Day One – Arrive in Venice
Arrive at Venice Marco Polo International Airport and transfer to your ship. Settle in, unwind, and savour your first evening on the enchanting Venetian Lagoon.
Day Two – Venice
Arrive early at the Doge’s Palace to explore its splendour in complete tranquillity. Stroll through a local Venetian neighbourhood and soak in the rhythms of daily life in an authentic residential quarter. In the evening, conclude the day with a private, unforgettable after-hours lighting ceremony at St. Mark’s Basilica, free from the usual crowds.
Featured excursions:
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A Walk in Venice and Doge’s Palace Visit – Highlights include the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square, rich with Renaissance masterpieces and political history, including the Bridge of Sighs. The tour continues through the Castello district, once home to the Arsenal and now the Biennale, where every day Venetian life unfolds among centuries-old homes, canals, and lively streets.
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Private After-Hours Visit to Saint Mark's Basilica – Enjoy exclusive evening access to St. Mark’s, admiring its mosaics and marble floors in the peaceful evening light, free from crowds.
Day Three – Venice & Burano
Begin your morning in one of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, either Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, return to the ship for a scenic sail across the lagoon to Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, enjoy free time to wander the island at your own pace, when the crowds have thinned. Burano’s vividly painted fishermen’s cottages create a truly enchanting, artist’s paradise.
A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared this evening.
Featured excursions, choose between:
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Vicenza with Teatro Olimpico – Visit Vicenza, renowned for its shopping, architecture, and Palladio’s Teatro Olimpico – the oldest Renaissance theatre. Enjoy a light and music show before free time for lunch in town.
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Padua Walking Tour – Explore medieval Padua on a guided walking tour, visiting its grand squares, churches, and palaces. Discover its university legacy with ties to Galileo and Copernicus, see the vast Prato della Valle and the Basilica of Saint Anthony, then enjoy free time to explore and dine on your own.
Day Four – Burano & Chioggia
Explore Venice’s northern lagoon and its enchanting islands. Begin with Torcello’s famed basilica alongside an art historian, then wander through Mazzorbo’s vineyards and colourful Burano after lunch. Or, opt to spend the afternoon watching Murano’s master glassblowers at work.
Featured excursions:
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Torcello: Hidden Treasure of the Lagoon – Visit Torcello, once the lagoon’s greatest city, now a quiet village home to the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Enjoy an early, crowd-free viewing of its 11th-century Last Judgment mosaic with expert insight, then relax with coffee at a local osteria.
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Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration – In Murano, watch master glassblowers continue an 800-year tradition of craftsmanship. Explore the gallery’s wide range of styles, from classic to modern, and even purchase a piece to take home.
Day Five – Chioggia
Today, you’ll explore the coastal charm of Chioggia, often called “Little Venice” for its canals and colourful facades. Stroll through the historic centre, admire its churches and fishing harbour, and immerse yourself in local life with a visit to the bustling market, where vendors showcase fresh seafood, produce, and regional specialties.
Featured excursions, choose between:
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Bragozzo Ride with Tastings at Ca’ Zen – Visit Chioggia, a charming “Little Venice,” and explore it from the lagoon aboard a traditional bragozzo sailboat. Onshore, tour the historic Tenuta Ca’ Zen villa and enjoy a tasting of local wines, olive oil, honey, and cheeses
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Chioggia, a historic fishing village founded in the 5th century, was once Venice’s “pantry” and remains a bustling fishing port with one of Italy’s largest fish markets. On Thursdays, its main street hosts Corso del Popolo, a lively market offering affordable goods for locals
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Let's Go: Biking Chioggia – Take a leisurely bike ride along Chioggia’s beaches, visiting Lusenzo Lagoon, watching the fishing boats, and continuing to Isola dell’Unione
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A Noble Country Villa and Its Wines – Explore Veneto’s winemaking heritage with a sommelier, visiting Dominio di Bagnoli for a private tasting of wines from indigenous grapes. Tour the historic estate, also a working farm, and see its granary and other crops
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Palazzo Goldoni – Visit a 17th-century Chioggia estate once hosting playwright Carlo Goldoni, whose stay inspired his comedy Le Baruffe Chiozzotte. Enjoy a relaxing tea on the terrace accompanied by a local string musician.
Day Six – Choggia
This morning, embark on a scenic sailing excursion through the Po Delta, where the mighty Po River meets the Adriatic Sea. Glide past serene wetlands, lush marshes, and tranquil waterways, spotting local wildlife along the way. Learn about the region’s unique ecosystem and fishing traditions from your guide as you take in the natural beauty. Later, enjoy a leisurely lunch on board as the boat sails back toward Venice, offering stunning views of the lagoon and surrounding landscapes.
Featured excursions, choose between:
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Po Delta Sailing - Sail through Italy’s UNESCO-listed Po Delta nature reserve, enjoying refreshments while exploring its scenic wetlands. Spot wildlife including storks, herons, flamingos, and possibly red deer and Camargue horses
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Castello del Catajo Visit – Visit the Euganean Hills and tour a majestic castle once a Habsburg resort, admiring its frescoed interiors. Enjoy a guided walk through its gardens or explore on your own before returning to the ship.
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Jewish Ghetto (additional fee) – Explore Venice’s historic Jewish Ghetto with a local guide, starting at the Synagogue museum. Discover its 16th-century origins, the hidden synagogues, and the resilient community that thrived despite harsh conditions.
Day Seven – Venice
As your water taxi gracefully glides along Venice’s winding side canals and the majestic Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in true Venetian style at the Rialto Bridge. This iconic stone arch, spanning the narrowest point of the Canal Grande, is alive with bustling shops and charming restaurants, offering a perfect blend of history, commerce, and the city’s vibrant daily life.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured excursions, choose between:
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Venice Walk with Gondola Artisans Visit – Start early to explore Venice’s quieter Dorsoduro district, enjoying a walking tour of its charming streets before visiting a gondola workshop to see local artisans at work.
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Do as the Locals Do: Venice Walking Tour – Explore Venice’s historic Rialto Market, where locals shop for fresh produce and seafood under centuries-old arches. Guided by an expert in Venetian cuisine, wander the colourful stalls, enjoy some free time for a gondola ride, and finish with a traditional ombra e cicchetti—Prosecco paired with Venetian bites at a local bacaro.
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Ca' Macana Mask Atelier – Masks are a hallmark of the Carnival of Venice, celebrated for their intricate designs and diverse styles. Visit a leading artisan atelier to watch these stunning masks being crafted by hand.
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Rowing Venice – Venice is famous for its distinctive rowing style - standing and facing forward - made iconic by gondoliers and used in traditional batellina boat races. Known as Regate, this sport has thrived for over a millennium. Learn the technique in a hands-on lesson with Row Venice, a non-profit of female rowers dedicated to preserving the tradition and promoting women in a male-dominated sport.
Day 8 – Disembark
You time aboard the S.S. La Venezia as come to end. Talk to us about extending your stay further in Venice or book rail tickets to another Italian city and extend your Italian holiday!
