VERONA AND THE AMPHITEATER
LENGTH: 3.5 hours
LENGTH: 6 hours
A walking tour of the “calli” will give you a chance to discover, not far from St Mark’s Square, Venice’s hidden masterpieces of architecture and painting. Meet the guides on Seven Martyrs Quay. You will visit the inside of the Byzantine-style Santa Maria Formosa church, then the Church of the Miracles, a little gem of the Venetian Renaissance, and finally the Santi Giovanni e Paolo church, whose interior contains the impressive series of funerary monuments of the Doges, the masterpieces of the heroes of the Republic and Renaissance sculptures. On the way back, you will be able to admire the Church of San Zaccaria (exterior), built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles and dedicated to St. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, whose relics are kept in it. Then you will pass by the Santa Maria della Pieta Church (exterior), which was founded in 1346 and which was an orphanage for girls, and which became renowned throughout Europe for its music in the 17th and 18th centuries. Return to the boat on foot. CRUISE REF. VEB, page 72.
The important geographical position of Verona has always facilitated its trading role, and has transformed the city into a meeting place and a melting pot of various ethnic groups. The Romans made Verona an off icial Roman town in 49 BC, and carried out grandiose building works designed to last millennia, such as the amphitheatre known the world over as the “Arena”, the Gavi Arch, the Borsari Gate. After the Roman and Christian periods, the Barbarians then the Franks took over. In the 12th century, Verona became a free commune and Herb Square, formerly the Roman forum, became a place for trading and business. But the most important period came under the Scaligeri Lords, who gave the city even greater prestige, with it becoming the capital of a great State under Cangrande. The Lords’ Square has become an extension of the Prince’s Square used for ceremonies and parades. With the Communal Palace was built the Captain’s Palace and the Cangrande Palace next to the Gothic Scaligeri Arch. In 1405, at the end of the period of Scaligeri power, Verona became part of the
Venetian Republic and later, in the 18th century was occupied by Napoleon’s troops. Transfer by coach from Polesella to Verona. The excursion begins with a panoramic tour of the city: you will enter the city via the Pali Gate. You will see the Castelvecchio, a medieval castle dating from the 14th century, the Gavi Arch, the Borsari Gate dating from the Roman era and the Roman theatre. From the New Bridge, you will begin the walking tour with your guide and you will have the opportunity to admire Juliet’s house (exterior), which, legend has it, inspired Shakespeare for his immortal tragedy Romeo and Juliet. You will then walk along Mazzini street to the Amphitheatre for a short visit of the inside. If the amphitheater is closed, we’ll visit the magnificent Giusti Gardens. Free time. Return to the boat at Polesella by coach. CRUISES REF. VEB/VSI, pages 72 and 73.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
VENICE, THE CASTELLO QUARTER
“ DISCOVERY ” EXCURSIONS
FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF CASANOVA IN VENICE
LENGTH: 3 hours
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born in Venice in 1725. Both his parents were actors, and he was the first of six children in the family. He entered the University of Padua at age twelve and graduated five years later with a degree in law. Over his lifetime, he was a lawyer, soldier, violinist, courtier, economist, philosopher, writer, and of course, a lover who got into sexual escapades resembling operatic plots. While visiting Doge’s Palace, our guide will evoke his intricate life, including his imprisonment in the palace in solitary confinement for “grave faults committed in public outrages against the holy religion.” He later escaped with the help of a renegade priest. Casanova’s reputation remains until this day, and our guide will recount the most outrageous moments of this “adventurer’s” life. Our guide will then take us on a walk through the city streets, passing by the Casino Venier and Casanova’s house, finishing up at the Rialto Bridge. After our tour, you can return to the ship at your own pace. CRUISES REF. VEB/VSI/VEN, pages 72 and 73. VERONA
HIKING ON THE WINE ROUTE THROUGH THE EUGANEAN HILLS AND THE VILLAGE OF ARQUA PETRARCA
LENGTH: 3 hours
The Euganean Hills are volcanic-origin hills that rise to height of 1,968 feet from the Padovan-Venetian plain a few miles south of Padua. Hot water springs helped create the multitude of spa towns that have existed here since Roman times, as the ancient ruins attest. The region is also known for its vineyards. You’ll leave by coach for the Euganean Hills and the starting point of your hike. With your guide, you’ll first hike to Mount Calbarina (446 feet in altitude) to take in the magnificent view of the Lago della Costa. Your hike will continue through the forest to Mount Piccolo (1 037 feet in altitude). The path continues to one of the most beautiful and picturesque medieval villages in the area: Arquà Petrarca. You’ll see the façade of Renaissance poet Francesco Petrarca’s home. His tomb can be found in the piazza in front of the town church. An approximate 6 hours tour, with 2.5 hours hiking, 4.5 miles, and an altitude difference of 918 feet. CRUISES REF. VEB/VSI/VEN, pages 72 and 73.
You’ll leave on foot from The Zattere or San Basilio Pier. The Dorsoduro District houses some of the most picturesque canals and palazzi and some of the city’s great art showcases without the tourist traps that you might expect. The area includes the highest land areas of the city. Our walk will take you along The Zattere to the Spirito Santo and the customs house. The view is absolutely spectacular from this point in Venice, because you can scan the entire Saint Mark’s Basin, San Giorgio Maggiore, and the Grand Canal. We’ll continue on to admire the exterior of the Santa Maria della Salute church, built during a plague epidemic in the 17th century. The church’s dome was an important addition to the Venice skyline and soon became emblematic of the city, inspiring many artists. Our next stop will be the Gallerie dell’Accademia. The district’s hub is Campo Santa Margherita where you’ll find a market, antique stalls, a supermarket and cafes. In the evening, this hub becomes Venice’s liveliest nightspot. After our visit, we’ll return to the ship. (REF. VEB: if the ship
LENGTH: 6 hours
VENICE AND THE DORSODURO DISTRICT
75
is moored neither at San Basilio Pier nor at The Zattere, you’ll be asked to pay an extra R/T fee for the vaporetto. To be paid on board.) CRUISE REF. VEB, page 72.
VERONA BY BIKE AND THE GIUSTI GARDENS
LENGTH: 6 hours
We’ll leave by coach from Polesella for Verona. Discover Verona’s main attractions and lesser-known sites as you pedal down medieval streets, along ancient city walls and through picturesque squares and courtyards. Often overshadowed by neighboring Venice, Verona possesses an impressive artistic heritage and many cultural diversions. Throughout the tour, learn more about Verona’s stories from a local guide. And you’ll discover the Giusti Gardens, one of the city’s marvels. This magnificent Italian garden was designed in the 16th century and contains age-old trees, gargoyles, fountains, and grottoes. The garden is dominated by a captivating ancient cypress-tree road which even impressed the poet Goethe. At the end of our visit, we’ll return on board in Polesella. CRUISES REF. VEB/VSI, pages 72 and 73.