NEW! Italy, Africa & Iberia Discovery

View this storied city from the Venice Lagoon’s languid waters and explore legendary St. Mark’s Square on foot. From your berth in Fusina, board your shuttle boat and transfer to Venice, passing waterside palazzos and piazzas along the way. Disembark at the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi, then set off on foot with your guide to historic St. Mark’s Square, crossing the historic bridges that link the waterfront. Take in the views of the splendid Gothic-Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and its grand Campanile bell tower and see the Doge’s Palace and other nearby attractions. Napoleon Bonaparte allegedly referred to Piazza San Marco as “the drawing room of Europe,” cementing its reputation as one of Venice’s most significant public squares. After time to explore, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Explore Venice by foot and you will uncover treasures that are invisible to those who explore only by boat. This walking tour takes you through the narrow streets and passageways of the Venice that many never see. You will transfer by boat to Cornoldi Pier, where you will meet your local guide. Pass through the impressive Porta Magna, the imposing entrance to the Venetian Arsenal; this medieval shipyard constructed the Republic’s naval ships. At the San Giorgio dei Greci church, built in 1548, admire the lovely campanile. You will also pass the birthplace of one of Veniceʹs famous sons, explorer Marco Polo, before crossing the famed Rialto Bridge, the oldest in the city, to the thriving market, a commercial hub of Venice for centuries. After your tour, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Stroll past the famous Dogeʹs Palace and to beautiful St. Markʹs Basilica on this walking tour of Venice. Embark on a panoramic boat ride to the famed St. Mark’s Square and step into the splendor of La Serenissima (the Most Serene). With your guide, you will view the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of government for the Venetian Republic and Courts of Justice. The present palace was built in the 14th century in the Venetian Gothic style. In the heart of St. Mark’s Square, admire the Campanile, the cathedral’s bell tower that famously collapsed in 1902. An exact replica was built 10 years later. You will also visit the grand interior of St. Markʹs Basilica, a beautiful cathedral built in the shape of a Greek cross. The basilica houses the bones of St. Mark, smuggled out of Alexandria by Venetian merchants in 828.

Indulge in your very own private gondola ride for the ultimate romantic experience in Venice. There is no more enchanting way to see both the grand and hidden corners of Venice. These distinctive flat-bottomed boats were once the principal mode of transport in the city; today, they remain prevalent, piloted by skilled rowers in striped shirts. Transfer by boat to Cornoldi Pier and meet your escort at the gondola boarding station. Then, journey through the magical canals of Venice—just you, your traveling companion and your gondolier. The city takes on another guise from the water, as you serenely glide below small, picturesque bridges with medieval buildings towering above. Your ride is unguided and your exact route will depend on water traffic. After, you will enjoy a glass of prosecco before taking a stroll through St. Mark’s Square on the way back to your ship.

Enjoy an immersive experience with a local home cook who will introduce you to specialties of Venice. Upon arrival in Venice, meet your Cesarine host, a member of a community of skilled home cooks who embody the warmth of traditional Italian cuisine and hospitality by opening their homes to visitors from around the globe. They seek to preserve Italy’s food culture and foster lasting connections between travelers and locals. Accompany them to gather ingredients, then step into their home kitchen, ready to uncover the secrets of Italian cuisine. Discover traditional techniques for pasta-making and watch as your host demonstrates how to prepare tiramisù or classic buranelli cookies, a buttery shortbread perfect for dipping into a cup of hot coffee. Enjoy your creations with a glass of local wine and other Venetian specialties.

Discover two of Venice’s most beautiful outlying islands and linger in one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. Meet your local guide and take a leisurely cruise along the Giudecca Canal, passing St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. Dock at the island of Murano, nicknamed “Island of the Flames”; all of Venice’s glassmaking was moved here in 1291 to reduce the risk of fires in the city. You will visit one of the leading glass manufacturers and witness a master craftsman at work. On Burano, a charming island lined with brightly colored houses, learn about Venice’s lace-making industry and stroll along quaint cobblestone streets. You will have time to shop for handicrafts before returning to your ship.

