Venice is enchanting, magical, spellbinding, breathtaking. It is my favorite city in the world -- I've been there 23 times, and I want to share it with you!

It is unlike any other place on the planet with no cars, hundreds of canals connected by gorgeous old bridges, and thousand-year-old palaces on the Grand Canal. 

Whether you call it Venezia, La Serenissima, or Queen of the Adriatic, it's magic will find its way into your heart, and your soul, and you will never forget it.

"You desire to embrace Venice, to caress it, to possess it; and finally a soft sense of possession grows up and your visit becomes a perpetual love affair."

Henry James

The very best time to enjoy sightseeing in Venice is mid-spring, and particularly the end of April. The cold of winter has lifted and the sun makes a daily appearance. 

The city is warm and dry, but not too hot. Average high temperatures are 65 degrees F during the day and the nighttime lows average 50 degrees F.

Tourist services are fully operational, and you'll avoid the huge summer crowds. 

Before 400 A.D., there was NO Venice. 

Where the city now stands was a marshy lagoon dotted with hundreds of tiny islands that were neither large enough nor firm enough to support more than thatched huts.

In the early fifth century, barbarians swept through Europe, and frightened residents of the nearby Italian mainland sought temporary refuge in the marsh. Their enemies lacked both ships and a knowledge of the sea, and could not follow.

Attila the Hun and his forces devastated the area in 452,  and the inhabitants realized that it was no longer possible to even try to live on the mainland. So they learned how to adapt to life on water, and set out to create "land" to put under their buildings.

They drove millions of thin, sharpened wooden poles through the mud into the marginally more solid base of sand and clay beneath. The poles were so close to each other that they touched, and then they were sawn-off at the tops to provide a flat solid surface. Oak planks were placed on top of the pilings, and on top of the planks, several thick layers of marble formed the foundations of the buildings. From there on up, most of the construction was done in ordinary brick or wood, and  the city of Venice was born.

Those poles have become stone-like submerged in the mineral-rich water of the lagoon.

Even today, many houses in Venice still stand on these petrified pilings which were sunk into the muck more than 1,500 years ago.

Venice is small. You can walk across it, from head to tail, in about an hour. Nearly all of your sightseeing is within a 20-minute walk of the Rialto Bridge or St. Mark's Square. But there are so many glorious things to see in this small location!

Because there are no cars in the city, you'll need to either walk or ride a Vaporetto (water bus) to get around the city. This escorted tour includes a good amount of walking, and climbing stairs over bridges, so it requires an average level of physical fitness. 

Losing oneself is the best way to discover and appreciate the stunning beauty of the tiny alleys and narrow canals which make the fabric of Venice. Don’t worry about your whereabouts: it's fun to get lost here, and Venice is very safe.

We find our guests are happiest when they can roll with delays and last-minute changes that may happen in the unpredictable world of travel. The best things you can bring with you are flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor!

The three perfectly-planned tour days include all the must-see sights in Venice, and add in some hidden treasures that most visitors miss!

We'll visit:

• Saint Mark's Basilica

• Saint Mark's Campanile

• Torre dell'Orologio (Saint Mark's Clock Tower)

• Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

• Rialto Bridge 

• Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in Venice

• Scuola Grande di San Rocco, monumental confraternity headquarters filled with paintings by Tintoretto

• Old Jewish Ghetto 

• Madonna del Orto, art-filled Gothic church built in 1460

• Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, tower with famous snail shell spiral staircase

Special experiences will include:

• Gondola ride

• Chichetti crawl (Italy’s version of tapas)

• Private cooking demonstration and four-course dining experience at a local home in Venice

We are also working on some extra-special secret additions to this itinerary!

This 5-day, 4-night adventure is priced $2,099 per person double occupancy (not including airfare to and from Venice). Single supplement is $500.

Your space will be secured when we receive a deposit of $300. Tour deposits are refundable up to 120 days prior to departure date. Deposits made after 120 days are non-refundable.

