Itinerary for La Dolce Vita
Luxury cruise vacations in
Venice, the Islands, the Hidden Venetian Lagoon and the Brenta River
Sunday, Day 1
Venice cruise - Lido – Burano, from Venice
to the Fishermen’s Island
Guests are met at 5 PM at Best Western Hotel Villa Mabapa,
where the barge is moored and the crew is ready to serve you a
welcome drink of Prosecco. Sailing past the Fort of Sant’Andrea, the
ancient Venetian artillery defence base, La Dolce Vita hugs the
coast of Sant’Erasmo, Venice orchard and vegetable garden and then
arrives in Burano, a fishermen’s island in the northern lagoon,
where we moor for a superb fish dinner.
Monday, Day 2
Torcello–Burano–San Francesco, The Still
Waters of the Smaller Islands
In the morning we walk through the colourful streets of Burano and
visit the Lace Museum. We have lunch while cruising on Siloncello
canal and in the afternoon we visit 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 finally cruise to Murano passing by San Francesco Monastery
island. We moor on the Grand Canal of the island of glass, where we
have dinner on board and spend the night.
Tuesday, Day 3
Murano - Venice - Lido, Cruising the Grand
Canal and Walking in Venice
We visit a glass-blowing workshop in Murano. Then we move on for a
tour of the Grand Canal in Venice aboard a water taxi and reach San
Giorgio island for our lunch facing Saint Mark. In the afternoon you
have some free time to visit Venice. We moor for dinner on Lido
island at Villa Laguna hotel.
Wednesday, Day 4
Venice - Valle Zappa, Venetian Architectural
Masterpieces
This morning we take you on a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and
Saint Mark in Venice. In the afternoon we have a relaxed and
flexible program. We can spend a couple of hours in Venice, then
ride the bicycle or navigate along Lido island to reach our evening
mooring at Alberoni or Pellestrina.
Thursday, Day 5
Brenta River to Dolo, Barging along the
Venetian Villas
This morning we cruise up river Brenta to Mira, passing by Villa
Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect
Palladio. Short after lunch we visit Villa Widmann, a typical
Venetian luxurious villa with wonderful frescos. Before dinner we
move on for 2 more hours to Dolo, where we moor for the night. For
those who like cycling, it is possible to follow the barge on a
bicycle Before dinner we take you for a glass of wine at the old
water mill of Dolo.
Friday, Day 6
Dolo – Stra - Dolo, Cruising up the River
Surrounded by Masterpieces of Architecture
Further ascent of river Brenta to Stra, where we visit Villa Pisani,
an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescos
from Tiepolo. During most of the day it is possible to follow the
barge by bicycle along the river. A short afternoon cruise brings us
back to Dolo for the Farewell Dinner at Villa Goetzen restaurant. Saturday, Day 7
Venice,
A Drive Along the Brenta After Our Farewell Breakfast
After breakfast you are transferred to Venice or to Marco Polo
airport. By that time you will be able to say if you truly
appreciated the Venetian style of living and… of barging!
This itinerary is subject to change.
