The Venetian Republic ruled Adriatic waves for a millennium. During the 8th century as the Roman Empire began to decline, many Europeans fled to Venice and its neighboring towns, including Chioggia. Merchants put their skills to use, and the city-state was soon thriving. The Venetian Lagoon’s canal banks feature buildings influenced by Byzantine and Islamic architecture, reflecting Venice’s powerful trading network. The first vaporetto traversed the Grand Canal in 1881; alongside the gondolas, these iconic Venetian water buses are at the heart of Venice’s transport network.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.Videos
Venice’s Most Unusual Bookstore
Join Karine at Libreria Acqua Alta, a Venetian hidden treasure. This extraordinary shop is run by the charismatic Luigi Frizzo, who believes that books “make your soul come alive.”
Discover Venice
Whether you are interested in art, architecture, music or history, romantic Venice has it all. Once the center of the cultured Venetian Republic, it retains an unrivaled old-world charm.
Cooking with Karine: A Real Contessa
In her centuries-old Palazzo Tiepolo on the Grand Canal, Contessa Lelia Passi teaches Karine to make risi e bisi, a risotto of rice and peas.
Beyond Venice’s Gondolas
Gondolas are icons of Venice, but countless other boats and people keep this car-free city running smoothly. Join Karine for a glimpse at the city’s diverse water-oriented infrastructure.