We have a payment plan which allows the entire cost of the trip to be paid in 12 equal installments of $150. (You are welcome to make larger payments at less frequent intervals if you choose.) 

The entire balance must be paid in full by February 1, 2024.

Cancellation Fees

If you need to cancel your trip, you will forfeit your deposit, and these fees will be applied:

• Between 100-61 days before your arrival date, 25% of the entire tour price.

• Between 60 and 46 days before your arrival date, 50% of the entire tour price.

• Between 45 and 31 days before your arrival date, 75% of the entire tour price.

• Between 30 and 1 days before your arrival date, 100% of the entire tour price.

Included in the trip price is:

• 4 nights accommodations with breakfasts
• Expert tours with exceptional guides
• Entrance fees on guided tours
• Gondola ride
• Three lunches featuring local wines and foods 
• Three dinners: chichetti crawl, home cooking demonstration and 4 course dinner, and farewell dinner at a traditional Venetian restaurant

Not Included

• Airfare
• Gratuities for guides 
• Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
• Anything not specified in the itinerary
• Hotel tax, averaging 3 euros per night
• Pre - or post-tour travel arrangements

Please plan to fly into and out of Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy (VCE).

You need to be in Venice on Sunday, April 7, 2024, which means you will probably need to depart the USA on Saturday, April 6. 

Plan to depart from Venice any time on Thursday, April 11.

Please ASK US if you have any questions before you purchase your airfare!

Your passport should be valid for at least three months (six months preferred) beyond your planned date of departure. Two blank pages in your passport are required for entry stamp. 

Italy does not currently require any proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or a COVID-19 recovery certificate to enter the country.

The US State Department advises making at least one photocopy of the information and photo page of your passport. You should carry this in a separate place from the original to make it easier to replace your passport if you lose it.

Starting sometime in 2024 (possibly in May), Americans will be required to obtain a ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization to enter Italy. The authorization will be available online, valid for three years, and cost about $8. Please check here for updates on applying for the ETIAS:

https://etias.com/etias-application 

The boutique nature of this itinerary means that it is subject to minor changes, updates and even additions as we get closer. Any changes would reflect the goal of enhancing your Venetian experience.

Traveling abroad is often challenging, and sometimes changes in the itinerary are unavoidable. 

If changes are needed, Bucket List Travel will always make our best efforts to provide alternatives that are equal to or better than what was originally planned.

Electricity 

In Venice they supply 220v. For computers, phones and camera chargers, you will need a 2 or 3 prong plug adapter designated for ‘Southern Europe’. A converter is necessary only for heat-drawing electronics such as a hair dryer or razor. 

Language

The official language in Venice is Italian.  Many people in Venice speak English.

Money

The currency used in Italy is the Euro. Most credit cards are accepted (except American Express and Discover) in hotels and restaurants.

ATMs are available on the island, but not as accessible as in the USA. Most have cash withdrawal limits around E250 to E500 daily. 

Can I drink the water?

You can drink tap water in Venice. In fact, Venice has some of the best water quality in Europe. The city's water supply comes from underground wells and is treated to meet the highest quality standards.

What should I wear?

Dress in Venice is generally casual, with smart casual for dinners. Good walking shoes are a must! Don't forget  light jacket or sweater.

Bucket List Travel recommends travel insurance for all our guests. Travel insurance provides financial protection for unexpected events that affect a trip, such as a cancellation, illness, or an injury that occurs during the trip, and may include coverage for trip expenses, medical emergencies, travel delays, and luggage.

We have partnered with a company called Travel Insurance Master, which works with 11 of the country’s best travel insurance providers to find the best plan and value for you so you don’t have to figure it out yourself. 

They take into account your age, trip cost, and the features you want, and present you with what they think is your best option, as well as several alternatives. You only pay the premium amount; there is no additional cost to you.

