Excursions in Italy (Po)

This 32-mile long Venitian lagoon was born from the estuaries of three different rivers and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a thin sand bar. Venice is located in the midst of the cluster of islands that are in this lagoon. Almost half of them are deserted and the two most prominent ones to the North are the Murano and Burano islands. Our flagship tour will start from the Cornoldi jetty and you'll be able to visit these two islands. Murano is famous for its glasswork and you'll have the opportunity to watch a master glassmaker hard at work. The glass manufacture was transferred to Murano in 1291 after ovens were banned from Venice to protect it from fires. Murano was particularly active in glassmaking in the 16th century, the "golden age" of glasswork thanks to the 37 manufactures and 30 000 inhabitants that were on the island at the time. Glasswork was one of the first Venitian exports and the secrets of this craft were sealed. Glassmaking was considered a privilege that allowed the craftsmen a wealthy marriage. Today, this glasswork isn't a secret any longer and mirrors made in blown glass, chandeliers, cups and other complex art objects are renowned worldwide. Burano will be our next step. This lovely fishermen's village is picturesque with its vividly-colored houses and its canal sides interspersed with breams. Burano is famous for its lace. The heyday of this craft was in the 16th century when Burano was famous all across Europe. A school was created to preserve the traditional lace making technique. Although lace production might not be as popular today as it was back then, some women on the island are still making it. You'll also get some free time on this charming island to discover it on your own. We'll get back to the ship at the end of our tour.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good shoes and windbreaker are recommended.
• Evenings may be cold depending on season.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Meet up with your guide on board. The tour will begin with a historical and artistic introduction to Venice with St Mark's Square, after which you will be able to admire the exteriors of St Mark's Cathedral. The Byzantine facades of the Cathedral (one of the most magnificent in the world) will immediately draw your attention. It was built in the 9th century to hold the body of St Mark, Patron Saint of Venice. Only a few pieces of the original structure remain and the present day Cathedral dates back from the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. The exterior, with its domes, pinnacles and wooden horses, contrasts with the shining golden mosaics of the interior. The tour continues with the Doge's Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Venice and seat of the Venetian government from the 9th century until the Republic fell in 1797. Although there are no longer any traces of the 9th century Byzantine structures, the Palace as we see it today, richly decorated both on the outside and inside, dates back from the 14th century and is considered by many to be the finest in the world. You will then be able to admire the paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese from the top of the famous Golden Staircase before walking through the Grand Council Chamber and out onto the balcony with its fantastic view over the city. You will cross the famous decorated Bridge of Sighs which leads to the prison. The bridge, known in the past as the symbol of the destiny that awaited the prisoners, has more romantic connotations nowadays. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• The commentary on St Mark's cathedral will be given outside, as it is not authorised inside.
• Passengers will be able to enter the Cathedral during their free time. Modest clothing required. A long queue can be expected.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes: the tour is entirely on foot.
• There are a lot of steps to climb at the Doge's Palace.
• With your tickets for the Doges' Palace, you will have free entry to the Correr Museum and library.
• Depending on where the vessel is moored, we will arrange for shuttle boats if necessary to provide access to the Doges' Palace.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

A stroll through the historical center of Cremona reveals its hidden artistic and architectural treasures. Within the superb medieval square, we’ll take in the immensity of the duomo, bell tower, and cathedral. This lovely city was home to Antonio Stradivari, the famous string-instrument crafter, and we’ll be able to visit a violin-maker’s workshop during our tour. We’ll then head to Polesine Parmense and stop at a local farm in the region to have a taste of Italian cold cuts and cheeses. In the afternoon, we’ll go to Parma—located in the confines of the Lombardy and Emilie-Romagna Regions—to indulge in art, music history, and food! Parma is in one of Italy’s most emblematic areas and inspires with its castles and ancient churches. We’ll visit the pink-marble Baptistery, which contains some amazing frescoes representing the life of Christ. The frescoes on the dome of the cathedral are also exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE

• Must be booked in advance.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Transfer by coach from Chioggia to Padua. Best known in Christianity as the Saint Antoine of Padua city, it is also famous for its art. Giotto (1267-1337, painter, sculptor and Italian architect) gifted the city of Padua some of his masterpieces, enriching the artistic scenery of the city. We'll start off with a guided tour of the city by coach before visiting the basilic which holds the vault of Saint Antoine. You'll be able to admire Donatello's bronze statue from the 15th century in the square before the basilic. This art piece was a major influence on sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. A guided tour on foot will take you to the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Frutti which holds a fresh produce market every day. You'll then see the Palazzo della Ragione (exterior only) and the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock dating back to 1344. You'll enjoy some free time to discover this charming city on your own. We'll be back on board in Venice.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.

