VENICE, ITALY
Venice has long been a hub of cultural and artistic exploration, and this year the city will once again host the Venice Architecture Biennale, one of the world’s leading platforms for architectural innovation. Held every other year, this prestigious event alternates with the Art Biennale, so in odd-numbered years, the focus shifts to architecture. From 10 May to 23 Nov 2025, Venice will transform into a living laboratory, delving into critical themes of climate change, sustainability, and the evolving relationship between nature and technology.
The 2025 theme, Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective. will bring together more than 750 participants, from architects and engineers to philosophers, artists, and designers to present groundbreaking solutions for a more sustainable future.
Though not part of the Architecture Biennale, Lorenzo Quinn’s iconic Support sculpture, featured during the 2017 Venice Biennale, powerfully complements these themes. Rising from the Grand Canal, Quinn’s monumental hands cradling the historic Ca’ Sagredo Hotel served as a reminder of architecture’s role in preserving both our environment and cultural heritage.
If you’re planning a visit to Venice, be sure to experience the Biennale season, where you can immerse yourself in the creative work of the world’s most visionary minds.
WORDS BETH POPPY ERSKINE
You can visit Venice on MSC Cruise’s seven-night Mediterranean cruise, departing Venice (Marghera) on 14 September 2025. Other cruise lines that visit Venice include Princess, NCL, Cunard and Viking.
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AZORES, PORTUGAL
The Azores, Portugal’s largest and most remote archipelago, are a place of staggering beauty and mystery. Comprising nine volcanic islands adrift in the Atlantic between Europe and North America, their wild and wonderful landscapes have led to them often being called the “Hawaii of Europe”. From the sky, the islands’ rugged peaks, mist-shrouded volcanoes and sweeping hillsides unfold like a dreamscape. Yet the true magic is found on the ground, especially from May to September, when thick hedgerows of hydrangeas burst into bloom, draping the roadsides and fields in waves of blue, pink and purple
According to Azorean folklore, these islands are all that remains of Atlantis, the lost civilisation described by Plato. Writing in the fourth century BC, Plato spoke of a mighty world beyond the Pillars of Hercules, swallowed by the sea in a single night. Some believe the Azores are its last visible peaks.
On São Miguel, the largest island, lies Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake set in a vast volcanic crater. Legend says the lakes were formed from the tears of a princess with blue eyes and a shepherd with green eyes, torn apart by forbidden love. Even today, their story is said to linger in the mist over the water.
WORDS
BETH POPPY ERSKINE
You can visit the Azores on Celebrity Cruise’s Portugal & Bermuda Transatlantic cruise, departing 18 October 2025 from Southampton. Other cruise lines that visit Sete Cidades include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
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DESERT DREAMING
You’ll discover modern architecture, incredible culture, guaranteed sunshine and much more on Celestyal’s popular weekly Arabian cruise itinerary
WORDS SARA MACEFIELD
