Venice cruises, Italy

After a 45 minute coach ride from Venice, you’ll arrive in Malcontenta, where you’ll visit the Palladian Villa Foscari. Villa Foscari is a patrician villa in Mira, not far from Venice. It was designed by Italian architect, Andrea Palladio, and was dubbed La Malcontenta, a nickname that arose when the spouse of one of the Foscari family was confined to the house as she’d allegedly failed to live up to her marital duties!

After touring the Villa and its grounds, you’ll re-board your bus and enjoy commentary along the Brenta River with its various opulent riverside villas. You’ll arrive in Strà and visit the magnificent Villa Pisani. The fine villa of the noble Pisani family once welcomed kings and emperors and, today, it is a national museum which conserves 18th and 19th century works of art and furniture. The past glory of its enchanting gardens is alive and well today, with its famous maze, valuable citrus fruit collection, greenhouses with plants and flowers, "Everything which gives pleasure to the sight and gratifies our taste", as Almorò Pisani once proudly boasted.

After your tour of the Villa Pisani you’ll board your coach and drive back to the port.

Essential information

This tour operate by coach and on foot. There is approximately 2 hours walking on this tour, oven cobblestones and uneven ground and around 30 steps to negotiate. Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended. It is advisable to wear a hat and take sunscreen and a bottle of water.

Enjoy a motor launch ride into the heart of Venice and see the city by night. You’ll take a walk to the gondola station where you’ll board one of the beautiful hand painted boats, which typify Venice. To be a gondolier is a special privilege for Venetians and they take great pride in their cherished vessels.

The sights speak for themselves as your experienced gondolier navigates you through the narrow canals. Serenely glide under stone bridges and past balconied waterfront buildings. During your ride, a few gondolas will gather together for a brief musical serenade; a moment to be cherished.

At the end of your gondola ride, you’ll walk back to the motor launch station to return to the ship.

Essential information

This excursion operates by gondola and on foot. There is a 20 minute walk, over some cobblestoned surfaces to the gondola station, and queues to board are likely. Please take extra care when stepping in and out of the gondolas. Passengers must be reasonably agile to board the gondola without minimal assistance. Flat, comfortable non-slip shoes are essential. The gondola ride will be approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and will be un-guided and without narration. Gondolas seat 6 passengers, however for the evening ride, only 4 passengers will be permitted per gondola. This tour will not operate in heavy rain, wind or extreme tidal conditions.

Allow your guide to take you on a journey of discovery. Take a walk into the heart of Venice through narrow streets and bustling piazzas, over tiny footbridges and past beautiful buildings exuding Venetian character and charm.

See the façade of the vast 14th century Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari church, which is simple but beautifully punctuated with a white marble portico and pinnacles. The square of Campo San Polo is one of the oldest and largest piazzas in Venice, in ancient times it was used for ceremonies and theatrical performances.

After the collapse of several wooden bridges, it was decided that the Rialto Bridge must be constructed in stone. One of only 4 bridges to cross the Grand Canal, Rialto remains the most famous bridge in Venice.

Campo San Giovanni e Paolo is one of the city’s most monumental squares. Here you’ll find the Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the largest example of Gothic architecture in Venice.

You’ll make a stop at a nearby café to enjoy some welcome refreshments, before strolling back to the motor launch for your return journey to the ship.

Essential information

This excursion operates by motor launch and on foot. This tour involves more than 2 hours of extensive walking and standing over bridges and cobbled stones. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. If wishing to enter churches independently, please remember to dress appropriately and refrain from taking flash photography.