We'll leave by coach from Polesella for Verona.
Discover Verona's main attractions and lesser-known sites as you pedal down medieval streets, along ancient city walls and through picturesque squares and courtyards.
Often overshadowed by neighboring Venice, Verona possesses an impressive artistic heritage and many cultural diversions. Throughout the tour, learn more about Verona's stories from a local guide.
You'll discover the Giusti Gardens, one of the city's marvels. This magnificent Italian garden was designed in the 16th century and contains age-old trees, gargoyles, fountains, and grottoes. The garden is dominated by a captivating ancient cypress-tree road which even impressed the poet Goethe.
At the end of our visit, we'll return on board in Polesella.

PLEASE NOTE

• PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE, STURDY SHOES AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Attention: children are under the responsibility of their parents and must be autonomous by bike.

Despite Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, Mantua remains a little-known enclave in Northern Italy, but it is one of the richest and romantic cities and still carries pervasive vestiges of its Renaissance past today. We’ll visit the Palazzo Ducale di Mantova (Ducal Palace - closed on Mondays) which overlooks the city center. Built between the 14th and the 17th centuries by the noble House of Gonzaga, the property comprises many buildings such as the Castel di San Giorgio which was designed as a defensive structure aimed at protecting the heart of the town, and subsequently converted into the main residence of the Gonzaga family. We’ll also visit the Camera degli Sposi (“bridal chamber”), known for its frescoes executed by Andrea Mantegna as a celebration of the Gonzaga family. We’ll then reach the historic center of the city where you’ll visit the Rotonda di San Lorenzo and the Basilica of Sant’Andrea.

PLEASE NOTE

• Must be booked in advance.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You will meet the guides on the boat. The tour will begin with a historical and artistic introduction to Venice with St Mark's Square, then you will be able to see St Mark's Cathedral (exterior). The Byzantine facades of the Cathedral (one of the most magnificent in the world) will immediately draw your attention. Originally, it was built in the 9th century to hold the body of St Mark, Patron Saint of Venice. Only a few traces of the original structure remain and the present day Cathedral dates from the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. The exterior, with its domes, pinnacles and wooden horses, contrasts with the shining golden mosaics of the interior. The tour continues with the Doge's Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Venice and seat of the Venetian government from the 9th century until the Republic fell in 1797. Although there are no longer any traces of the 9th century Byzantine structures, the Palace as we see it today, richly decorated outside and inside, dates from the 14th century and is considered by many as the finest in the world. A visit to the top of the famous Golden Staircase will enable you to admire the paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese, to walk through the Grand Council Chamber and out onto the balcony, with its fantastic view. You will walk over the famous decorated Bridge of Sighs, which leads to the prison. The bridge, known in the past as the image of the destiny that awaited the prisoners, today has more romantic connotations. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.

This 32-mile long Venitian lagoon was born from the estuaries of three different rivers and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a thin sand bar. Venice is located in the midst of the cluster of islands that are in this lagoon. Almost half of them are deserted and the two most prominent ones to the North are the Murano and Burano islands. Our flagship tour will start from the Cornoldi jetty and you'll be able to visit these two islands. Murano is famous for its glasswork and you'll have the opportunity to watch a master glassmaker hard at work. The glass manufacture was transferred to Murano in 1291 after ovens were banned from Venice to protect it from fires. Murano was particularly active in glassmaking in the 16th century, the "golden age" of glasswork thanks to the 37 manufactures and 30 000 inhabitants that were on the island at the time. Glasswork was one of the first Venitian exports and the secrets of this craft were sealed. Glassmaking was considered a privilege that allowed the craftsmen a wealthy marriage. Today, this glasswork isn't a secret anymore and mirrors made in blown glass, chandeliers, cups and other complex art objects are renowned worldwide. Burano will be our next step. This lovely fishermen's village is picturesque with its vividly-colored houses and its canal sides interspersed with breams. Burano is famous for its lace. The heyday of this craft was in the 16th century when Burano was famous all across Europe. A school was created to preserve the traditional lace making technique. Although lace production might not be as popular today as it was back then, some women on the island are still making it. You'll also get some free time on this charming island to discover it on your own. We'll get back to the ship at the end of our tour.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born in Venice in 1725. Both his parents were actors, and he was the first of six children in the family. He entered the University of Padua at age twelve and graduated five years later with a degree in law. Over his lifetime, he was a lawyer, soldier, violinist, courtier, economist, philosopher, writer, and of course, a lover who got into sexual escapades resembling operatic plots.
While visiting Doge's Palace, our guide will evoke his intricate life, including his imprisonment in the palace in solitary confinement for "grave faults committed in public outrages against the holy religion.” He later escaped with the help of a renegade priest.
Casanova's reputation remains until this day, and our guide will recount the most outrageous moments of this "adventurer's" life. Our guide will then take us on a walk through the city streets, passing by the Casino Venier and Casanova's house, finishing up at the Rialto Bridge. After our tour, you can return to the ship at your own pace.

