Venice School Vacation Week 7 DAYS: Saturday, April 14 Friday, April 20, 2018

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1 Pre-Departure Itinerary Venice School Vacation Week 7 DAYS: Saturday, April 14 Friday, April 20, 2018 YOU VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE VENICE! This exotic lagoon city, built on a hundred islands in the Adriatic, is a watery labyrinth of sun-speckled canals and arched bridges, marble palaces, piazzas both massive and tiny, narrow streets and a glorious quay-side promenade all in a car-free zone! The heart of Venice, Piazza San Marco, looks as perfect as a film set. The iconic Basilica, Doges Palace, Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sighs are everything you ve hoped for. Your first cruise (by gondola or vaporetto) down the Grand Canal the most beautiful street in Venice, surrounded by opulent architecture and bustling with water-craft is an unforgettable experience! You ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the San Marco area and then it s time to indulge: visit the marvelous Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Ca Rezzonico with its 18th-century art and decadent furnishings; wander down mysterious passageways, listen to music in a floodlit square, sip a Bellini at Bar Longhi at Hotel Gritti Palace. No matter where you go, you ll find history, beauty and romance. An endlessly seductive charm. Rick Steves

2 Rates $2,499 person double occupancy $3,434 for single reservations Includes round-trip airfare, fuel surcharge and all air taxes and fees. Fuel surcharge, taxes and fees subject to change. Passport required. Per person deposit is $500. Includes Round-trip regularly scheduled flights from Boston to Venice Five nights' four-star accommodations at the Hotel Bonvecchiati Breakfast daily Half-day guided walking tour with admission to Doges Palace Escorted round-trip, private airport/hotel transfers Saturday, April 14: Departure from Boston Depart from Boston on our overnight flight to Venice, via a connecting city. Accommodations Hotel Bonvecchiati San Marco, Calle Goldoni Venice, Italy Tel Featuring its own water landing for gondolas and water taxis, Hotel Bonvecchiati of Venice is a 5-minute walk from Saint Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. Rooms are individual designed in a classic Venetian or a modern style. Each room has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, and a private bathroom with bathrobe and slippers. Some rooms have views of the canal or the surrounding rooftops. Breakfast is buffet style. Restaurant La Terrazza offers Venetian, classic Italian and international cuisine, all served on the waterside terrace. Meals are accompanied by a wide selection of wines from the on-site wine cellar. This 4-star hotel is decorated with fresh flowers, and has a free gym. The staff is available 24 hours a day and speaks fluent English. It is just over 1 miles from Venezia Santa Lucia Train Station. San Marco is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, history and romance. This is our guests' favorite part of Venice, according to independent reviews.

3 Sunday, April 15: Arrive Venice Upon arrival we ll proceed through immigration and passport control and retrieve our luggage. After clearing customs we pass into the Arrivals Hall and be met by our local representative and transferred to the Hotel Gabrielli. Check in and receive room assignments. Overnight at the hotel. Monday, April 16: Venice After breakfast, we ll meet our guide for a walking tour of Venice, during which we ll see the main sights including Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and more. Experience a guided visit inside the Doge's Palace. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

4 Tuesday, April 17- Thursday, April 19: Venice Enjoy breakfast today and have the day free to explore this marvelous city. (B) Friday, April 20: Return to Boston Depart your hotel in the morning for your private transfer to the airport for your return flight to Boston. There will be meal service en route. (B) Proof of Citizenship is required for all trips outside the United States. U.S. citizens require valid Passport. Passports are the responsibility of each client. PLEASE NOTE: This pre-departure itinerary is designed to give you an idea of how this itinerary is structured. We reserve the right to make any changes to your final itinerary if deemed necessary, at any time prior to departure. PLEASE NOTE: This is not your final itinerary. You will receive final documents (itinerary, tickets (if applicable), etc.) approximately 2 3 weeks prior to departure. Although we try our best to ensure that information is accurate at the time of publication, we are not responsible for any error, omission, misprint or liability that results from the use (or misuse) of this information.

5 Venice Introduction: Venice is one of Italy's top travel cities and a beautiful, romantic destination with many attractions. Its small, traffic-free streets along the winding canals make for great walking. You'll find many magnificent churches and palaces, lively squares, and interesting shops. Venice actually consists of 117 bodies of land connected by more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. The Grand Canal is like main street, cutting through the center of the city. Transportation in Venice: The main public transport in Venice is the vaporetti, boats that ply the principal waterways. The #1 goes along the Grand Canal from the train station and makes many stops, so its a good way to cruise the main canal and get a good overview of the city. There are also more expensive water taxis and gondolas. Venice's Neighborhoods:

