5-Night Venetian Lagoon — Venice to Trieste
Route Overview
The Route
Day 1 — Venice: Embarkation
Board at Venice Certosa Marina and immediately take the tender into the heart of the city. An afternoon in Venice — St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Grand Canal by vaporetto. Dinner at Antiche Carampane in the San Polo district, one of the finest traditional restaurants in Venice.
Day 2 — Murano, Burano & Torcello
A full morning exploring the famous Lagoon islands by yacht — Murano's glassblowing workshops, Burano's extraordinary colourful houses and the eerie, beautiful mosaic church of Torcello (Santa Maria Assunta, 7th century AD, the oldest in the Lagoon). Lunch aboard with the Lagoon as backdrop, then afternoon at anchor in a quiet channel.
Day 3 — Chioggia
Sail south through the Lagoon to Chioggia — the 'Little Venice' at the southern entrance to the Venetian Lagoon, with its own system of canals, bridges and fish market. Far fewer tourists than Venice proper; the market on Riva Vena canal is one of the finest in northern Italy. Overnight in the historic basin.
Day 4 — Grado & Aquileia
Continue east along the Friulian coast to Grado — a small island-town of Roman origin with a beautiful early Christian Basilica. A car trip to Aquileia — the UNESCO-listed Roman city with the most extensive floor mosaics in the Western Roman Empire (4th century AD). Return to Grado for dinner.
Day 5 — Trieste
Arrive in Trieste — one of Italy's most atmospheric cities, at the crossroads of Italian, Austrian and Slovenian cultures. The Piazza Unità d'Italia (the largest sea-fronting square in Europe), the extraordinary Miramare Castle above the bay (residence of Archduke Maximilian before his ill-fated Mexican adventure), and Trieste's legendary coffee culture. A perfect conclusion to the itinerary.
Day 6 — Disembarkation
Farewell breakfast before disembarkation in Trieste. Trieste Airport connects to Rome; Venice Marco Polo Airport is 2 hours west along the A4 motorway.