Venice Exclusive

Itinerary

• Italy

  Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It's top attractions include; Rome (Colosseum, Vatican City, PIazza Navona, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains of Trevi, Spanish Steps), Florence (Duomo, Old City, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi), and Venice (Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, St. Marks Square). But there is much more to discover outside these heavily travelled spots.  Tuscany and Umbria with its wine, food and hilltowns (Sienna, San Gimignano, Orvietto, Spoleto), the dazzling Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento), Siciliy with its old words ways, the urbane Milan and nearby Lake Como, the Italian Riviera... and more.  One important piece of advice, the soul of Italy is in its small towns, so be sure to get outside the big cities and into the country. That is where you will find the magic.

• Venice

  In the rich cultures of Europe and celebrated cities of Italy, few places capture the imagination as much as Venice. Its fabled canalled thoroughfares and gilded palaces possess a beguiling beauty unsurpassed by anywhere else on Earth. Everywhere you go you'll find works of art - in the architecture itself or within the walls of the palaces and basilicas that are liberally sprinkled in every area of the city. Venice is an ever-changing, living canvas. No other place has such a mutable geography where you can discover delightfully peaceful piazzas and deserted canals seemingly unmarked on any map. Quite simply, there is nowhere else in the world quite like it.

• • Venice
  • Venice, Italy
  • Bauer Il Palazzo

  Day 1: Venice

  On arrival in Venice you will be met and transferred by a private motor launch and English speaking assistant to your accommodation on Venice Island. Our local representative will accompany you on the transfer and assist with your hotel check in.

  A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the first hotel on your trip.

  Enjoy a 2 hour private walking tour of Venice with an English speaking local guide. Visit St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries, and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. And you'll see Marco Polo's House, a Merchants’ Warehouse, explore the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans of Venice that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. This walking tour of Venice finishes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Market. (Entrances not included)

  Accommodation: Bauer (5*)

   Bauer Hotel (5*) is just west of St Mark's Square and features two terraces providing views of the Grand Canal's junction with St Mark's Basin. The Bauer Hotel is a time-honored, family legacy and a testament to the soul and spirit of Venice. The hotels guestrooms feature individual decor combining Art Deco and Venetian influences; all include flatscreen TVs, safes, minibars, and marble bathrooms with heated towel rails. During the summer, guests can dine on Venetian and Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy cocktails on the terraces overlooking the Grand Canal; in winter an indoor bar offers DJ or live music nightly.

• • Glass Blowing Factory
  • Moored gondolas

  Day 2: Venice

  Take a guided 2 hour private tour to Murano on your own private boat with an English speaking guide. After being picked up by your guide in your hotel, take in the sights as you sail past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the famous Arsenal of the Venetian Republic. You will reach Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. We will visit one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where you will enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a Maestro Glass Maker and will have time to visit the Glass show rooms. At the end of the visit your tour Guide will bring you back to your hotel or to central Venice.

  Sit back and relax on a marvellous and enchanting half an hour evening gondola ride through the Grand Canal and inner canals of Venice. You will breathe the atmosphere of this ancient city built on water. Your gondola will take you to the Restaurant da Raffaele, where you can enjoy typical traditional veneta and Italian plates. Departure from Santa Maria Del Giglio Gondola Station (next to Hotel Gritti) at 07.00 pm, arrival at restaurant around 7.30-07.40 pm.

  Accommodation: Bauer (5*)

• Day 3: Venice

  Be met by an English speaking assistant at the Port and take a private motor launch to your hotel where they will aid you with your hotel check in. If your hotel does not have a docking place, your transfer will leave from the closest possible docking place.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Venice Airport (Marco Polo) - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Local Pastimes

  Italian coffee rituals are often baffling to the uninitiated. Espresso coffee is very small and very strong. It is usually consumed in one or two gulps while standing at the bar. Italians will spend three hours eating a meal and then refuse the restaurant's coffee (which is always served at the end of the meal after dessert) because they want to drink it in a particular bar. If you ask for a Caffe you will get espresso, whereas a Caffe Americano will be a "long" espresso.  Caffe Latte is the true version of what we have colloquialized as a "Latte", but be careful not to order a "Latte" as you will receive simply a delicious glass of steaming milk.

• • Bauer Il Palazzo

  Bauer (5*)

   Bauer Hotel (5*) is just west of St Mark's Square and features two terraces providing views of the Grand Canal's junction with St Mark's Basin. The Bauer Hotel is a time-honored, family legacy and a testament to the soul and spirit of Venice. The hotels guestrooms feature individual decor combining Art Deco and Venetian influences; all include flatscreen TVs, safes, minibars, and marble bathrooms with heated towel rails. During the summer, guests can dine on Venetian and Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy cocktails on the terraces overlooking the Grand Canal; in winter an indoor bar offers DJ or live music nightly.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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