Venice is so much more than a city. It is a phenomenon, uniquely emerging from the waters of a lagoon, a place of dreams and romance, of pleasure and indulgence. There is however more to Venice than the theatrical fantasy. Long before it became the playground of Europe, Venice was the hub of a mighty commercial Empire which made a unique contribution to European culture.

Completely immerse yourself in all the art, history and culture that Venice has to offer.

Venice’s origins were inspired by fear: as the Roman Empire was collapsing beneath the pressure of invading Germanic tribes, the Venetian Lagoon became a refuge from violence. That refuge became a settlement and, by the eighth century AD, it was a fully formed city state with an independent government run by an oligarchy of aristocratic families. Its relationship with the empire based in Constantinople led to Venice’s great tradition of maritime trade, a tradition which was to bring the city immense wealth and power.

Over the next six hundred years the prosperity of Venice increased until the fifteenth century when it had become one of the most populous and richest cities in Europe. This was the high point of Venetian wealth but as trade patterns changed so the republic of Venice gradually transformed itself from maritime trading empire to an Italian city state with territories extending across a wide swathe of north eastern Italy. It was now that Venice nurtured one of the greatest schools of painting in European history as well as in the other arts, notably music. It became the city of pleasure, carnival and Casanova, surviving as an independent state until its invasion by Napoleon in 1797. Venice became part of the kingdom of Italy in 1866.

It is a fascinating history and our expert historian and local guides will lead you around the sights of Venice. This includes both famous and lesser known marvels. As well as the achievements of the past, we will also experience Venice’s contemporary delights such as its cuisine and the famous tradition of glassblowing.