Tours in Venice

The city build on the water will open to you in a myriad of enchanting sceneries...our programs are developed through the wonders offered by centuries of human activities.

The tours will cover the most known places but also the less beaten tracks, to let discover to our customers some unexpected and curious aspects of Venice.

Our proposals:

Historical tours

Doge's Palace and Secret Trails

The picturesque oriental walls of the Doge's Palace enclosed two different and aspects of the same political organization: its magnificent public face with sumptuous halls of power, elegantly decorated with masterpieces by some of the greatest artists of Venetian painting, where foreign princes and ambassadors were welcomed on occasion, and alongside a parallel and scheming world, often hidden behind wooden panels, housing narrow offices, sinister prisons and the notorious torture chamber. This is an unforgettable tour that will take you from the pomp of staterooms with their golden ceilings to the piombi (lead) cells. Relive Casanova's legendary escape and walk across the creaking wood-beaming ceilings of the vast Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Great Council Hall).

San Giorgio Island and the Armenian Island of San Lazzaro

Looking at the lagoon, from St. Mark's Square, the white shape of a classical temple appears surrounded by the waters. It is San Giorgio Maggiore church, one of the Palladian buildings in Venice, in San Giorgio Island. Also known in the ancient times as the " cypresses island", it was first the settlement of a Benedictine community. Far from the crowded Saint Mark Square, the island offers the stillness of a religious place as well as a breathtaking sight from the top of the bell tower, the façade that Venice showed to her visitors coming from the sea.

Then a little jewel of the lagoon, San Lazzaro degli Armeni. This island, dedicated to San Lazzaro, patron saint of the leprous, was first a leper hospital. After a few centuries of decay, at the beginning of the 18th century, a community of Armenian monks, settled here. They turned the old buildings in a monastery so that the island became an incredible cultural centre, important for the collection of books and for the typography open in 1789.

The Glass Museum and the Church of San Donato in Murano Island

Murano Island owes its fame entirely to the glass. It is in the little island, originally a fishermen settlement, that the art of making glass spread since the 13th century, when all glass factories moved from Venice to prevent danger of fire. Murano became so important to have a sort of self-government, its own coins and its own aristocracy. At the Glass Museum, it is possible, following the history and the splendid collection of antiques pieces, to see how this island grew in importance, becoming during the 16th century the principal glass producer in Europe. Venice owns its wealth to the glass production and to other business activities, but has never forgotten to thank or to ask protection to God for its good luck. So, besides all glass shops in Murano, it is possible to visit San Donato Church, a beautiful example of architectural styles mixed together: the Byzantine exterior columns, the Gothic ship's keel roof and the mosaic portrait of the Virgin of the 12th century.

Venetian life of Mariano Fortuny

Among the geniuses that Venice had the honour to receive, one of them made his art a precious product still enjoyable nowadays.

Mariano Fortuny spent most of his life travelling to feed his curiosity and to draw inspiration for his works, but Venice was his favourite city.

The tour will start from the museum " Palazzo Fortuny" where it is possible to admire his works and the beauty with which he loved to surround himself.

The other place preserving the treasures of the artists will be reached by private motor launch. A visit to the Fortuny factory opened in partnership with Giancarlo Stucky on the Giudecca Island, will give the opportunity to appreciate how his secret technique still produce wonderful products.

Laboratories

Bottega del Tintoretto

The chance to relive the fervent atmosphere of an artist shop, is offered from " La Bottega del Tintoretto" an artistic workshop in Cannaregio, situated in what was the 16th century home and workplace of Jacopo Robusti, called Tintoretto, one of the most prolific and most strong willed painters of his age, author of the beautiful cycle of paintings at the " Scuola Grande di San Rocco". In a quiet part of Venice, not very known by the crowd of tourists, and for this reason, still authentic, it is possible to discover the secrets of old techniques such as xylography, engraving, lithography...and using the same tools that the famous masters used in the ancient times, to create a little work of art.

Cooking class

Italy is famous for the excellence of its food and Venice " cuisine" thanks to its incredible history, wisely combines the typical flavours of the earth to the gifts of the sea adding sometimes an exotic touch. Having the experience of learning the secrets of Italian cooking is something not to be missed. In the highly equipped kitchen of the Gritti Palace Hotel, it will be possible to see how some of the most appetizing dishes are prepared. The lesson ends having for lunch what cooked during the lesson on the terrace on the Grand Canal (depending on weather).

