PORTS OF CALL

Venice, Italy

Bari, Italy

Katakolon, Greece

Santorini, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Rhodes, Greece

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Venice, Italy

Take a walking tour of Venice to visit St. Mark’s Square, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, the Doge Palace, the Armory, the Basilica and other places of historic and architectural interest. Or discover Venice through its canals with a panoramic tour by boat. Take a ride in a gondola. Visit the Island of Maurano, famous for it’s glass production, and watch master glass artists at work. Dine in the square or along the canal and take in the lively scenery of Venice!

Average Temperature in September is Mid 70’s for highs, and low 60’s for lows.

Below is a short overview of Venice, Italy. For more detailed information click on the link below which includes the history of Venice, maps, and photos of some of the most famous places you may want to visit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice#Origins_and_history

General Information

Venice is composed of 117 islands in the Venetian Lagoon and held together by a series of canals and like no other city in the world. Established more than 1,000 years ago by seafarers and Roman refugees. Venice is considered the city of art. The extraordinary architecture was built on an archipelago of small islands separated by a network of canals crossed by approximately 400 bridges, once wooden and then replaced by stone.

The Grand Canal is the main city artery. It is crossed by three bridges dividing the city in two parts.  Water transport prevails over land travel, with gondolas, ships, ferries, and yachts serving as taxis to transport people and goods. There are few main roads and several small narrow streets developed along canals, as well as squares adjacent to churches and bell towers where motor vehicles are not allowed. The Grand Canal, offers a quick view of the most beautiful palaces in Venice: the Academia, the Cà d'Oro, the Casino, the palace of the Biennial, the University, the Chiesa della Salute and the popular Rialto bridge and up to Piazza San Marco where the canal opens into a wide area. Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice and its symbol. It is an architectural jewel and one of the most beautiful squares in Italy.  In the past, religious and civil ceremonies took place in this square and also the famous Carnival.  At its end, there is the Basilica and the Clock Tower. The coffee bars and restaurants surrounding it are pleasant meeting places.

Places to Visit

Probably the most famous site in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. Built to enshrine St. Mark's body in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century with a new, spectacular edifice. The interior is clad in wonderful mosaics and holds statues, icons, and its famous horses, brought to St. Mark's after the 4th Crusade in 1204.  See the Doge's Palace, official residence of the Venetian ruler, founded in the 9th century and its famous Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to the state prisons. Take a walking tour through the quaint cobblestone streets and across the endless Venetian bridges to discover the intimate details that make Venice so unique.  Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals as you relax and absorb the surroundings.

Glass blowing is particularly interesting and takes place on the Island of Murano, with several expert workshops in blown glass and artistic crystal manufacture. The manufacture of the so-called "murrine" is particularly difficult and beautiful. These are art decorations where colored glass is blown and cut inside glass globes with expertise and extraordinary precision. The manufacture of lace is also extraordinary. Several workshops continue to manufacture Venetian mirrors, made with ancient techniques, with silver plates on glass, enriched by glass frames with elegant shapes.
  
Italians rarely shop in supermarkets. Instead, most prefer specialty stores. You can buy cakes at the pasticceria, milk at the latteria, and pasta, ham and cheese at an alimentari. It's a fun and interesting way to shop, and you'll find that the food is always fresh and delicious.  

Local Currency

Euro (EUR) currency of the European Union is the official currency of Italy. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases.
 
Costa offers group excursions. For those interested click on the link below and enter Eastern Mediterranean as destination, Greece as country and then Mykonos as port of call.

More information to come for Venice hotel rates.

Excursions Finder