Discover Venice

Venice designed for women

Discover Venice and take in its amazingly beautiful sights with your favorite girlfriends. I suggest you read up on this wonderful destination before going out there. Lots of guides and tours are available or you can do it on your own with a reliable guidebook along. Tip: A guide may cost money but saves you valuable time since they know the ins and outs of the city.

Venice is made up of 177 islands and the bridges connecting the city are almost the same number as its islands! So from above, these islands are as intricate as the lace it produces. IMPORTANT - Wear your very comfortable walking shoes during your full days on the island.

Here's a Discover Venice tour of 7 days that I thought you might enjoy. It includes wine tasting, an unforgettable walking tour and a private tour on Venetian art and architecture.

Day 1/ Tu Arrive in Venice
Transfer to your hotel by boat. Check in at your hotel. This is the first day of your Discover Venice break.

Hotel suggestion Locanda Orseole

Stop at a local dairy to taste the typical Montasio cheese, then head to the hills of Corno di Rosazzo and Cividale to visit a top wine-maker/oenologist and his vineyard. Wine tasting includes great whites and full bodied reds accompanied by local products - Cabernet, Merlot, Refosco, Verduzzo, Friulano and Tocai.

Your tasty lunch takes place in a tiny "trattoria" near the Slovenian border with home-made specialties, Schioppettino wine and of course Grappa!

In the afternoon you can take time to see the old monastery dating back to the 11th century - Monastero delle Rose, so called due to a particular microclimate where roses flower even in the Winter.

Day 3/ Th Discover Venice - Hidden Venice Tour or Venice past and Present Walking Tour
Highlights include the Frari church, masterpieces by Bellini and Titian and Canova, the Merchants of Venice, a prison for tax evaders, the old red-light district of Venice, some of the oldest houses in Venice and quaint bridges. Well off the beaten track.

A rich and stimulating itinerary - Venice at its best! A walk of wonder and discovery of the real Venice, through its past and also its present. Visit the important Frari church hidden away in the San Polo district of the city, home to masterpieces of Titian and Bellini, as well as an imposing funeral monument by Canova.

Enjoy a guided walk through a labyrinth of streets and narrow passageways in the artisans quarters of Venice, enlightened by stories of the illustrious merchants and of their ruthless acts of cruelty.

Pass by the old locandas where the merchants would sojourn and encounter the famous Venetian courtesans in the old red light district of Venice that is home to the notorious "Ponte delle Tette".

During this walk, you will see some of the oldest houses in Venice, quaint picturesque bridges and palazzi, an old prison for tax evaders, and learn about how life used to be in Venice and how life is today for the modern day Venetians.

Haven't decided where to have dinner? Try the Ristorante alla Madonna.

Day 4/ Fr Discover Venice
9am Venetian Art & Architecture
Through visiting areas of architectural and artistic richness, such as the interior of the grand Gothic San Giovanni and Paolo church, with the largest stained glass window in Venice, to the jewel box Renaissance exterior of the Miracoli church.

During the tour you will make your way through a maze of narrow Venetian alleyways to the area where the illustrious navigator Marco Polo lived, and your informative guide will give you a clear understanding of the evolution of a broad range of artistic and architectural images.

Venice is so much more than St Mark's Square - take advantage of this tour to discover the real Venice.

3pm Rialto Fruit & Fish Market Private Walking Tour
St Mark's Square may be more famous, but Rialto is the true heart of Venice. As the highest point in the city, it is here that Venice was founded. It was the center for trade and banking, and the Ponte di Rialto was the first bridge built over the Grand Canal.

Explore the famous open air Rialto Fruit and Fish Markets where local traders come to sell fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. When St Mark's became the political center of Venice, Rialto became the commercial center of the city. The site of this historic market between Campo delle Beccarie and the Grand Canal was established more than 600 years ago. This is a personalized tour with a passionate English speaking guide who will help you unlock the secrets on Venice.

Day 5/ Sa Discover Venice
Free day to explore the city on your own.

Day 6/ Su Venice
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. End of your Discover Venice break.

Venice Past and Present Walking Tour
Venice is an open-air museum and this external walk is a must for the first time visitor to Venice.

Hear the history of this enchanting city and discover this extraordinary architectural masterpiece with our informative guide. Learn how Venice lost out on the trade routes when the New World was discovered, leaving Venice medieval forever.

Away from the square you will enter into a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, and encounter La Fenice Opera House, then a concealed square by Fortuny Palace, a spectacular view of the Grand Canal, a beautiful Venetian folly "The Bovolo staircase" and finally Rialto bridge.

Listen to fascinating stories and learn how it is to live in this unique city today, and about the particular difficulties Venice has to face.

Half Day Wine Road of the Doges Tour
The Lison Pramaggiore DOC wine area is set in the most eastern part of the Vent. Vines have been grown here for at least 3,000 years and even back to prehistoric times.

Within a short distance from Venice you will reach this rich agricultural area and visit one of the local family-run vineyards, to see how they are producing their superlative wines today.

Enjoy a variety of tastes from such as wines as Pinot Bianco, Pinto Grigio, Merlot, Chardonnary and Sauvignon to name but a few.

Together with the wine tasting you can enjoy home-made appetizers from this family-run "Cantina" and of course there is the opportunity to stock up on a bottle or two of "vino italiano".

	ST. MARK'S SQUARE is truly one of the most beautiful squares in the world! Although sometimes its beauty is marred by the sea of bobbing tourists' heads on a beautiful spring day. Yes, there are times when the tourists outnumber the pigeons. Cafes and oh-so-luxurious shops line the covered galleries. Relax, sip an espresso or window shop after you discover Venice for the day.
	ST. MARK'S BASILICA The present basilica is the third church to be built on the site. It is one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It is also famous for the beautiful medieval mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Please be aware that large bags are not allowed inside the church. There is a Venice tour that enters the basilica almost every hour.
	BASILICA OPENING HOURS From October to April, from Monday to Saturday: 9.45am - 4.30pm From May to September 9.45am to 4pm Sunday and Holidays: 2pm-4pm Golden Altar and Saint Mark's Treasure: from October to April 9.45a - 4.30pm; from May to September 9.45-5.30pm Admission: Golden Altar Eur 1.50/ Treasure Eur 2 Holy masses before Holidays 6.45pm Holidays 7/ 8/ 9/ 10.30am/ 12nn/ 6.45pm Weekdays every hour 7am to 12nn (no mass July and Aug), 6.45pm
	DOGE'S PALACE The Doge's Palace was the Doge's residence and seat of government of Venice. Just like the White House in Washington DC. Even way back then, it was practical to have a home office! The building is of Byzantine origin and the external facades are in Venetian Gothic style. Opening hours from April to October 9am - 7pm/ from November to March 9am - 5pm Admission € 11.00 reduction €5.50

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