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Venice Tours, Vacation Packages & Travel Experiences

  • The famous Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge is a must photograph spot while on your Italy vacation.
  • A couple enjoying Venice
  • Golden venetian carnival mask
  • Gondolier near Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal
  • Gondolas with San Giorgio di Maggiore church in the background
  • Grand canal and basilica Santa Maria della Salute

Venice is one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities with many attractions. Its small, traffic-free streets mingled with the winding canals make for great walking. You will find many magnificent churches and palaces, lively squares, and interesting shops all to be enjoyed on an Italy vacation. 

Venice and the Grand Canal

Venice actually consists of 118 small islands connected by more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. The Grand Canal is like a main street cutting through the centre of the city. The city in its entirety is listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its Lagoon. 

Venice is divided into 6 regions plus Venice Lido. Some of the most important sites on an Italy vacation package include the following but these are just a smattering of wonderful places to visit. Piazza San Marco, known in English as St Mark's Square, is the principal public square of Venice. The Piazza is dominated at its eastern end by the great church of St Mark. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Italian-Byzantine architecture. It lies adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. It is noted for its opulent design, gold ground mosaics and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power. St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice and is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. The ornate but beautiful Doge's Palace is a palace built in the Venetian Gothic style and one of the main landmarks of the city. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice and is now a museum. 

In another part of Venice is the district of Santa Croce which can be divided into two areas: the eastern area being largely mediaeval and the western, including the main port, mostly lying on land reclaimed in the 10th century. The attractions here are the churches, the Patrician Palace and the Museum of the History of Fabric and Costume. 

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo. The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed bridge made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. 

A common sight in Venice on a trip to Italy is its water transportation system. This can be via the vaporetto (water taxis or the more romantic gondola.  The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat well suited to the conditions of the Venetian canals. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role as public transportation within the city.

Venice Lido is an 11 kilometre/7 mile long sandbar in Venice and home to about 20,000 residents. The Venice Film Festival takes place at the Lido every September. At least half the Adriatic side of the island is a sandy beach, much of it belonging to the various hotels that house summer visitors. This includes the renowned Des Bains, setting for Thomas Mann's classic novel Death in Venice. 

Visit Murano and Burano from Venice

On Italy vacations, not far from Venice are three interesting locations. Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges to the Venetian Lagoon.  It lies about 1.5 kilometres/1 mile north of Venice It is famous for its glass making, particularly lampworking. Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon. It is situated at the northern end of the Lagoon and is known for its lacework and brightly coloured homes. Torcello is a quiet and sparsely populated island at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon. It is the oldest continuously populated region of Venice. Its main attraction is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639 with 11th and 12th century Byzantine work including mosaics.

 

Italy Vacation Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Italy vacations. 

Learn about the history and culture of Italy, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Italy's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Italy for yourself. Start exploring...book your Italy vacation today!

 

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Italy vacation at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from  a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Italy.

 

 

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Venice, Italy

  • Classic Italian Highlights: Rome, Florence and Venice

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the beauty and charm of three of Italy's iconic cities - Rome, Florence and Venice. Visit historic Rome with its ancient ruins and Vatican City, enjoy wine tasting and the magnificent art and architecture of Florence. As a grand finale, spend time in Venice, city of canals.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,358
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • *NEW* Dalmatian Sunshine: Venice to Dubrovnik

    FIRST-CLASS | ESCORTED TOUR: Spend 12 days exploring the Dalmatian Coast visiting Italy, Slovenia and Croatia! Enjoy comfortable transportation, first-class hotels and excursions to iconic sites such as St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Postojna Caves and Lake Bled in Slovenia, Plitvice Lakes National Park and Diocletian's Palace in Croatia and more.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,490
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Escorted Coach Touring, Multi Country Vacation Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Classic Northern Italy: Milan, Venice, Florence

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the artistic masterworks of Italy’s north on this trip to Milan, Venice, and Florence. Stay in first-class accommodations as you venture through the cities to gaze upon world-famous paintings, admire Renaissance architecture, and enjoy the charming Italian culture.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,186
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Italian Indulgence: Rome to Venice

    FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP: Discover the beauty and charms of Italy starting Rome. Head north to the heart of Tuscany, explore stunning seaside villages and Northern Italy - Piedmont, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Trento. Say hello to sweet Verona before ending your journey in Venice for the grand finale.
    Duration:
    14 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 4,939
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Escorted Coach Touring, Small Group Touring
    Italy See Trip Details

  • London to Venice Signature with Belmond Simplon Orient Express

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Escape to London and Venice for a luxury stay in some of the world’s most famous cities, connecting between the two cities aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon Orient Express. Stay in deluxe hotels and enjoy private walking tours that showcase historical landmarks like Buckingham Palace and St. Mark’s Square.
    Duration:
    7 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 6,670
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Private Experiences, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    England See Trip Details

  • Italy for Families: Rome, Florence and Venice

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Enjoy an Italian vacation for the whole family. Explore Rome, Florence, and Venice at your own pace with private tours and learn to master Italian classics in intimate cooking classes. Top it all off with a gondola ride on the canals of Venice and a visit to see Michelangelo’s “David.” All the essentials for a family fun trip!
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,178
    Trip Type:
    Family Vacations, Private Experiences, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Art Cities of Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome

    MODERATE | TAILOR-MADE: Explore the Italian classics with this tour to three of the nation’s most popular art cities. Journey to Venice, Florence, and Rome to gaze upon artistic masterpieces, explore the treasures of the Vatican, and delight in the romantic atmosphere.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,484
    Trip Type:
    Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Classic Exploring Italy: Venice, Florence & Sorrento to Rome

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: This Italy tour takes you to the country’s most romantic cities. Cruise the canals in Venice, step back into the Renaissance in Florence, and marvel at Rome’s ancient splendour, all in between magnificent meals and charming local discoveries.
    Duration:
    14 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,937
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Classic Italy & Cruising the Greek Isles with NCL

    FIRST-CLASS | CRUISE: Explore historical treasures and windswept islands on this journey across Italy and Greece. Starting in Italy, you’ll explore the masterworks of Rome, Florence, and Venice before cruising the Greek islands and visiting the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.
    Duration:
    15 Days
    Prices:
    On request
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Greece See Trip Details

  • Highlights of Venice

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Indulge in Venetian culture as you stay in first-class accommodations and enjoy exclusive tours through Venice. Learn about the magical city on the water on a private walking tour and traditional gondola ride. Then leave the city and explore Verona and Amarone to see the city that inspired Shakespeare and enjoy a wine tasting!
    Duration:
    4 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,268
    Trip Type:
    Romance & Honeymoon, Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details

  • Luna Hotel Baglioni Venice: Stay of Distinction

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Combine an extraordinary stay at a magnificent former Venetian palace with private sightseeing including a walking tour of Venice, a gondola ride, a private boat tour to Murano and Burano plus a full day to the beautiful city of Verona and the surrounding countryside.
    Duration:
    5 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,175
    Trip Type:
    Stays of Distinction, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Italy See Trip Details
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