While enjoying the beauty and wonders of present day Venice, we also explore the answers to questions about its origins, its influence and decline. Why did the early settlers decide to build a city on the unpredictable waters of the lagoon?  How did this small city grow to control the waters of the whole Mediterranean?  What caused the Venetian Empire to decline and collapse?  There are innumerable 'Venices' to be discovered; that of the churches, with their paintings and altarpieces; that of the public buildings, St Marks, the repository of the booty from the East; the Doges palace, the seat of government; the palaces with their grand 18th-century interiors; and the private places, little squares alleys and houses.  There are some answers, but the mystery remain.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly to Venice and transfer to the hotel, where we stay throughout. There is then a walk to introduce some of the main sights. Dinner is in a local restaurant.

Day 2 –We We take the vaporetto to Torcello, which was first settled in 639.  It is one of the most evocative places in the Venetian lagoon and there are excellent views of the waters and islands from the church tower.  The church contains an impressive mosaic Last Judgement and many attractive Byzantine features. We return by way of Burano, a lively fishing village, with brightly painted houses along its small canals.

Day 3 – We visit the Rialto, the centre for Venetian trade, close to the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the base for foreign traders.  We see the beautiful Gothic palace, the Ca’Oro.  We then visit the large Dominican church of San Zanipolo, where twenty-five Doges were buried, many with remarkable monuments.  Finally to the Scuola Giorgio degli Schiavoni, set up to protect the interests of the Slavs from the Dalmatian coast.  It contains the charming cycle of paintings of St Jerome and St George by Carpaccio

Day 4 - We see the products of the prosperous Venetian Empire: St Marks, the recipient of the spoils of the East; the Palazzo Ducale, the centre of Government; and the Grand Canal, lined with the palaces of the rich families of Venice.

Day 5 – WWe look at the buildings that exemplify the decline and decadence of the later stages of Empire. The Ca' Rezzonico contains the Museum of 18th-century Venice, with extensive furniture and painting collections of the period. We also visit the Palazzo Mocenigo, formerly the home of one of the most important Venetian families and now a costume and textile Museum, and the Scuola dei Carmine, with important paintings by Tiepolo.  The Scuola Grande di San Rocco was dedicated to the Saint whose intervention was considered the most efficacious against the Plague. It has the famous cycle of paintings of the Old and New Testaments by Tintoretto.

Day 6 – We visit the Accademia for an overview of Venetian culture and painting. It contains masterpieces by the great painters, Titian, Veronese, Giorgione, Giovanni Bellini and Carpacciosia.  We then travel to the airport for the return flight to London.

Venice - Origins, Empire and Decline
Price: £895 per person
Single Supplement: £210
Deposit: £200 per person

Price Includes:  5 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at a 2-star Hotel, two dinners, transfers for recommneded flights, and a full itinerary accompanied by a Prospect Tour Leader.

Travel: Travel to and from Venice is not included.  We can arrange and book your flights for you.

Suggested British Airways scheduled flight timings.