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A Millennium Christmas Tour In VeniceTour Duration :
10 Days  Day 1:
THU DEC. 19 FLIGHT FROM US TO VENICE Day 2: FRI DEC. 20 Upon our arrival in Venice we'll board a vaporetto (boat) to view the many lavish, moonlight palaces along the Grand Canal on our way to the Europa & Regina Hotel. After some relaxation you’ll be formally greeted by Professor Hannibal and Ms. Cohrs at our special 'Welcome Banquet". After dinner stroll through romantic San Marco Square, dizzingly beautiful in thelamplight, then perhaps choose one of the cafes for an expresso or glass of wine. Day 3: SAT DEC. 21 Our morning begins with a visit to the greatest of all Venetian palaces, the Palazzo Ducale, seat of the Doge (ruler) and political power since the 9th century. The exterior of the palace is essentially Gothic, however the interior is largely late Renaissance due to disastrous fires in 1574 and 1577. After ascending the fine marble, Renaissance staircase surrounded by sculptures of Mars and Neptune, you'll admire the refined rooms and the paintings of great masters who decorated them. Astounding paintings by Veronese, Bellini, Titian, Carpaccio and Tintoretto line the walls and ceilings. This wealth of painting reaches its climax with the enormous "Paradise", one of Tintoretto's greatest works, said to contain over 1000 figures! You'll marvel at the view from the second floor loggia with its sweepings vistas of the St. Marks Square, the lagoon, the Isle of San Giorgo and on a clear day, the snow covered Italian Alps. Next you’ll cross from the main palace over the “Bridge of Sighs” to the still very spooky dungeons. Late afternoon is reserved for Christmas shopping, but first you’ll visit an authentic mask studio where several of the mask artists will explain the history and meaning of this delightful art form. Discover how it feels to disguise yourself as Leonardo or Zeus! Tonight join Joseph and Luisa and enjoy some of Venice's famous night life with a visit to the casino to try your hand at roulette or blackjack or join the revelry at one of the many distinguished jazz or wine bars. Day 4: MON DEC. 22 This morning you'll visit the Venetian equivalent of Michealangelo's Sistine Chapel, the rarely visited, Scuola San Rocco Grande where Tintoretto spent 24 years painting the walls and ceilings with splendid works depicting the life of Christ. “a flash, a clap, indeed even a thunderbolt which has struck all the loftiest heights of painting” was how the art historian,Marco Boschini described these works upon first seeing them in 1660! Here Tintoretto’s paintings display daring invention and an extraordinary use of light/dark interplay. Adjacent to the scuola is the Church of San Rocco containing eight more Tintoretto masterpieces. Both the scuola and the church are resplendent from their recent cleaning. A two minute walk brings us to the Frari (Santa Maria Gloriosa) Cathedral and monastery complex. This enormous Gothic-Renaissance church contains so many masterful paintings and sculptures that is almost a museum! You will find paintings by Bellini, (Madonna Enthroned and Child with Saints) maybe Bellini’s finest painting, Donatello, Vivarini, Titian (Our Lady of the Assumption ) and Tintoretto. Next check the Christmas offerings at some of Venice's most trendy designer stores on our way to the Early Renaissance facade of San Zaccaria. This church contains an abundance of important works by Bellini,Tintoretto and VIvarini. A brief visit down into the eerie, ancient crypt will quickly explain why it is rarely used today Day 5: TUE DEC. 23 Join Professor Hannibal and Ms. Cohrs this morning and visit some of Venice's less frequented, but highly picturesque areas. First we’ll photograph the overwhelming Baroque, illusionist ceiling of the Cathedral of San Pantalon, then stroll among the Venetians at one of the city’s most lively outdoor markets. Colorful fish mongers hawk their silvery wares, while amongst this den of noise and activity, the greengrocers try to out scream each other about the superiority of their lush vegetables. Next you’ll visit the obscure Cathedral and Scuola of San Carmine where Tiepolo created some of his loveliest and greatest works. You’ll ascend the flamboyant cherub packed