Take a look at Travel Insurance Master, and rest assured they’ll find you the best trip insurance for your needs. 

https://travelinsurancemaster.com/a?5cc9488b-808d-4077-a31f-c22a7c47abd2 

After arriving and getting your luggage, walk outside the airport to the dock and get on a shared water taxi to our central Venice hotel. 

You'll be whisked across the lagoon in the most romantic and direct way to travel to the city. You'll get to experience the lagoon and iconic canals immediately upon your arrival in Venice!

You'll be dropped off within walking distance of our hotel. 

Today is all about exploring Venice's most enchanting piazza - Saint Mark's Square. Its grand nature inspired Napoleon to call it the “drawing room of Europe”.

Basilica di San Marco 

Stunningly beautiful and absolutely unmissable, St. Mark’s Basilica is the jewel of Piazza San Marco, and arguably the most beautiful church in all of Italy.

Started in the 9th Century, the Basilica's architecture shows eastern and Byzantine influence. The church is absolutely breathtaking - gold mosaics all over the walls and ceilings, and intricate inlaid marble floors. It is known as the Chiesa d'Oro ("church of gold") for its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power. The exterior of the basilica is quite ornate and has been added to over the centuries.

Saint Mark's Campanile 

The 323 foot tall St. Mark’s Campanile towers over the corner of Piazza San Marco. The tallest structure in Venice, it is quite accessible, with an elevator that whisks you to the top. From there you can enjoy the widest and most sweeping view of Venice that you can find, clearly looking down on Piazza, the Doge’s Palace, the roof of St. Mark’s Basilica with its distinct domes, and the Venetian Lagoon.

The San Marco Clock Tower

The clock tower in St. Mark's has been ringing out the hours since 1499.

The 500+ year-old clock mechanism in the Renaissance tower still keeps perfect time. It has complicated systems for displaying the time, the sun, the moon and the signs of the zodiac. Above the blue clock face, a statue of the Madonna stands between two large displays showing the time to the nearest five minutes in numerals. We'll climb to the top of the tower, where you will see the 'minutes' display changing from the inside as a large painted barrel revolves. The clock tower is topped by a large bell, which is struck every hour by two large bronze figures, known as "Moors" because of the dark color of the bronze.

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) 

Located next to the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace has been the symbol of Venice's political life and public administration for hundreds of years. The building has been continuously evolving into its present form since 1340, even though its foundations date back to early Middle Ages (10th Century). Considered a masterpiece of the Gothic style, the Palazzo Ducale is an extensive infrastructure, comprising the apartments of the doge, the government quarters and the palace of justice. In the Museo dell'Opera, you will see the remaining pieces of the building's medieval facades as well as a collection of sculptures dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries.

 Chichetti Crawl

Tonight we'll share an exciting traditional Venetian dining experience: a cicchetti crawl. Cicchetti, simple yet delicious light bites, are the cornerstone of Venetian cuisine. We'll visit several different bacaro (Venetian wine bars) that serve as popular gathering spots for locals to enjoy this unbeatable food. You’ll try a variety of delicious ciccheti and wash them down with wine or a famous Venetian spritz.

Today we will explore the San Polo district of Venice.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge in Venice, and without a doubt, the most renowned. It has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173. The present bridge, made of stone and with a single arch, is a project of Antonio da Ponte, built from 1588 to 1591. Two ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico, the covered ramps carry rows of shops.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari 

The  Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Church of St. Mary of the Friars) was built in the middle of the 13th century. The Frari houses amazing paintings by Titian, and the tombs of Titian, Canova, Monteverdi, and Francesco Foscari.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Venice's abundant art treasures cover the walls of the city's galleries, but the best remain in the places they were painted: the churches and palaces of the Renaissance. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which was founded in the 15th century as a confraternity to assist the citizens in time of plague, is one of the most spectacular, showing masterpieces in their original home. This stunning building is dedicated to Rocco, who cured the sick during the 14th-century plague.

