'LA DOLCE VITA'

Venice, the Islands, the Hidden Venetian Lagoon and the Brenta River

Cruise area map (Click to enlarge)

Sunday, Lido – Burano… From Venice to the Fishermen’s Island
Guests are met at 5pm at Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo. You are transferred to 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Dolo – Venice... A Drive Along the Brenta after Our Farewell Breakfast
After breakfast you are transferred back to the Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, or to Marco Polo airport.

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change without notice. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in the reverse direction.