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La Dolce Vita - Italy, Venice & the Veneto

Day 1: Malcontenta – Casone Zappa in the South Lagoon
Guests are met at the appointed Hotel Meeting Point in Mira at 4 PM and escorted to La Dolce Vita for a Prosecco welcome. After a short 2 hour cruise along the Brenta river, La Dolce Vita will descend into the peaceful Venetian lagoon to take you for dinner in front of Casone Zappa, a masterpiece of early 20th century Italian Art Nouveau style architecture.

Day 2: Casone Zappa – Lido
This morning we visit the hunting and fishing resorts in the wilderness of the Southern Lagoon aboard a small boat. After lunch we sail to Pellestrina Island and then to Lido Island, where we moor in front of Villa Laguna Hotel, with a breath-taking view of the Giudecca Canal and Basin of Saint Mark. During navigation along the Lido Island it is possible for you to ride a bicycle for about 10 km on the island itself. It is also possible to go to the beach, go shopping, or visit the famous historical hotels Excelsior and Des Bains, where movie stars often stay during the Venetian Film Festival. Dinner ashore at Villa Laguna Restaurant.

Day 3: Venice
Short cruise around San Giorgio Island and arrival in Venice. Guided tour to historical Venice: Saint Mark’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. Gondola tour through the inner canals and under the Bridge of Sights is possible upon request at an extra charge. Time for shopping or further visits in the early afternoon, before our afternoon cruise. Cruise past the Fort of Sant’Andrea, the base of ancient Venetian artillery defence, La Dolce Vita hugs the coast of Sant’Erasmo, Venice orchard and vegetable garden, to reach Torcello Island in the North Lagoon, where we moor for dinner.

Day 4: Torcello – Burano
In the morning we walk on Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonised 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We move on to Burano for a walk thought the colourful streets of the island and a visit to the Lace Museum. In the afternoon we slowly sail on to Murano to moor and dine aboard.

Day 5: Murano – Venice
We visit a Glass workshop to see the glass blowing process, which made Murano famous worldwide. Later in the morning La Dolce Vita sails further on to Venice, where a boat taxi takes us for a tour of the Grand Canal. In the early afternoon you can choose between a guided tour of art museums or free time for shopping, before leaving the lagoon to start the ascent of river Brenta. Dinner moored in Mira.

Day 6: Mira - Stra
Further ascent of river Brenta to Stra, where we plan a guided tour of Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with fresco’s from Tiepolo. A short afternoon cruise closes the week for the farewell dinner aboard moored in Dolo

Day 7: Dolo
After breakfast we transfer you to the Hotel Meeting Point in Mira.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.