Page 125 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Venice, but also some off-the-beaten quarters that afford a unique perspective on this most
fascinating city, which is so rich in history. Due to the massive number of visitors on a daily basis, a
guide will help you navigate via lesser-populated routes. You might start with Piazza San Marco,
celebrated for the basilica (one of the most unique in Western Europe), the Doge’s Palace, the Torre
dell'Orologio (clock tower), the campanile (bell tower), legendary cafés and a legion of resident sea
gulls. You will skip the lines of those waiting to get into the basilica for a guided visit of the interior,
which is quite splendid. The gilded Byzantine mosaics are highly memorable. Your guide might
help you appreciate the stunning Pala d’Oro, which is an altarpiece that was commissioned by the
doge in the early twelfth century and, in part, illustrates the story of St. Mark.

Your guide will also lead you through the Doge’s Palace, which was the headquarters of all the
political institutions of the Venetian Republic, including the justice department, complete with
jail cells and the famous Bridge of Sighs,
where prisoners took their last walk (kids tend
to like this part, in particular). The palace was
also the residence of the Doge or Duke.
Completed in 1420, the Doge’s Palace is an
exceptional example of Gothic civic
architecture and features rich decorations and
frescoes by Veronese, Tintoretto and other
Venetian masters.

From Piazza San Marco, stroll through the
narrow alleys of the wonderful district of the Rialto, which is so informative with respect to the
history and traditions of Venice. In 1300, Venice was one of the largest cities and the leading
maritime republic of Europe and the Mediterranean. It remained a maritime power until the
eighteenth century when Napoleon rolled through, and its trading dominance waned as the
market shifted from the east to the New World. In the heyday of the Republic of Venice, the
Rialto was its world-famous commercial center, renowned for its exotic markets, banks and as a
gathering place to learn the latest news. With your guide leading the way, you will visit the
celebrated Rialto Market and then leave the tourist crowds and delve deeper into the Rialto to
some quiet areas, which are absolutely charming and full of atmosphere. This is the real Venice!

Proposed Accommodations for 2 Nights: Ca’ Sagredo, a splendid palace hotel featuring
stunning frescoes. We particularly like the relatively quiet Grand Canal location near the Rialto
Bridge, away from the buzz of St. Mark’s Square.

Day 10 - Monday, July 24: For your final day in Italy, meet Andrea, our guide for special
Venetian experiences, at hotel reception in the morning for a half-day tour to include two
completely different experiences - a visit to a mosaic glass artisan and then a tour of the canals as
part of a private rowing lesson.

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