6 Venice is divided into six sections or sestieri. The Cannaregio is near the station. Also on the same side of the Grand Canal are San Marco and Castello. Santa Croce is across the Grand Canal from the train station and San Polo and the Dorsoduro are across the canal from St. Mark's. Top Things You Must See and Do in Venice Piazza San Marco Venice's largest piazza, Saint Mark's Square, is the city's main meeting place. Lined by cafés and a number of museums, here is the place to get a glimpse of the Venice's glorious architecture and the sea. Doge's Palace During the 1,000-year reign of the Republic of Venice, its headquarters and the residence of its leader, the Doge - were at the Doge's Palace, now a museum. Get a glimpse of the rooms occupied by Venice's executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as go on the Secret Itineraries Tour, which include access to tortune chambers, prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs. Basilica San Marco This superb example of Byzantine architecture next to the Doge's Palace is dedicated to Venice's patron and is Venice's main basilica. Treasures inside Saint Mark's Basilica include glistening Byzantine mosaics and paintings by leading Venetian artists. Rialto Bridge This ornamental stone bridge on the Grand Canal is one of the most famous bridges in Venice and is an icon of the city. Take a stroll across the Rialto Bridge and enjoy its lively shops and markets. Galleria dell'accademia The leading place to see Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries is the Galleria dell'accademia. Its collection of works by Paolo Veneziano, Tiepolo, and Titian make it one of the top museums in Venice. Guggenheim Collection Modern art lovers will love the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of the first contemporary art museums in Italy. The museum houses priceless works from the leaders of 20th century painting including Pollock, Klee, Mondrian, and de Chirico. Take a Gondola Ride While a gondola ride is not always the romantic activity it's cracked up to be, it is quintessential Venice. A gondola ride through the city's network of canals is also a fantastic way to explore some of Venice's most famous bridges and buildings. Visit the Venetian Lagoon, Islands, and Beaches Venice is situated on a lagoon that includes islands and beaches suitable for a day trip. The top day trips include excursions to Murano, Burano, and/or Torcello, where you can watch craftsmen create their famous glass works or to the Venice Lido, which has a beautiful strip of beaches. The Most Famous Bridges in Venice, Italy Venice, the "City of Canals," is also called the "City of Bridges" because of the numerous spans that crisscross its waterways. While many of Venice's 400+ bridges are nondescript and practical, there are several that embody the beauty and the history of this fascinating city. Here are the bridges to seek out on a trip to Venice. Bridge of Sighs This infamous footbridge connects the Doge's Palace with the Prigioni (prisons). Though many visitors find this bridge and its name romantic, it offered prisoners of the Venetian Republic a final opportunity to view the city before they were led to their cells or to the executioner. The Italian name for the Bridge of Sighs is Ponte dei Sospiri.

7 Rialto Bridge Just as famous as the Bridge of Sighs and equally photogenic, the Rialto Bridge is the main pedestrian crossing over the Grand Canal. Rows of shops line each side of this wide, ched bridge and the famous Rialto food market is nearby. Academy Bridge The Academy Bridge (Ponte dell'accademia) is so named because it crosses the Grand Canal at the Galleria dell'accademia, one of the top museums in Venice. While the Ponte dell'accademia is not a new bridge it was first erected in the mid-19th century then replaced in the 1930s it is interesting for its high arch construction and the fact that it is wooden. The current Academy Bridge dates from 1985, when the 1930s bridge was deemed too dangerous. Scalzi Bridge Named for the nearby Chiesa degli Scalzi, literally the "church of the barefoot monks," the Scalzi Bridge is an elegant stone span that links the Santa Croce and Cannaregio neighborhoods. The Scalzi Bridge dates from 1934 and is one of four bridges over the Grand Canal. If you are arriving in Venice via rail to the Santa Lucia Station, the Scalzi Bridge will be one of the first bridges you will cross after disembarking. HERE S SOME SUGGESTIONS: 1. See three major sights in one square Standing in the middle of the magnificent piazza San Marco is an experience in itself: Napoleon referred to it as the drawing room of Europe, apt today as, at times, it appears that much of Europe s population is crammed into this great square. But it's St Mark s basilica (Basilica di San Marco), often seen as the living testimony of Venice s links with Byzantium; Doge s Palace, once Venice's political and judicial hub; and Torre dell Orologio, a clock tower built between 1496 and 1506, that are, not just the square's, but some of the city's main attractions. 2. Get around in a gondola No trip to Venice would be complete without a punt down one of the city's picturesque waterways in an iconic gondola. The Istituzione per la Conservazione della Gondola e Tutela del Gondoliere (Gondola Board; , website has recommended itineraries. Prices below are for the hire of the gondola, for six passengers or less. Having your own personal crooner will push the fare up. 3. Tour the Venetian masters of art Venice is a unique and precious repository of art. From the late Middle Ages until the mid 18th century, artists of the highest caliber left thier mark all over the city and works by Venice's grand masters Titian (c ), Tintoretto (c ), Canaletto ( ) and Tiepolo ( ) can still be viewed in situ today. See Titian s glorious 'Assumption' above the high altar at I Frari, Tintoretto's epic masterpiece 'Crucifixion' at Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and Tiepolo's monumental frescos at the Pietà and Ca Rezzonico. For a one-stop-shop of Venice s foremost artistic treasures, head for the Gallerie dell Accademia. 4. Take some aperitivo time Italians are assiduous frequenters of their favourite bar for an evening aperitivi. At aperitivo time Venice s cool crowd line up drinks and cicheti (snacks) in the bars at the north-western foot of the Rialto bridge. Stake your claim at a Grand Canal-facing table at Naranzaria or Bancogiro. Alternatively, head to Ardidos for the coolest design, Al Marcà for an ombra (bit of shade) on the hoof or Skyline Bar for a drink with a view. 5. Get a bird's-eye view of Venice At almost 99m (325ft), the Campanile is the city s tallest building, originally built between 888 and 912 (in July 1902 it collapsed, imploding in a neat pyramid of rubble. It was rebuilt exactly 'as it was, where it was', as the town council of the day promised). Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III rode a

