SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 6-passenger La Dolce Vita, originally a Dutch vessel which has gradually made her way through the canals of France and around Italy and up the Adriatic to the calm waters of the Venetian lagoon. Our unique cruise not only visits Venice's well known and lesser known attractions but also encompasses the outer islands of Torcello, Burano and Murano, as well as cruising the unknown and beautiful, canalised Brenta river.
Every meal was fabulous. Eros is such a talented chef. You can tell he loves his work. The wine and cheese with meals was also great and varied. In addition, Leon took us for a flight of reds at a local wine bar...terrific local wines and sausage of duck and goose. That's pretty hard to top!
-- A.B., NY.
Venice is a colourful canvas of masterpiece art and architecture, Byzantine and baroque churches, carnivals, regattas, and milky green canals engraved with the slender silhouettes of gondolas. This is my eighth visit, but in some ways it's my first. This time I am seeing Venice as she should be seen: from water level and not from a gondola, water taxi, vaporetto (waterbus) or cruise ship.
-- M.O., Australia
The cruise on La Dolce Vita was absolute perfection. Exactly what we wanted and we will recommend it enthusiastically. The barge overall was above and beyond our expectations. Regarding the itinerary we loved the "floating" from point to point, never needing a car to reach the destinations. The quality of the pre-trip information provided was excellent, the accommodations and the service were very good, meals and wines outststanding, and excursions were superb.
-- C.E.
The crew is fantastic and the food is unbelievably great! Captain Gian Paolo, chef Massimiliano, and Leonardo, who handles everything else! We arrived on Sunday afternoon and were driven to the barge, which was in the middle of the Brenta River surrounded by gloriously decorated boats which were taking part in the local regatta. Many of the passengers in the boats were dressed in period costumes from the 1800s, and their oarsmen were pressing hard to get the most applause from the crowds that lined the river. Boat after boat passed us, with much waving and shouting. A thrilling event! The food is out of this world. Last night we were treated to a seafood dinner of mussels, clam risotto, and a whitefish plate. Dessert was an awesome blueberry mousse. The wines that were selected were agreeable to all, and we turned in early after this exciting day.
-- C.T.
THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IN THIS EXCITING TRIP OF A LIFETIME! The cruise was well put together, allowing us freedom to choose activity (or not), to choose our manner of activity - shopping, walking, biking. Meals were at a specified time, but never seemed rushed to meet a "deadline". Food was fabulous throughout, as though we had our own gourmand on hand.
-- K.A.
Our cruise around the Venetian lagoon and along Brenta river is as unique as Venice herself. Our itinerary combines 4 very different landscapes: from that of the picturesque islands of the northern lagoon to the charm of romantic Venice, from the beaches of Lido and Pellestrina to the splendid architectures of the countryside villas along the Brenta. This mixture of culture, art and nature is unparalleled in hotel barge cruising terms.
The Venetians have a very special way of life, transporting everything and everybody everywhere by water. To fully appreciate this aspect, our barge cruise mostly includes transportation on boats, but on some occasions it is possible to ride bicycles.
This fairytale adventure allows time to explore the history and legend of the baroque, the renaissance, the middle ages and before. The islands of the northern Venetian lagoon, Murano, Burano and Torcello, exude a charm and intrigue of their own, surpassed only by the Old Lady of the Lagoon, who in her prime ruled much of the Mediterranean.
Delicious seafood, local culinary specialties, fine wines and attentive service complete the picture. La Dolce Vita is the only hotel barge cruising this exceptional region.
Sunday: Lido - Forte di Sant'Andrea
Guests are met at 5pm at Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, just 20 minutes by taxi from Venice and Marco Polo Airport. After a welcome drink of Prosecco, La Dolce Vita cruises to the Fort of Sant'Andrea, the ancient Venetian artillery defense base, where we moor for the night and enjoy a superb fish dinner on board.
Monday: Torcello - Burano
In the morning La Dolce Vita hugs the coast of Sant'Erasmo with its orchards and vegetable gardens and arrives in Torcello, the first island of the lagoon to be colonized 2000 years ago. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a beautiful example of Veneto-Byzantine style. We have lunch while cruising on the Siloncello canal and in the afternoon we visit Burano, a picturesque fishermen's island in the northern lagoon. We walk through the colorful streets of Burano and visit the Lace Museum. We moor for the night on the calm waters of Burano. Dinner on board.
Tuesday: Burano - San Francesco - San Lazzaro - Murano
We start our cruise passing by San Francesco del Deserto Island, where we can moor and visit the monastery. We then proceed to San Lazzaro degli Armeni where we visit one of the most interesting libraries of Venice with 150,000 volumes and more than 4,000 Armenian manuscripts, some nearly 1300 years old. The monks of the San Lazzaro monastery have welcomed visitors for more than two centuries. In 1816, Lord Byron visited the island twice a week for six months, studying Armenian and envying the monks' comfortable academic lifestyle. A plaque quotes Byron as saying, 'The visitor will be convinced that there are other and better things even in this life.' We end the day with a short cruise around Venice to reach Murano and moor for the night on the Grand Canal of the island of glass. Dinner on board.
Wednesday: Murano - Venice - San Giorgio
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's. In the afternoon we take you on a guided tour of the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's in Venice. Later you have some free time to visit Venice. We moor for dinner on San Giorgio Island.
Thursday: San Giorgio - Brenta River to Dolo
This morning we cruise up River Brenta to Mira, passing by Villa Foscari in Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the Renaissance architect Palladio. We visit Villa Widmann, a typical luxurious Venetian villa with wonderful frescoes. In the afternoon we move on for two 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 today. Before dinner we take you for a glass of wine at the old water mill of Dolo.
Friday: Dolo - Stra - Padua
Further ascent of river Brenta to Stra, where we visit Villa Pisani, an 18th century masterpiece of Venetian architecture with frescoes from Tiepolo. While we cruise you can follow the barge by bicycle along the river and by the afternoon our cruise brings us in Padua, where we moor at Portello gate, one of the best preserved parts of the ancient city walls. We then visit Giotto's Chapel and then we walk into the center, which is as full of history as Venice herself. The Farewell Dinner will be at a restaurant in the center of Padua.
Saturday: Padua - Venice
After breakfast at 9am you are transferred to Hotel Villa Goetzen in Dolo, Marco Polo. If you have an early flight or if you are staying at a hotel in Venice, we can make custom arrangements for you at your expense.
Note; this itinerary runs in reverse direction on alternate weeks and is subject to change.
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*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| LA DOLCE VITA 2009 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 5 thru May 2 Oct 4 thru Oct 31 |
REGULAR May 3 thru Oct 3 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,100 |
$3,500 |
| Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,600 |
$4,000 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,350 |
$1,550 |
| Charter for 4 |
$16,200 |
$18,000 |
| Charter for 5 |
$17,200 |
$19,000 |
| Charter for 6 |
$18,200 |
$20,000 |
| Honeymoon Charter for 2 |
$14,000 |
$15,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- transfers from Venice to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions
- use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- overseas air transportation to Venice and return
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain
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