VENICE

Venice really needs no introduction. The watery city, home to gondoliers in stripy jerseys singing in front of the Bridge of Sighs, has been a fabled holiday destination for centuries. Anyone who has visited Venice, has marvelled at St Mark's Square and exploring the city's maze of canals.
For centuries Venice was a republic of immense power; controlling trade routes in the Adriatic, and waging successful wars with rival states. Ruled by a doge, who had his powers controlled by a cabinet, Venice was a proud and rich republic, known as la Serenissima, the most serene. Every year the Doge would take part in a symbolic ceremony, the Marriage of the Sea, to celebrate Venice's mastery over the ocean.
Like most great powers, however, Venice's glory was followed by a decline. La Serenissima lost her chattels in wars, and the city's trade routes declined in importance after the discovery of the New World. By the eighteenth century, Venice was already seeking profits from the tourist trade, leasing fine ‘palazzi' to foreign travellers.
Venice is composed of more than a hundred tiny islets, packed closely together around canals. The city is in a lagoon, protected by the longer island of Venice Lido. Venice is famously sinking. Every year high water levels (acqua alta) threaten the city's fabric, and it has long been feared that the beautiful city will one day disappear beneath the water. Many ideas (and funds) have been put forward to protect the endangered heritage site; current plans include a giant water-gate.

PROGRAM:

H 7.00 a.m. Departure from Zani Viaggi Travel Agency, in Foro Bonaparte 76

H 10.00 a.m. Arrive to Venice and tour by boat till San Marco Square

H 11.00 a.m. Guided walking tour of the city center with the main buildings and monuments

H 1.00 p.m Free time to have lunch and do individual visits

H 4.30 p.m. Transfer by boat to the bus parking and depurture for Milan

H 8.30 p.m. Arrive in Milan