The interior decoration was entrusted to Jacopo Tintoretto, whose works, such as the Allegories, Life and Passion of Christ, and episodes from the Old and New Testaments can be admired here. 

Cooking and Dining With a Local Family

We are in for a special treat tonight for dinner: a cooking demonstration and dining experience at a local Venetian home. It is a culinary experience like no other! Over 3 hours, we'll enjoy exclusive cooking instruction from our genial host, and taste authentic Italian dishes. Treasured in family cookbooks, these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you make a genuine connection with locals. We'll then enjoy a 4-course menu including a starter, pasta, a main course with a side dish, desert, plus a selection of regional wines and coffee.

Today we'll explore the Cannaregio section of Venice.

Jewish Ghetto  

On March 29, 1516, the Venetian government issued special laws creating the first Jewish Ghetto of Europe here in Venice. It was an area where Jews were forced to live and which they could not leave from sunset to dawn. The area was closed by gates watched by guards - the marks of the hinges are still visible there. 

The Republic forced the Jews to wear a sign of identification and manage the city's pawnshops. In contrast to their Muslim, Greek Orthodox, and Christian neighbors, Venetian Jews were allowed to freely practice their religion as long as they remained inside the Ghetto, paid their taxes and rents (higher than other citizens), and stuck to a few occupations: moneylenders, doctors, traders and rag sellers.

Over time the Ghetto, crammed into the space of an acre, became the vibrant Jewish cultural capital of Europe. Early printing presses produced religious and secular works in Hebrew, Ladino, and Yiddish within the Ghetto; the 1609 Venice Haggadah is one of the most famous examples of the book that guides the Passover seder.

The Ghetto existed for more than two and a half centuries, until Napoleon conquered Venice and finally opened and eliminated every gate (1797): Jews were finally free to live in other areas of the city.

The ghetto consists of an open square surrounded by six-story "skyscrapers" on three sides. Laws forbid building separate synagogues, hence the synagogues were built on the top floors of the buildings because there should be no obstructions between the congregation and the heavens. Five synagogues (15th to 16th C.) are located in this small area. Along with its architectural and artistic monuments, the community also boasts a Museum of Jewish Art, the Renato Maestro Library and Archive and the new Info Point inside the Midrash Leon da Modena. In the Ghetto area there is also a yeshiva, several Judaica shops, and a Chabad synagogue.

Madonna del Orto

The church of Madonna del Orto, erected in the mid-14th century,  is certainly one of the most important monuments of Venice. It is very off the beaten track, so most tourists never see it. The famous artist Tintoretto lived near here, so this was his parish church. The inside is rich in his paintings, which is what draws most visitors out to this northern reach of the city. . In fact, it is known as the "house" of Tintoretto, because the sanctuary features 10 of his masterpieces, and Tintoretto is buried here in the apse. 

Tintoretto, his fingers itching to fill the empty spaces on these chancel walls, is said to have asked no recompense other than the cost of the materials.

On either side of the high altar there are vast paintings of The Worship of the Golden Calf and The Last Judgment, each about 50 feet high.

The charming noble brick facade and graceful interior of this church (dating from 1462) represents a blend of Gothic and Renaissance.

In the interior is Tintoretto's tomb; he was buried in 1594 in the chapel to the right of the Presbytery next to his son Domenico.

Other notable features of the church include a statue of a "Madonna of the Garden" (Madonno dell'Orto) in the chapel of San Mauro, which was discovered in a neighboring garden in the late 1300s and was said to possess miraculous powers. 

The church has been used as a gunpowder magazine, a barn for storing straw, and a stable at various times in its nearly 650 years of existence. The organ over the entrance was built in 1878, and is one of the most powerful in Venice.

Farewell Dinner

Tonight, we will celebrate the end of our adventure in Venice with a sumptuous  farewell dinner in a charming and traditional restaurant.

Today, we'll transfer to the airport in water taxis and bid farewell to the magical city of Venice.