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.

See the Doges Palace with its gothic arches and delicate marble façade. Discover the opulent interior allowing the lavishly decorated rooms, golden staircase, and Venetian masterpieces to dazzle you. Venture into the gloomier Palace Prisons, via the sorrowful Bridge of Sighs.

Enjoy the atmosphere of St Mark’s Square, the epicentre of Venice. Admire the architectural delights: the formal public buildings, imposing campanile tower and splendid Doge’s Palace flanked by the stunning Basilica. Marvel at the one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, St Mark's Basilica (interior visit is unguided).

Complete your Venetian experience with a glide along the city’s enchanting canals on a gondola. Riding 6 per gondola, enjoy the sights from a different perspective on the city’s most famous form of transport.

Time permitting, you’ll have a short while for shopping or independent exploration at the end of the tour.

Essential information

This excursion operates by motor launch, gondola and on foot. There is a 20 minute walk, over some cobblestoned surfaces and bridges to reach St Mark’s Square. Flat, non-slip shoes are recommended. Passengers must be reasonably agile to board the gondola. The ride will be unguided and will not operate in extreme weather conditions. The Doge’s Palace includes over 100 steps throughout the visit. Bags must be left in a secure store. Flash and video cameras are not allowed in the Palace or Basilica. Please dress appropriately for entering the Basilica. Queuing is to be expected and may delay or prevent entrance to the Basilica. Interior visits in general cannot always be guaranteed as daily services may be taking place. Catholic Mass is held on Sunday mornings and an interior visit of St Mark’s Cathedral is not permitted. During high tides the Cathedral is subject to closure without notice.

You’ll be transferred from the pier by motor launch into the heart of Venice. Upon arrival you’ll take a walk to the gondola station and board one of the beautiful hand painted boats. You’ll traverse some of the smaller canals, crossed by stone bridges, and pass by balconied waterfront buildings. Relax as you glide through Venice on the city’s most famous form of transport.

Following your gondola experience, you’ll have some free time to explore Venice at your own leisure. Stroll through St Mark’s Square, admire the imposing campanile tower, view the magnificent San Giorgio Church or simply relax in one of the local cafés. You may also choose to spend some time browsing through the many designer shops and boutiques.

Afterwards, you’ll rejoin your escort at the designated meeting point, for the return motor launch to the pier.

Essential information

This excursion operates by motor launch and on foot. There is a 20 minute walk, over some cobblestoned surfaces and bridges 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 with minimal assistance. Flat, comfortable non-slip shoes are essential. Each gondola seats 6. The gondola ride will be approximately 30 minutes long and will be un-guided and without narration. This tour will not operate in heavy rain, wind or extreme tidal conditions. Please dress appropriately if entering churches. Please make a note of the meeting point and time, as the return motor launch cannot be held for latecomers.