Welcome to the romantic city of Venice, the only one place in the world where water and sky mix together finding no boundary. It's a city of captains, seamen, adventures, set in the magic atmosphere in which the biggest painters, musicians and poets expressed their arts. We will follow a particular route showing us some aspects of Venice that very few people know and discover the power of the Venetian fleet.

ITINERARY:

• 8.30 a.m.: boarding on the motor-ship or at the landing-stage in Fusina (VE). Arrival in Venice and optional visit to the ARSENAL (free entrance to be allowed by Italian Navy), which was founded after the Venetian tradition in 1104 after the Doge’s will (no entrance fee: the guided tour is a service offered by the Navy on written request in advance enclosing the visitors’ list that must be accepted by the Admiral). Together with St. Mark's Basilica and Rialto the Arsenal was the centre of the military power of Venice. It covers a vast inland harbour sorrounded by high walls: here from ancient times on the ships of the Republic's fleet were constructed and repaired. Here all the various activities connected with navigation were carried out: so there were rope factories, workshops producing sail-cloth, sails and all sorts of other naval equipment and supplies. It was the heart of the military sea power of Venice, a very stately complex of assembly shops, warehouses, shipyards so specialized that during the 16° century the workers used the assembly line system. The Arsenal of Venice was a working shipyard till the second world war, when many air raid shelter were built inside the arsenal. Today the Arsenal belongs to the Italian Navy and a part is used for the worldwide famous Exhibition of Modern Art "La Biennale". . If the Italian Navy doesn’t allow the visit to the Arsenal Complex, we are going to have a pleasant walk around the perimeter of the arsenal and we are going to reach the imposing SAN PIETRO IN CASTELLO CATHEDRAL (ticket 3,00 € p.p.), planned by Andrea Palladio and first basilica of the city till the year 1807, when the title passed to St. Mark’s Church. The Church of San pietro in Castello signed the passage from the 16à century to the baroque age and preserves wonderful marble altars and splendid frescoes by Ricci. Visit to Naval Museum (ticket 2,00 € p.p.), housed in a building dating back to the 15thcentury, once granary for the Venetian Republic. A part of the complex is under the jurisdiction of the Italian Navy. The Naval Museum of Venice is the most important one in Italy and comprises five floors in which you can admire the deeds and the heroes of the venetian fleet and of the Italian Navy. You will visit the Room of the Bucintoro, that's to say the doge's ceremonial ship, and the Room of the Gondole, where you will see Peggy Guggenheim gondola. In the Hall of the Ships you will find some original venetian ships, military boats and a part of the engine-room belonging to Guglielmo Marconi's Elettra. After visiting the Naval Museum we we'll get on board and start navigating in the lagoon.
• 1.00 p.m.: our bord kitchen will serve you a typical venetian lunch based on fish with the following menù: aperitif: Bellini, hors-d'ouvre: shrimps and pickled anchovies, first course: Fusilli alla Marinara (pasta with seafood), main course: mixed fried fish, vegetables in season, wine and water, fruit, coffee, cover and service. After the lunch we will continue our navigation in the venetian lagoon. Arrival on Saint Andrea's Island and optional visit of the fortress S. Andrea or Castelnuovo. This fortress was planned by the military architect Michele Sanmicheli and dates back to the firts half of the 16th century. The island is located on a sandbank in front of the seaopening of Lido. The fortress was built in order to prevent the enemies' ships to enter the lagoon. It was planned considering technical and military aspects together with aesthetical elements since it was like a visitcard of the Republic of Venice towards its enemies. Boarding and navigation towards historical centre.
• 6.30 p.m.: Arrival in Fusina (Ve), disembarking and end of the services.

The price includes: navigation, lunch on board, our tour leader and entrance fee of the fortress Sant’Andrea.

The price doesn’t include: tickets and everything not mentioned in the programme.

N.B.: BUS LIMITED TRAFFIC ZONE (VENICE ZTL) – BUS FEES: please, see www.veniceztl.net

Entrance fees for San Pietro in Castello Cathedral must be paid on spot.