VENICE
Sophisticated Italy proposes the following half or full day tours in this fascinating city between sea and sky.
A TASTE OF VENICE (FULL DAY)
This program has been designed by Sophisticated Italy to provide first
–time visitors to Venice , as well as cruise excursionists a spectacular
“taste” of the wonders of the Serenissima Republic. The tour
starts at 9 am, with our special professional English speaking guide,
with a private introductory walking tour of the city's highlights—St.
Marks Square and the Basilica with its golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace
with its masterworks by Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto, and the Bridge
of Sighs. This introductory walk continues, through Venice 's narrow “calles”
and arriving at the Rialto Bridge , built in 1580 and finishes at the
central market area with its open-air fish and fruit/vegetable market.
At 11 am, the visitors will be picked up by a private motor launch and
an English speaking hostess for a tour of the Grand Canal—with its
magnificent architectural jewels and palaces—from the Ca ‘Rezzonico to the Ca D'Oro, the Accademia Museum and the Guggenheim
Collection, the Palazzo Grassi and the Venice Casino. The entire history
of this magnificent city from one's own private motor yacht!
Finishing this tour, the clients will be taken through the Venetian lagoon
to the island of Murano —and a tour of this island made world famous
for its precious glass. They will be taken into a special (non-touristy)
factory to see how Murano glass is made.
The private boat will return to Venice .With a panoramic tour of the Lagoon—passing
the Arsenale, the Lido, the Biennale area and the Chiesa di San Pietro
di Castello.At this point, the clients will be escorted for a fabulous
lunch at a very special restaurant where the warm and hospitable
owners will ensure a memorable meal and a fitting end to an incredible
day.
DISCOVER VENICE (4 hrs.)
Discover Venice by visiting the main highlights of this fascinating city.
Begin at St Mark's Square, the former political center of the Venetian
Republic, including a peek inside St Mark's Basilica. Stroll the passageways
of Venice and discover urban development including a visit to the busy
central area of Rialto .
VENICE 'S HIGHLIGHTS (4 hours.)
St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons
A must for any visitor to Venice --St. Marks Basilica with its golden
mosaics and its marble floor introduces the visitor to Venice 's intrinsic
links to Constantinople . A visit to the Doge's Palace, seat of Venetian
power for 900 years, then across the famous Bridge of Sighs to the Prisons
and then one last view at the Giants's staircase.
FROM GOTHIC TO THE RENAISSANCE (4 hours)
Explore Venice 's architectural development between the end of the 15th
and the beginning of the 16th century. The highlights of this pleasant
architectural walk include St. Zaccaria, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the Colleoni
Monument and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
500 YEARS OF VENETIAN PAINTING (4 hours)
Visit the world famous Accademia Galleries, featuring Venetian paintings
from the 14th to 18th Centuries, including masterpieces by Bellini, Giorgione,
Carpaccio, Tiziano, Tintoretto, Veronese and Tiepolo.
ARCHITECTURE THROUGH THE AGES: FROM THE RENAISSANCE
TO NEOCLASSICISM (4 hours)
A survey of 3 Venetian masters whose creations characterize the Venetian
skyline: the Church of St. George the Great (on the island of the same
name), designed by Palladio; the huge Salute Basilica, the most innovative
and ambitious jewel of the Venetian Baroque, and along the Zattare, the
18th century Santa Maria dei Gesuati by Giorgio Massari.
A VENETIAN PALAZZO: CA REZZONICO AND THE 18TH
CENTURY (4 hours)
Visit one of the most flamboyant residences on the Grand Canal, inviting
the visitor to relive the splendors of one of Venice's great patrician
families.
Designed by Baldassare Longhena and completed for the Rezzonicos by Giorgio
Massari (who added a Ballroom to the original plans), the Palazzo --where
Robert Browning lived and died--has frescoed ceilings by Tiepolo, original
18th century furniture, glass chandeliers and ceramics plus the only outstanding
Canalettoes in Venice.
PALLADIO'S VENICE (4 hours)
Walking in the footsteps of Goethe and Indigo Jones, lovers of classical
art and architecture will see the following major works of Andrea Palladio:
St. Giorgio Maggiore, the monastery island facing St. Marks Square and
the majestic Church of the Redentore on the Island of Giudecca .
THE GUGGENHEIM IN VENICE (4 hours)
Peggy Guggenheim's Palazzo on the Grand Canal now houses her world-famous
collection of modern masterpieces. A great American museum with a very
special Venetian flavor.
DISCOVER DORSODURO (4 hours)
A tour of the Dorsodouro district, Venice 's “Rive Gauche”
lined with open air cafes. . Visit the former fishing village of San Nicolo
dei Mendicoli, with stops at the Church of San Sebastiano , entirely decorated
in frescoes and paintings by Paolo Veronese ending along the sunny promenade
Giudecca Canal.
THE JEWISH GHETTO (4 hours)
An in depth tour of the original Jewish Ghetto--its museum, its magnificent
Synagogues, monuments and on going Jewish life including the Gothic church
of la Madonna dell'Orto where the painter Tintoretto is buried.
EXPLORING THE LAGOON (6 hours)
A leisurely boat tour (approximately 6 hours ) touching the principal
islands of the Venetian lagoon: Torcello--isolated in the middle of the
lagoon with its 1000 year old Cathedral, filled with incredible Byzantine
mosaics, Burano with its lovely brightly colored houses and famous lacemakers
and of course Murano, famous the world over for its artistic glass production.
CICHETI & NIZOLETI (4 hours)
A late morning or early evening tour--not recommended to teetotalers.
A gourmet discovery tour centered around the Rialto Bridge area. Drink
wine and eat "cicheti"(snacks) at the local "bacari"
(winebars)--wandering through Venice 's calle, you will understand much
more about the people and life of old Venice.
GRAND CANAL AT SUNSET (4 hours)
Take a private boat ride down the Grand Canal and marvel at the views
of Venice , which have inspired so many artists. End this perfect evening
at one of the local wine bars.
VENETIAN LIFESTYLE AND FASHION (4 hours)
This tour into the past begins with Ca' Morcenigo, an 18th century palace
with a well preserved collection of Venetian clothes, fabrics, furnishings
etc. Then on to one of the very few artisan studios still weaving velvets
and brocades on the original looms. Finally--a discovery tour of the mask
making artisans that have made the Carnival in Venice famous worldwide.
IN THE TRACKS OF POETRY (4 hours)
A walk through literary Venice --with passages from the works of writers
who created the poetical myth of Venice . Proust, Lord Byron, Henry James,
Thomas Mann, Ernest Hemingway and others. Words come to life!!
VENICE WITH THE KIDS (4 hours)
Visit the secret areas of Doges' Palace including the torture chamber
and prison from which Casanova escaped. Discover where Marco Polo lived
in nearby medieval quarters.
MURANO GLASS TOUR (4 hours)
For 800 years, the tiny island of Murano has been renowned for its art
of glassmaking, from tableware to chandeliers to jewelry. Many independent
glass artists still thrive in on this island and this tour will provide
a visit to their workshops.