8 horse to the top of the original in 1451; these days visitors take the lift. The view is superb, taking in the Lido, the whole lagoon and (on a clear day) the Dolomites in the distance. 6. Take a tour of the Grand Canal A wonderful way to take in the Grand Canal is on board a vaporetto (a rounded 230-passenger boat). The canal may no longer be teeming with merchandise-laden cargo boats, but it is still the main thoroughfare of Venice, and only a little imagination is needed to understand its historical importance. The three and a half kilometre (two-mile) trip from the railway station to San Marco provides a superb introduction to the city, telling you more about the way Venice works and has always worked than any historical tome. Every family of note had to have a palazzo here, and this was not just for reasons of social snobbery. The palazzi are undeniably splendid but they were first and foremost solid commercial enterprises, and their designs are as practical as they are eye-catching. 7. Get a taste for true Venetian cuisine Try traditional dishes from the Veneto like oca in onto (goose in its own fat) or freshwater lagoon fish done in saor at Antica Adelaide, get the best polpette (meatballs) in Venice at Ca d Oro (Alla Vedova), and a strong selection of Venetian antipasti, including raw sea food, at Vini da Gigio. 8. Down a glass (or two) of Venetian vino The wine-growing area that stretches from the Veneto north-east to Friuli is, after Tuscany and Piedmont, one of Italy s strongest, with good whites like tocai and soave backed up by solid reds like valpolicella and cabernet franc. This means that, even in Venice s humbler establishments, you ll find that the house wine is often surprisingly refined. Try Pane, Vino e San Daniele a chain specialising in the wine and ham of the Friuli region; La Favorita, which has a fine selection of bottles from the northeast; Alla Maddalena, where the house wine comes from the family s own vineyards; Alle Testiere, which has a small but well-chosen wine list; and Naranzaria, a nouveau-bacaro which offers a selection of fine wines many of them produced by co-owner Brandino Brandolini. 9. Experience (well-played) Vivaldi in Venice For many, experiencing Vivaldi in Venice is an absolute must. But more discerning music-lovers might feel somewhat Baroqued out by the predictable programmes performed by local groups, whose technical ability rarely goes beyond the so-so to fairly good range. Exceptions are the Venice Baroque Orchestra, a global success, and the orchestra of La Fenice, one of the best in the country. As well as its opera and ballet seasons, La Fenice has at least two concert seasons a year. The Teatro Malibran shares the Fenice s programmes and also has its own chamber music season, with performances by the Società Veneziana dei Concerti. Mestre s Teatro Toniolo also has a symphony and chamber music season. Most other musical events take place in Venice s churches or scuole. St Mark s basilica holds a smattering of ceremonial concerts throughout the year, with the patriarch deciding who is to attend. But lovers of sacred music should catch one of two regular Sunday appointments: the sung Mass at St Mark s (10.30am) and the Gregorian chant on the island of San Giorgio (11am). 10. Cool down with a delicious gelato Most Venetians agree that some of the city s best gelato is served in Boutique del Gelato, a tiny outlet on busy salizzada San Lio. Be prepared to be patient though, because there s always a huge crowd waiting to be served. See it as quality assurance it s worth the wait. At Alaska Gelateria-Sorbetteria Carlo Pistacchi is passionate about making ice-cream and experimenting with new flavours using only the freshest natural ingredients. Stick to tried and true choices such as hazelnut or yoghurt, or branch out to sample seasonally changing exotic flavours, such as artichoke, fennel, asparagus or ginger. 11. Walk in James Bond's footsteps To the east of campo Santo Stefano, campiello Pisani is overlooked by the impressive 17th-century Palazzo Pisani, now the music conservatory. The palace was used for the shoot-out at the end of the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. An earlier Bond came to blows in the Torre dell Orologio.