stairwell to the upper story where the ceiling dance and sing with playfully colored paintings. Next door, we’ll visit the Cathedral of San Carmine, famous for its harmony of sculpture and painting Day 6: WED DEC. 24 This morning we are joined by an expert Jewish guide who will take us to the historic center of the Jewish 'Ghetto'(the term 'ghetto' was derived from the Venetian word, 'geto', meaning foundry). Beginning in the 15th century the Jewish community established their beautiful synagogues. When the Jews were expelled from Spain (1492) and Portugal (1497)many came to Venice and established their own synagogues, each with distinctive rites and rituals. You’ll enjoy the intelligence and humor of our special Jewish guide who will escort you through the synagogues and the museum. Then free time to prepare for your special evening. Tonight we’ll feast upon a six course traditional Venetian Christmas dinner served in the sumptuous setting of the Danieli Renaissance Palace. Our chefs will prepare mouth watering Venetian dishes complimented by special, non-exported, regional Venetian wines. Our Penthouse Dining Room overlooks the Grand Canal aglow with Christmas lights. After dinner join the Venetians at the 1000 year old San Marco Basilica, resplendent in its Christmas decor, for the glorious pageantry of High Midnight Mass. Day 7: THU DEC. 25 This morning is free. Afternoon walk through venice with professor Hannibal.
FRI DEC. 26 This morning Professor Hannibal and Ms. Cohrs will guide you through the greatest collection of Venetian paintings in the world at the Accademia Museum. You'll see Giorgione's mysterious "The Tempest" which still casts its hypnotic spell on viewers and several other rare works by this fascinating painter. Masterpieces by Titian, Veneziano, Mantegna, Tintoretto,Bellini and Veronese's controversial painting, "Feast in the House of Levi". You’ll marvel at the exacting details in Carpaccio’s complete cycle of paintings illustrating the Story of St. Ursula. Next you’ll visit the enchanting palace-museum of the American, Peggy Guggenheim, who spent her entire life collecting the best art of the first half of the 20th century.Afterwards we’ll browse the museum bookstore then linger over coffees in the museum cafe. The narrow streets surrounding these two museums hosts a large number of private art galleries, handmade paper shops and antique curio sellers which should not be missed. Our gala evening culminates with a Vivaldi concert performed in original costumes and on original instruments in the very cathedral where Vivaldi was choirmaster! As you listen to the glorious notes of Vivaldi’s music, you eyes can explore one of Tiepolo’s most ostentatious paintings, The Glory of Paradise, located in the cathedral ceiling. Day 9: SAT DEC. 27 In the morning we'll visit a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, the Palace Rezzonico with its many ceilings painted by Tiepolo. Much care has been exercise to preserve the original furnishings, tapestries, lacquer works, costumes, a puppet theater, and a pharmacy which bring back the precious atmosphere of 18th century Venice. You’ll marvel at the splendid,illusionist ballroom where Pope Clement XIII, sitting on a golden throne, entertained the nobility. Next you’ll stroll through narrow streets to the amazing Church of S Maria d. Miracola, newly restored to its former magnificence; then we move on to the Cathedral of San Giovanni & Paolo. Here you’ll view the Chapel of the Rosario with its odd and beautiful Egypto-Deco ceiling painted by Veronese. Next you’ll visit the rarely seen Church of the Down and Out, its facade is fascinating with grotesque masks, comical figures and anguished figures. Next we move down the Grand Canal to the Ca’ d’Oro (Palace of Gold) so named because the fantastic Gothic Flamboyant style facade of the palace was gilded in 24 carat gold. The just completed restoration reveals many of the original frescoes, art objects and furnishings that were used by the Bon family in the 15th century. This evening you'll conclude your Venetian adventure with a climatic, wildly extravagant masked farewell dinner. Day 10: SUN DEC. 28 Last minute pictures before our depart for the USA.
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