Venice is known to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In the past, Venice was a major international financial centre and maritime power, today it continues to impress as it captures the heart of visitors with its picturesque bridges and canals, distinct architecture, and romantic setting. Renowned all over the world for major events such as the Carnevale, the Biennale and the Venice Film Festival, Venice also boasts of master craftmanship of masks, lace, and glass.
Venice
We can visit the main highlights such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, or other sites such as the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Galleries of the Accademia and other interesting churches as we weave through the labyrinth of narrow streets and walkways.
Feel like a jetsetter in a private motorboat to admire the beautiful palaces that line the Grand Canal. Glide in a gondola through smaller canals and if you please, be serenaded by musicians. Come with us to the islands of the lagoon such as Murano and watch in awe as artisans demonstrate the magical art of glass-blowing, or delight in the colourful houses of Burano and admire intricate handmade lace.
Ferrara, Padova and the land of prosecco
On the mainland, we can take you up north to the land of prosecco in the Valdobbiadene hills, or visit the Scrovegni Chapel to admire Giotto’s masterpieces in Padova and explore the arcaded streets and stylish cafes frequented by students of the University of Padua, one of the oldest surviving universities in the world. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Padua became a workshop of ideas and the home to figures who changed the cultural and scientific history of humanity. They included Andrea Vesalio, who founded modern anatomy, as well as the astronomer Copernicus, and Galileo, who observed the skies here.
Verona, Vicenza and the Palladian Villas
We can also choose to visit Vicenza and its Palladian Villas that have the house-temple as their core embellished with monumental staircases and structured gardens or the Olympic Theatre with its trompe-l’œil onstage scenery that creates the illusion of long streets receding into the distant horizon, the oldest surviving stage set still in existence.
We can explore Verona’s Arena, a Roman amphitheatre built in the first century; Piazza delle Erbe, where the original Roman Forum stood; the stunning Basilica of St. Zeno; and for romantics, Juliet’s famous balcony.
Majestic Dolomites
For those wanting to join us to discover the breathtaking scenery of the Dolomites, we can take you to Bolzano from where we can begin our exploration of the valleys, cities and mountains of the beautiful region of South Tyrol.