just sit back and enjoy the views as we head back to Venice. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 6.00 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
VERONA AND THE LAKE GARDA - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. The “Romeo and Juliet” city with the famous Arena amphitheatre. This tour includes the visit of the main monuments like: Castelvecchio medieval castle, the S. Zeno Maggiore Abbey, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe. On the way back we visit Sirmione on the Garda lake to admire “La Rocca Scaligera” and the famous archaeological area known as the “Catullo caves”. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 9.30 am - 6.00 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
THE LAKE GARDA - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Arrival at Sirmione. Free time. Boat tour from Sirmione to Bardolino. Free time. Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre. In the afternoon, return to Venice via motorway. The tour includes a private tour escort and a public boat tour Sirmione/Bardolino. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 6.00 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre: Euro 23,00 per person (drinks not included).
RAVENNA & THE POMPOSA ABBEY TOUR - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Journey along the State Road "Romea". Ravenna, the city of the mosaics, it is a Unesco World Heritage City with its collection of paleo-Christian and Byzantine churches. We visit S. Vitale Abbey, Galla Placidia Mausoleum, the Neonian Baptistery. The church of S. Apollinare Nuovo with its splendid mosaics dating from VI and VII century. Just outside Ravenna we find the S. Apollinare in Classe Basilica, the old port of the city with its huge mosaic. On the way back to Venice we visit the Pomposa Abbey dated before 1000ac. The church has three naves following the classical Ravenna model. Inside there are frescoes, majolica, terracotta friezes and Byzantine sculptures. Its Monastery is famous for the invention of the music pentagram by Guido Monaco. OPERATED: Every day excluding Monday according to availability of escort & vehicle 9.30 am - 6.00 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional 3 course lunch in a local restaurant: Euro 22,00 per person (drinks not included).
THE PROSECCO WINE TOUR - Half Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Half day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Close to the Veneto Dolomites we reach Conegliano and Valdobbiadene area - through the famous Italian White Wine Road – well known for its ‘Prosecco' (Italian sparkling white wine). We visit one of the vineyards to learn the techniques and the specific characteristics of this Italian white wine with an expert oenologist. We enjoy a wine tasting and the wonderful sceneries around this hilly area. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 1.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
CORTINA AND THE DOLOMITES - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car or minibus. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Passing through tunnels with astounding views of canyons and valleys that suddenly appear, the scenery is absolutely breath-taking. The Dolomites are this and much more. Arriving at Cortina “the pearl of the Dolomites”, we take time for a stroll and take in the picturesque views of the mountains. We then continue our trip towards the natural lake of Misurina (1756 mt.) to admire the scenery of the “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” (three Peaks of Lavaredo 2999 mt, where take place the “Tre Cime Alpin Marathon”), the “Sorapis” (3205 mt.), the “Marmarole” where we stop for an included tasty rustic lunch at Misurina (1812 mt.). After lunch we journey on the other part of the Dolomites to admire the bigger “Auronzo lake” and on the way back to Venice, time permitting, we make a last stop at Longarone to see the view of the Vajont valley. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma.
VICENZA AND PALLADIO - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Guided sightseeing tour on foot (2 hours) of Vicenza including visit to the Palladian ‘Teatro Olimpico’. Free time. Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre. Afternoon journey to Maser for the Visit of the Palladian Villa Barbaro (16th C.). Then, return to Venice. The tour includes a private tour escort, guided tour in Vicenza and entrance fee to Teatro Olimpico and Villa Barbaro. OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 9.00 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre: Euro 23,00 per person (drinks not included).
THE WALLED TOWNS OF THE VENETO REGION - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Walking tour of Bassano and tasting of the local famous brandy ‘grappa'. Visit to the Lower Castle of Marostica with exhibition of the real costumes used during the famous ‘live chess game' and of the ‘chess game square'. Optional 4 course lunch in a typical restaurant around the hills of Bassano. In the afternoon, stop at the mediaeval town of Asolo. The tour includes a private tour escort, visit to the Lower Castle of Marostica and lunch in a typical restaurant.OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 9.00 am - 5.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional 4 course lunch in a restaurant in the hills around Bassano: Euro 30,00 per person (drinks not included).
TRIESTE, THE MIRAMARE CASTLE AND THE POSTOIJNA CAVES (SLO) - Full Day
Departure from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach. Full day excursion with English speaking tour escort. Journey along the panoramic coast-road to the Castle of Miramare, Residence of Maximilian of Habsburg. Walking through the Park and guided visit to the Castle. Then journey to Trieste. Guided walking tour of the historic centre and free time for an optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre. In the afternoon, departure from Trieste to reach, through the border between Italy and Slovenia, the small village of Postoijna. Guided visit into the Postoijna caves where nature has created a wonderful world of stalactites and stalagmites. The first descent into the caves is made by an electric train. Then on foot. At the end of the visit, journey back to Venice. Passport is required. The tours includes a private tour escort, the guided visit to the Miramare Castle and the Postoijna Caves.OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 8.30 am - 6.30 pm. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional 3 course lunch in a restaurant in the town centre: Euro 19,00 per person (drinks not included).
VERONA OPERA FESTIVAL IN THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE - Full Day
Departure in the afternoon from the city terminal by air conditioning car, minibus or coach with English speaking tour leader (only with a minimum number of 15 people). Journey along the motorway to Verona. At the arrival, free time for a free visit of the town and for optional dinner in a central restaurant. Then, entrance in the Roman Amphitheatre of Verona for the Opera performance. At the end of the performance, return by coach to Venice. This tour is operated only from the end of June to the end of August. The tours includes a private tour escort (only with a minimum number of 15 persons), free time in Verona and entrance tickets to the Arena.OPERATED: Every day according to availability of escort & vehicle 2.00 pm - 3.00 am. MEETING POINT: Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma. EXTRA: Optional dinner in a restaurant in the town centre: Euro 20,00 per person (drinks not included).
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