Arrival

Upon your arrival in Venice, you check into your double deluxe room at the Hotel Palace Bonvecchiati, perfectly situated in the heart of Venice, right behind St. Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge. You can settle in to your luxurious haven and begin to enjoy Venice.

Rising from the waters of the lagoon like a mirage, the city of canals is unlike any other. A romantic maze of alleys, waterways, squares, majestic palaces, Venice is perennially intriguing. Steeped in history and art, you can follow in the footsteps of Vivaldi, Titian, or Marco Polo, or enjoy a private art collection, learn all about the gondolas and Carnival masks, climb the Renaissance Campanile clock tower for stunning birds’ eye views, or simply explore and enjoy the beautiful shops lining Venice’s streets and canals.

Dinner is on your own this evening in one of Venice’s many fine restaurants or trattorias. A list of recommended restaurants is available for dining ideas.

Venice private guided walking tour, 3.5 hours, easy. Early evening wine tasting in a favorite “osteria”

After breakfast in your hotel, your expert local guide meets you in the lobby and you depart for a walking tour of Venice, the perfect introduction to this unique city. You begin at its heart, the area in and around colonnaded St. Mark’s Square. Your guide not only explains the sites and atmosphere of Venice, but also provides a deeper understanding of the city, what it offers, how real Venetians live here, and how they cope with 30,000 visitors a day. From St. Marks Square with its famous winged lion that strikes the hour, you learn about St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), as well as tour the neighborhoods outside the square. Before the tour concludes, your guide provides excellent shopping and lunch suggestions and ideas for enjoying Venice to the full for the remainder of the afternoon and your time here.

In the early evening, a local representative meets you at your hotel to accompany you to a true Venetian wine tasting. Held in a favorite osteria (traditional restaurant) known for its excellent wines, food, and typical Venetian atmosphere, the experience lasts about two hours and includes an introduction and tasting of three local DOC wines (the “quality assured” certification of Italian wine makers), local cheeses, typical Venetian cicchetti or appetizers, and breads. If you are still hungry, you may dine on your own at one of Venice’s many restaurants.

Private guided tour by water taxi to three islands of the Venetian Lagoon: Murano, Burano, Torcello (4 hours)

After breakfast in the hotel, from your hotel’s private boat landing, you depart with your expert local guide via water taxi to the three main islands of the waters surrounding Venice—Murano, capital of glass making; Burano, known for its lace; and tranquil Torcello. En route, your guide gives an overview of the history of the Serenissima Repubblica (“Most Serene Republic”) and the islands of its archipelago. The island explorations include meeting local people and learning about their way of life, their livelihoods (which are primarily glass and lace), the relationship between the islands and the “mainland” of Venice, and of course, the opportunity to visit the lace and glass workshops and the artisanal techniques that are still used. Completing the tour of the islands, you return with your guide by water taxi back to your hotel or to St. Marks Square, where your guide can advise on shopping and dining to enjoy the rest of the day and evening in Venice.

Departure

Following breakfast in the hotel, you check out and depart at your leisure.