Explore Venice’s mosaics, monasteries and magnificent artistic creations
Visit the beautiful Ca’ Rezzonico, a museum of 18th century art and furniture housed in a palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal
Enjoy a visit by private boat to the island of San Francesco del Deserto for a guided tour of the monastery
"Tom Abbott's cultural knowledge and guiding manners are unsurpassed"
– ACE customer on a previous tour with Tom Abbott
This exploration of Venice, one of Europe’s richest cultural cities, will take in a wonderful array of art and architecture, across palazzi, galleries and churches.
Located in the middle of the Venetian Lagoon, the city today bears witness to its heritage as the Republic of Venice – a major financial and maritime power lasting from medieval times, through the Renaissance, until the 18th century. We will begin with a tour of the Doge’s Palace – where the work of the Venetian administration was carried out, and where the architecture and adornments speak of its function as a symbol of the city.
The Galleria dell’Accademia, located in the Dorsoduro district, houses the largest single collection of Venetian art, and offers an opportunity to view a range of paintings showcasing the Venetian masters’ accomplished use of colour. Whilst the concept of ‘disegno’ underpinned the Florentines’ approach to art during the Renaissance, in Venice, ‘colore’ was key. This involved not only the choice of colours themselves, but also their mode of application by layering and blending.
Our exploration of the richness of the Venetian palette will continue as we discover the city’s fine churches. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco contains superb decorative schemes by Tintoretto, a notable member of the Venetian school, while the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni is home to an exquisite cycle by Carpaccio, a student of Gentile Bellini.
Amongst other fascinating historical churches on our itinerary are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, known as ‘I Gesuiti’, with its stunning Baroque interior, and the Gothic Church of Madonna del Orto.
We will also enjoy excursions by boat to the islands of Burano, San Francesco del Deserto and Torcello: the latter is home to vivid Byzantine mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
This tour will be based at the four-star Hotel Ca’ dei Conti, housed in an elegant 18th century building located in the heart of Venice, a stone’s throw from the Piazza and Basilica San Marco, and adjoining a canal.
Our Tour Director, Tom Abbott, BA, MA, is an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. Tom is an accomplished lecturer and tour leader, with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe including in Italy. His expertise ranges from the medieval to the modern, and he is particularly fascinated by the Baroque and Rococo.
7
£2895
VEN2-24
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £375.