Architectural tours

Venice viewed from the water

There is no doubt that Venice was built to be seen from the water where it is at its most spectacular and magnificent. This is a complete itinerary around and through the lagoon city for those who want to enjoy a unique experience, discovering the charm and silence of narrow canals immersed in shadow, observe the silhouettes of ancient rooftops against limpid skies; the itinerary meanders through vibrant neighbourhoods, under bridges and past squares, a glimpse of secret gardens; glide down the Grand Canal with the centuries-old palaces on either side, the air full of the cries of gondoliers; soak up the sun on the open lagoon... A magic synthesis to the rhythm of waves!

Palladio in Venice

This itinerary guides you through the works witnessing the presence of the great architect in Venice. The starting point of this tour will be Rialto Bridge. Palladio didn't win the competition for the project for logistical problem. But this will be a perfect meeting point with our guide and water taxi to introduce you to the different architectural styles of the City. Through the Grand Canal you will reach San Giorgio Maggiore Island where Palladio created a wonderful classical scenography with the San Giorgio's church. After visiting the inside, a beautiful stroll along the Giudecca Island will let you admire the Zitelle Church and then visit the Redeemer Church. At the end back to Saint Mark's Square by water taxi.

Nature tours

Cycling along the lagoon

Beautiful itineraries through the lagoon, to discover areas still uncontaminated. Some of these tours cover an area exclusively natural where the visitor will have the pleasure to admire the lagoon and its inhabitants; some others will mix the beautiful scenery of river and canals to the works of men who in centuries of cohabitation with the nature, have build dams or mills.

Food & wine tasting

Prosecco Tour

Starting from Venice, a pleasant trip through this area famous for the production of the Prosecco. First stop to Conegliano, an enchanting little town surrounded by medieval walls, a good starting point to relish the flavours of our region. Precede to Valdobbiadene the pulsating heart of the famous wine. Then along the way back to Venice a visit to Treviso. Cheered up by willow-fringed canals, the city will offer a lively picture of the everyday life of the inhabitants.

Bacaro Tour

Venetians have always considered food as a good opportunity to share their time with their friends, that's why Venetian culinary tradition has developed specializing in the tasty cicchetti, a kind of snack to be eaten with a good glass of wine.

In this tour, strolling through the most typical "calli" of the city, you will discover Venetians favourites wines and taste delicious cicchetti.

River and Wine

The excursion will take you along the River Sile through the protected natural park area.

Suggestive landscapes, ancient furnaces and majestic villas witness the great importance of the river and the close relationship between Venice and Treviso. On board of an environmental friendly raft, you will navigate along the gently river admiring the beauty of this untouched landscape and tasting the typical food and wine of the area.

Music tours

Roman Arena in Verona and La Fenice Theatre in Venice

Music is part of Italian culture and it is impossible not to mention events such as the "Opera Season at the Roman Arena" in Verona or the Operas at the " La Fenice Theatre", where our stalls or boxes, guarantee a wonderful experience.

In occasion of the event in which clients will be interested, we will suggest restaurants or hotels.

Classical music concerts

Less famous than the Opera in the beautiful Theatre mentioned above, are some minor events spreading all around Venice: classical music concerts are held in amiable locations such as old deconsecrated little churches with musicians and singers in XVIII century costumes.

Some itineraries through the Veneto region

From Venice to Verona

Starting from Venice, the route will proceed along the Brenta Canal to have a glance of the beautiful " villas" built on the sides of the river. In Padua, a visit to the Scrovegni Chapel to admire Giotto' s frescoes and a pleasant stroll through the lively Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. Then continue the itinerary passing through the relaxing hills pricked by medieval castles or fortress such as Monselice or Montagnana to arrive in the late afternoon to Verona. (We must suggest our customers to experience an evening at the Arena if their tour will have place during the Opera Season).

From Venice to Verona 2

From Venice, reach Vicenza, the Palladian city. The city has been included with its 23 Palladian monuments in the world heritage list of UNESCO. A visit to Vicenza will make visitors appreciate the ideal of elegance and of balance that the great architect Palladio infused in his buildings. After have seen the centre of the city it would be a pity to miss one of the best example of the villas build for the nobility: Villa Almerico Capra Valmarana called La Rotonda. The next stop will be Verona. The city, crossed by the Adige River, is important for its roman remains and famous for the setting of one of the masterpieces of Shakespeare, "Romeo & Juliet". A stroll through the city will be pleasing visitor' s eye, with its palaces painted with the typical red colour, known as " rosso veronese", with its beautiful square, Piazza Erbe and the imposing Roman Arena.

Tours in Venice
Tours in Rome
Tours in Florence

Theatre and Concerts tickets

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