9 Film buffs should also recognise the church of San Nicolò dei Mendicoli from Nicolas Roeg s dwarf-in- Venice movie Don t Look Now. Other locations used include the recently opened Palazzo Grimani where the gruesome final scene was shot. 12. Try on some prison threads Giudecca s women s prison produces some amazing goods. Behind the high walls of a 13th-century former convent on the fondamenta delle Convertite, the 80-odd inmates of the Casa di Reclusione Femminile (women s prison) run a tailors workshop, which hit the headlines some years ago when it came up with faithful reproductions of splendid 18th-century costumes for Palazzo Mocenigo. The workshop continues to produce period costumes for purchase, and to hire at Carnevale time but also does a healthy business in contemporary clothes, sequin-encrusted bags, jewellery, a variety of accessories and cushions in plush brocades, all of which are on sale at Banco No.10 (Castello 3478, salizada Sant Antonin), near the church of San Giovanni in Bragora. 13. Pick up a serenissima souvenir In among the shops peddling tourist tack are a few gems selling genuine quality Venetian goods. Head to Vittorio Costantini for exquisite glass and original lamps, Martinuzzi for real local lace, Gaggio for fine fabrics and Attombri for sumptuous jewellery. When seeking out the real thing, always bear in mind: if it's cheap, it's almost certainly not genuine. 14. Take a waterside-bar break Water, water everywhere, and some wonderful places to drink. The best waterside bars include Al Chioschetto for enjoying the Zattere, Vincent Bar for leafy lagoon calm and Taverna del Campiello Remer for a Grand Canal perch. 15. Drink like a Venetian To the usual Italian breakfast, light snacks, pastries and alcoholic beverages routine, Venice contributes its own specialities: the ombra and the spritz. The former is a tiny glass of wine bianco or rosso which is knocked back in no time and is often the whole point of a giro di ombre an ombra-crawl around selected bacari (the accent is on the first a ). A spritz is an aperitivo of white wine, Campari and a shot of seltzer or sparkling water; a sweeter version is made with low-alcohol Aperol. Also flowing freely into Venetian glasses are prosecco, the bubbly white made in the hills of the Veneto region, and spento, a bubble-free version of the same wine. GETTING AROUND If you really want more for your money, skip the overpriced gondola ride for a more scenic tour on the vaporetto, a water bus that charges a measly 6. Besides the savings of up to 80, you get a view of the entire city center that the gondola rides don t offer. However, for those who really want the experience of riding on the iconic Venetian boat, there is still the traghetti: old gondolas stripped of traditional furnishings and rowed by two oarsmen. These boats travel across the Grand Canal, meaning that the view is not as panoramic as the vaporetto, but it is equally dramatic. Amazingly, only three bridges cross the canal, but you can catch a traghetto at any of its seven stops. The ride costs mere pocket change about half a euro. EATING LIKE A VENETIAN One thing you won t worry about in Venice: food. Good food from cheap eats to gourmet cuisine can be found all over the city. Of course, in Venice, there s the classic choice, the pizzeria. And, why not? For less than 5, you can taste the local flavor without emptying your wallet.

10 Though its location under the wooden Accademia Bridge next to the Grand Canal may seem like a tourist trap, Pizzeria Accademia offers surprisingly tasty and inexpensive pizza. Best of all, you won t be rushed out to make room for the next batch of customers. You can linger as long as you want, which, considering the view, is a plus. Hidden in one of Venice s countless alleys, Pizzeria Ai Sportivi isn t easy to find, but worth it if you want huge, delicious pizzas. Located in the Dorsoduro district at the southern end of the Campo Santa Margerita, the pizzeria may be lacking on the view, but its pizzas have enough flavor to draw in the customers. On top of this, Pizzeria Ai Sportivi is of the rare places in Venice that doesn t charge a coperto (a cover charge). If you re on a budget, steer clear of restaurants and fill up on tramezzini small sandwiches that are cheap and portable. They are sold at most all of the bars and cafes in Venice, even at gelato shops. One good stop is Enoteca do Colonne at 1814 Cannaregio, which serves sandwiches filled with the usual prosciutto or salami and also the unusual like musetto (pork snout) and nerveti (boiled veal tendons). Check out the bacari, which are wine bars that serve small plates known as cicheti (similar to tapas). Like the meals, a bottle of wine from these shops is usually inexpensive. Near the Rialto Bridge, in Campo San Giacometto, try the Bancogiro, with plenty of selections and another good view of the Grand Canal. If you want to get away from the crowd of visitors, at San Lio you ll find the Osteria al Portego, a small, but warm osteria that is popular among the locals and have few tourists. The bacaro is very traditional eat cicheti at the counter and wash it down with wine, which is poured from real wooden barrels!