Secrets of the Venetian Lagoon

Day 1 London to Venice, Italy.

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer by private motorboat to the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice for a five night stay. Settle into your room before meeting for a Venetian Spritz aperitif masterclass followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D)

Day 2 Burano & Torcello Islands.

This morning we will take a private motor launch to visit two of the most important islands of the Northern Lagoon. We sail from Murano and across the Northern Lagoon, passing by the abandoned islet of Madonna del Monte to reach Burano, a tiny island dotted with brightly painted houses. We will have a stroll along its picturesque ‘calli’ and learn more about lace making, the exquisite local craft still practised by some of the local women. We continue by sailing across to Torcello where we can walk the paths of the nature reserve and see the spectacular Byzantine mosaics in the 7th century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, before lunch at the renowned Locanda Cipriani. After lunch we return to Murano for a free afternoon to relax or explore the island, before we have dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Pellestrina Island & Mussel farming cruise in the Southern Lagoon.

This morning we will board our private launch and transfer to Pellestrina, the thin strip of land that, together with the Lido, separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. After a brief walk in the village, we will board a local fishing boat for a cruise on the Southern Lagoon to discover how mussels, one of Venice’s most renowned seafood delicacies, are farmed and harvested. We will have the chance to learn more about lagoon life and the local fishing industry from our guide and the fishermen themselves. We will then enjoy a unique lunch featuring the catch of the day served on the top deck of our fishing boat, while we sail back towards Pellestrina. The remainder of the day and dinner are at leisure for independent exploration. Transfer options back to Murano Island or the St Mark’s area will be available after the cruise, for those wishing to go into Venice’s historical centre. (B, L)

Day 4 San Lazzaro & Sant’ Erasmo Islands.

Today we have planned a visit to two other important islands of the lagoon, which are not regularly visited by tourists. Our transportation will be a “Bragozzo”, a traditional wooden fishing and transport boat of the Adriatic Sea, which disappeared with the advent of modern fishing boats. With its flat bottom designed to sail in shallow waters, this type of boat is normally decorated reinterpreting the classical Venetian designs. We will first visit San Lazzaro degli Armeni, a small islet in front of the Venice Lido that has housed one of the world’s main Armenian Mekhitarist monasteries since the early 1700s. Sailing up the lagoon, we will then stop at Sant’ Erasmo Island, Venice’s very own fruit and vegetable orchard. During our walk we will discover some of the vegetable gardens and unique products of the lagoon and we will enjoy an al-fresco lunch in one of the local restaurants. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon for some time to relax before we meet for dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Morning at leisure & Venissa Estate.

After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure to relax or to explore independently, perhaps taking a stroll around Murano Island like a true local. We will meet in the late afternoon and transfer to Mazzorbo Island, where we are in for a treat. We will visit the renowned Venissa estate, a cloistered vineyard where the Dorona di Venezia wine variety has found a magical equilibrium on a land that is constantly threatened by salt and water. After a wine tasting, we will enjoy our farewell dinner at their contemporary osteria on the island. (B, D)

Day 6 Venice to London.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return scheduled flight to London. (B)