SWT Tours: Senior Women's Travel: Venice and Florence

VENICE & FLORENCE ARE THE DYNAMIC DUO THAT SHOULD, IF YOU CAN, BE SEEN IN TANDEM WITH ONE ANOTHER.
EACH CITY ASTOUNDS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
VENICE HAS MAGIC, MYSTICAL APPEAL UNMATCHED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
FLORENCE INTRIGUES ON ANOTHER LEVEL.
AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE A FAVORITE

Day 1
Arrive in Venice.
Transfer on your own to our ideally located hotel just a short walk from St. Marks and a close by vaporetto stop.
Late afternoon...Private water taxi tour of the glorious Grand Canal with its magnificent palazzi, the Rialto Bridge and secluded canals. We toast this glorious city with a glass of prosecco, the sparkling white wine that is the champagne of the region.
Next, it’s Tea at Jeremys in his private apartment overflowing with books, antiques and hospitality. It’s a Sunday Salon where Jeremy, a Brit who teaches at Foscari University, welcomes other ex-pats. Writers and entrepreneurs living la dolce vita in Venice. Warm and friendly.

Day 2
9am St.Mark’s Square …Meet Luisella for highlights of the history of Venice narrated with the backdrop of the magnificent St. Mark’s Church and the Doge’s Palace…Fascinating accounts of the doges, Napoleon, the library, the famous cafes and more.
The artists of the Renaissance, Titian and Tintoretto and Veronese and Bellini are the giants of the era, their masterworks seen in-situ, not in a museum. Visit the Scuola of San Rocco with its amazing collection of over 50 Tintoretto. Also the Chiesa dei Frari, a massive church with its magnificent Assumption by Titian.

Day 3
Visit the Rialto Market in the morning. Marvel at the more than 100 species of fish, gleaming vegetables, my favorite place to buy gorgonzola dolce, and a tiny wine bar with unbeatable small bites (cicchetti) and bargain glasses of wine.
Afternoon…Stroll the back streets of the city, the perfect way to get to know Venice. The magnificent palazzo, the Ca’d”Oro is our destination where we will learn about the decoration of the Renaissance home. Discussion will contrast the differences between women and men of the Renaissance.

Day 4
Murano with a trip to a producing glass factory. Make your way through some of the shops and enjoy a lovely lunch…outdoors if the weather is good.
Afternoon…Free for shopping, squeeze in any one of at least 10 remarkable museums

Day 5
Morning express train to Florence arriving about 1:30pm.
Lunch at one of the city’s wonderful small restaurants.
Time to explore some of the boutiques
5:30PM…We meet our guide, Siro who leads us on a central city orientation tour that gives us a clear picture of all the most important squares and celebrated monuments.
Group dinner

Day 6
The Duomo, the iconic symbol of Florence comes alive with our in depth study of this architectural wonder.Recommended reading, Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King,a fascinating account that chronicles the decades of building the Duomo and the genius of its main architect, Brunelleschi.
Evening…A rowdy evening at the Teatro del Sale where we’ll enjoy a bounteous buffet followed by entertainment. A unique experience and lots of fun.

Day 7
The Vasari Corridor…my personal favorite. This mile long walk is built above the street and stretches from the inside of the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace You pass over the Ponte Vecchio, homes and even a church. Finish with the unique self-portrait gallery with hundreds of pictures donated by the artists.
To make this visit affordable, we take a public tour that includes an overview of the Uffizi.
Day 8…Leave for home or continue with Florence Focus itinerary adding an extra 3 days.

Cost $3575: 7 nights hotel, single occupancy (no single supplement),7 breakfasts, all tours mentioned in itinerary, group dinner in Venice, Teatro d’Sale dinner and entertainment in Florence,3 day vaporetto pass in Venice

3 extra days in Florence: $1690 see days 4, 5. 6 in Florence Focus

Not included: airfare, airport transfer, lunches, other dinners, Accademia in Venice and Florence, coffee stops, wine or alcoholic beverages, personal expenses