Venice Discovery Experience

Upon arrival in Venice, make your own way to the hotel and check in (an optional transfer service is available). In the afternoon, join a gondola ride departing from Santa Maria del Giglio at 14:30, 15:00, 16:30 or 17:00. Glide along the Grand Canal and smaller waterways aboard this iconic Venetian boat, once the preferred mode of transport for the city’s nobility.

Along the route, you will see notable landmarks such as the Basilica della Salute, the enigmatic Ca’ Dario palace, and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. The gondola offers a unique perspective on Venice’s architecture and atmosphere, revealing both its grand and more intimate sides. This classic experience is a memorable introduction to the city.

After breakfast at the hotel, join a small group tour departing from the Alilaguna of Giardinetti Reali. This guided experience offers an in-depth look at Venice’s rich history and its most iconic landmarks. We begin in St Mark’s Square, where the guide will share insights into the city’s past, highlighting the main monuments and unveiling the stories behind this world-renowned piazza. The tour continues inside St Mark’s Basilica, often called the Golden Church for its stunning mosaics and treasured relics. The basilica stands as a powerful symbol of Venice’s religious and political influence, housing the remains of Saint Mark, brought here according to legend by Venetian merchants.

Finally, we explore the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that served as the seat of government, court, and prison of the Venetian Republic. Here, you will see the grand courtyard, opulent chambers where history was shaped, and the infamous prisons, alongside remarkable artworks by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and others.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have the morning free to explore Venice at your leisure.

Following lunch, make your way to La Fenice Theatre for a small group tour behind the scenes of one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Built in 1792 in Neoclassical style by Giannantonio Selva, a friend of Canova, La Fenice originally served as a private venue for theatre and opera. After a devastating fire in 1836, it was rebuilt within a year, rising like the mythical phoenix from the ashes. Throughout the nineteenth century, the theatre premiered many famous operas, including works by Rossini and Bellini. With seating for over a thousand guests, La Fenice is celebrated for its superb acoustics, a 98-member orchestra, and a 66-person opera chorus. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural hub, hosting more than a hundred opera performances annually, symphonic seasons led by international conductors, ballets, chamber concerts, and contemporary works by Venetian composers.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to take a final stroll and bid farewell to Venice at your own pace. When ready, transfer to the airport or train station; transfers can be arranged as an optional extra.