This morning we will stroll through Tim’s favorite backstreets in the city. Visit the lesser-known neighborhoods of San Polo and Santa Croce and pop into Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, one of the greatest churches in city tucked in to the center of San Polo; it has the honor of housing a number of great works of art from the Venetian Renaissance, including works by Titian.  The Architecture Biennale will be in full swing, and we will visit a few of the best installations.

This afternoon is at leisure to explore whatever strikes your fancy.  We recognize that this may be one guest’s first trip to Venice and another’s 10th.  Our goal is to make sure everyone gets to enjoy the best of Venice today, and we will talk to you individually about what you’d like to do this afternoon and make that happen!  Here are some of the activities that suggest you consider, but you may have some of your own!  If we have multiple guests interested in the same activities, we will create a small group so you can share the costs, such a private guide or water taxi excursion.

• Modern Art lovers alert! Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Museum with a world class collection housed in her stunning palazzo beside the Grand Canal.  

• First time in Venice?  Get timed entry into the Basilica San Marco, The Dodge’s Palace, and cross the Rialto Bridge or see it from a romantic gondola ride.

• Go island hopping via private water taxi and take the four hour “Blue-Green Lagoon Tour” visiting Murano (glass factory), Burano (colorful houses and gelato) and Torcello (1000 years old cathedral with impressive mosaic of the last Judgement)

• Explore a lesser-known side of Venice on a guided walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto and learn about the Jewish history of Venice.

• Take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary hourly water shuttle over to San Marco (a fun 15-minute ride) to get lost in the romantic streets, slide gently through the canals by gondola, or dine at a favorite haunt.

Whenever you are ready, return to our hotel on San Clemente Island to relax on the grounds, lounge by the hotel pool, or hit the spa.