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Day 1
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. At the Venice Airport, you will find a water-taxi ticket booth near the end of a covered walkway from the arrivals hall. Upon arrival, go outside the Arrivals terminal and turn left. Walk to the end of the terminal's sidewalk and look for the sign for Venice Water Taxis and the Alilaguna Water Bus. The walkway to the piers is straight ahead and follow the covered walkway to the piers. The sidewalk is flat, so you can easily roll your wheeled suitcase or trolley. Once there, and if an attendant is on hand, say that you want a water taxi; otherwise, go to the pier and negotiate directly with a boat driver. The fare to Venice is dependent on the location of your hotel and how many people are traveling with you. Please note that a private boat transfer can easily be arranged for you and by local Venetian Law, the price is approximately 120-300 Euro. 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 special bottle of Champagne when you arrive. Congratulations! Enjoy a romantic dinner at the Trattoria Poste Vecie, a typical and exclusive restaurant complete with a large open fireplace, woodpanaling and stained glass windows. Founded in 1500, the restaurant serves traditional Venetian dishes, as well as international food, in an elegant setting with original frescos. A selection of fine wines from the cellar is also offered, with alfresco dining in the garden during the summer months. Palazzo Sant'Angelo Canal Grande (4*) is a charming hotel housed in a noble building, elegantly restored and completely furnished in Venetian style, is located in the heart of Venice on Canal Grande, between the Rialto and Accademia bridges. The welcoming hall, with splendid original Palladian pavement, is decorated with warm colours and an old stone fireplace. From the hall windows guests can enjoy a wonderful view on Canal Grande. Overnight at Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*). |
 Venice |
 Venice, Italy |
 Palazzo Sant'Angelo |
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Day 2
Venice 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) 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. Overnight at Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*). |
 Venice Lagoon Facade |
 Moored gondolas |
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Day 3
Venice Meet your english speaking guide for a 4 hour guided private tour to Murano and Burano on your own private boat. After being picked up by your guide at 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. The first stop on your tour is Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here we stop to visit to one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where you can enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a Maestro Glass Maker. The second stop is at the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Relax and enjoy a coffee before your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel or to Venice centre. Getting lost in the calli, campi and campielli of Venice in search of particular views is a wonderful experience. Take time to simply get lost, and have a pre dinner cocktail at one of the many bars before making your way to a great restaurant for the evening. Enjoy dinner at the Trattoria Alla Fava, a favorite place for cinema personalities in the Sixties and Seventies, and a popular meeting place for artists and opera lovers after the theatre. The restaurant first opened for business in 1960, when Mario Bonavita decided to make his dream come true - to revive the local cuisine at the time forgotten by the locals, neglected by journalists and disregarded by foreign gourmets and chefs and to open a restaurant full of atmosphere for rediscovering true Venetian cooking. The family atmosphere and outstanding quality of the dishes proposed soon meant the “Da Mario alla Fava” trattoria became one of Venice’s most famous restaurants. Overnight at Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*). |
 San Giorgio Maggiore from the main island. |
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Day 4
Venice Take a water taxi from your hotel to the airport. Your hotel concierge should be able to help you with the arrangements on site. The fare to the Venice Airport is dependent on the location of your hotel and how many people are traveling with you. Alternatively, if you would like to have a private transfer arranged for you in advance, please speak to your Sales Advisor. Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from Venice Airport (Marco Polo) - end of itinerary. Overnight at Depart. |
 Kensington Cares |
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