Stroll through the heart of storied Venice during a captivating tour past this famous city’s iconic landmarks. Transfer from Fusina to Santa Lucia, where you will meet your knowledgeable guide and set out through the streets of this renowned city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the fine collection of works by the Mannerist painter Tintoretto that are on display at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, then pass by the 13th-century Gothic-style Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari at Campo dei Frari. Explore Rialto and its colorful canal-side markets and enjoy a typical Venetian aperitif before continuing on your way through the labyrinth of streets to the elegant Scala del Bovolo, best known for its external multi-arch spiral staircase. Cap your tour in picturesque St. Mark’s Square—home to its famed basilica, the Campanile and Doge’s Palace—then return to your awaiting ship.

Enter the secret passageways of Venice’s Doge’s Palace, the halls, rooms and chambers hidden from the public eye. With your local guide, you will slip away from the crowds through a small door into the lowest levels of the palace. Here, stone cells held prisoners of the Venetian Republic behind its thick doors. Ascend to the upper floors via narrow, steep stairways to the sparse offices of the staff who performed the delicate work of building and maintaining a republic. Heading farther upward still, you will see the cells reserved for political prisoners and spies, including its most famous captive, Casanova, who was arrested for seduction in 1753. Return to the palace’s public spaces to tour the luxurious staterooms and the breathtaking Great Council Room. Explore St. Mark’s Square before returning to your ship.

Explore the history and culture of Romeo and Juliet’s Verona on a guided walking tour. Set along the banks of the Adige River, this vibrant northern Italian city is renowned as the setting for William Shakespeare’s famous love story. A former Roman colony, it quickly rose to prominence and wealth due to its location; today, it remains a treasure trove of Roman-era riches. Drive to Verona, where you will meet your local guide and set off on foot to admire some of its most famous landmarks. You will see the well-preserved Arena, built during the 1st century AD and still used today for concerts and performances. Admire the picturesque Piazza delle Erbe (“Herb Square”), long a center of Veronese life and framed by old mansions and modern cafés, restaurants and boutiques. See the so-called Juliet’s House and enjoy lunch, then return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in the historic sights of Venice and take a ride in an iconic gondola along this famed waterway. Transfer from Fusina to Santa Lucia, then accompany your guide on a journey through the streets of this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the fine collection of works by Mannerist painter Tintoretto at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, then pass by the 13th-century Gothic-style Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari at Campo dei Frari. Explore lively Rialto and its colorful canal-side markets and enjoy a typical Venetian aperitif. Afterward, board your gondola for a scenic boat ride through the city’s romantic small canals, passing under small bridges and by ancient buildings. Cap your tour in picturesque St. Mark’s Square, where you will have an opportunity to view its famed basilica, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace, before returning to your ship.

Experience a romantic and mesmerizing gondola ride through the canals of Venice. These distinctive flat-bottomed boats, once the principal mode of transport in this waterborne city, are today its timeless symbol. Transfer by boat to Cornoldi Pier and walk through the narrow streets to the gondola boarding station. Board your vessel with assistance, then glide through a magical Venice with your fellow passengers—never more than six in a gondola. Your sojourn is unguided and your route will be determined by water traffic, so you will easily be captivated by the surprises around every bend. The city takes on another guise from the water, and you are sure to be entranced by the picturesque bridges with medieval buildings towering above. Afterward, take a stroll through St. Mark’s Square before returning to your ship.

Visit Venice’s glassmaking center and a centuries-old monastery on two of the most beautiful Venice Lagoon islands. Meet your local guide for a panoramic canal cruise, passing St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. On the island of Murano, learn about the glassmaking trade that was moved here in 1291 to reduce the risk of fires in the city. At one of the leading glass manufacturers, you can witness a master craftsman at work. You will also visit the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, home of a breathtaking monastery. The 16th-century church is home to The Last Supper and The Gathering of the Manna, two masterworks by the painter Tintoretto. Enjoy a tour from your knowledgeable local guide before returning to your ship.

Explore the passageways of the Doge’s Palace and experience a romantic gondola ride through Venice’s canals. From your berth in Fusina, board your boat and transfer to Venice, passing waterside palazzos and piazzas along the way. Disembark at the landing pontoon and head to the Doge’s Palace, where stone cells once held prisoners of the Venetian Republic behind its doors. Once the seat of government for the Venetian Republic and Courts of Justice, the present palace was built in the 14th century in the Venetian Gothic style. Explore its halls, rooms and hidden chambers then head to St. Mark’s Square to view the Campanile and St. Mark’s Basilica. At the gondola boarding station, board your vessel with assistance then enjoy a captivating ride through the canals. After, enjoy free time to explore St. Mark’s Square before returning to your ship.