PLEASE NOTE

• PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE, STURDY SHOES AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Verona: a splendid city of art, surrounded by traces of ancient history and the mythical dimension bestowed upon it by the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The Romans founded the city in 49 B.C. and built many of its grandiose works such as the amphitheater—the third largest in Italy, after the Colosseum and the amphitheater in Capua. In the Middle Ages, the city flourished under the wrathful della Scala clan, who were as much faithful patrons of the arts as they were murderous tyrants. Under Cangrande I (1308-28) Verona conquered Padua and Vicenza, with the poet Dante and the artists Petrarch and Giotto benefitting from the city's patronage. The Scaligers rebuilt the walls during the Middle Ages, embracing a much larger territory in the west and another vast area on the east bank of the river. It's easy to spend a long time simply exploring the narrow streets lined with handsome palazzi that make up its historic heart. The city's museums and churches contain some of the finest works of art.
We'll leave for Verona and begin with a panoramic visit of the city by coach, entering through the Porta Palio. We'll see the beautiful Castelvecchio and the Arco dei Gavi. The Porta Nuova offers a wonderful view of the towers, hills and mountains in the background. From here, we'll set off on foot with our guide to Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta) to see the balcony where she stood when Romeo declared his love. We'll then walk to the arena—built from the characteristic local pink and white stone in the 1st century A.D.—which seated as many as 30,000 spectators at gladiatorial combats, mock naval battles and other such popular entertainment. If the amphitheater is closed, we'll visit the magnificent Giusti Gardens.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Transfer by coach from Chioggia to Padua. Best known in Christianity as the Saint Antoine of Padua city, it is also famous for its art. Giotto (1267-1337, painter, sculptor and Italian architect) gifted the city of Padua some of his masterpieces, enriching the artistic scenery of the city. We'll start off with a guided tour of the city by coach before visiting the basilica which holds the vault of Saint Antoine. You'll be able to admire Donatello's bronze statue from the 15th century in the square before the basilica. This art piece was a major influence on sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. A guided tour on foot will take you to the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Frutti which holds a fresh produce market every day. You'll then see the Palazzo della Ragione (exteriors only) and the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock dating back to 1344. You'll enjoy some free time to discover this charming city on your own. We'll be back on board in Venice.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Commentaries inside the Saint Antoine church are forbidden so they would be given before getting in.
• Please dress appropriately to visit the Saint Antoine church.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Vicenza is the epitome of gorgeous Italian landscapes, art, food, and wine. The most beautiful buildings in the city are found around the Piazza dei Signori. Here, you can take in the beautiful facade of the Teatro Olimpico, which opened in 1585 and contains the oldest standing stage set still in existence.

PLEASE NOTE

• Must be booked in advance.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Car lovers will not want to miss this chance! The museum focuses on the life and work of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari sports car brand. Their website says it best: “The Museo Enzo Ferrari is more than just a museum. It is a spectacular immersive experience that combines a dizzying mix of unique ingredients. Visitors not only get to admire the stunning cars displayed in the futuristic 2,500 square meter main pavilion but are also treated to a spectacular audio-visual show to tell the magical story of Enzo Ferrari’s 90 years.”

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

This excursion will lead you to discover the area that has been the heart of handmade gondola production for centuries. You'll visit a gondola workshop and learn all the secrets of this art directly from the master artisans. Back in the 16th-century, the heyday of the gondola, there were upwards of 10,000 of these elegant boats plying the waters of the city canals. Today, there are only 350 remaining, and the job of gondolier is a coveted profession passed down from father to son. Afterwards, we'll visit a Venetian Carnival mask-making workshop. All the masks are individually handmade and feature touches of fantasy and creativity that make them unique items. Most of the masks are signed by the artists, which makes them the perfect souvenir.

PLEASE NOTE

• Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.