Welcome to a very unusual Venice, refuge for ancient people, who transformed the lagoon city into a cultural and religious landmark their identity. This excursion is an ideal hug between East and West in the magic atmosphere of the Venetian Lagoon.

ITINERARY:

• 8.30 a.m.: boarding on the motor-ship at the landing-stage in Fusina (Ve). Navigation along Vittorio Emanuele III Canal to the Giudecca Canal. Entering the Giudecca Canal you will admire some of the most beautiful churches of Venice, among them: The Redeemer's Church, The Church of the Spinters, San Giorgio Maggiore and the impressive Basilica of the Salute. Landing on Riva dei Gesuati and walk to PALAZZO ZENOBIO in Dorsoduro District. Visit to this monumental building built between the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18° century for the Venetian noble family Zenobio. From 1850 the palace is owned by the Armenian Mechitar’s Fathers of Venice and stand for one of the most important example of baroque art in the city. The principal room is the most renowned “Room of the Mirrors”, also called Tiepolo’s Room thanks to the beautiful frescoes and the very complex decoration created by the young G.B. Tiepolo. Palazzo Zenobio is a significant paragon of the Venetian life and art of the 18° century in a very particular religious and cultural context. A facultative visit to the SCUOLA GRANDE DI CARMINI (ticket € 4,00 p.p. – under 14 years old people € 2,00 p.p.). The building was built during the 17th century following a Baldassarre Longhena’s plan and preserves a Tiepolo’s wonderful pictorial cycle dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine together with beautiful paintings by A. Zanchi and G.B. Piazzetta,.
• Noon: lunch based on a fish menù on board or in restaurant.
• 2.00 p.m.:visit to the island SAINT LAZARUS OF THE ARMENIANS, which monastery was built at the end of the 17th century. We will have the possibility to visit this centre of the Armenian culture and to listen to the history of this persecuted population. In this beautiful oasis of peace we will admire an important paintings collection, an archeological museum with an Egyptian mummy dating back to the year 3000 B.C., two libraries and a collection of precious manuscripts. Lord Byron, the famous English poet, stayed here and rest on this peaceful island, where he learnt the Armenian language. Navigating back to Fusina we stop on MURANO, the island of the glass, for e free visit. We will have the extraordinary possibility to live this ancient art of glassmaking looking at one glass master while creating some objects in front of our eyes.
• 5.30 p.m.: Arrival in Fusina (Ve), disembarking and end of the services.

The price includes: navigation, lunch on board, our tour leader and the tickets for the guided tour to Palazzo Zenobio and the Saint Lazarus of the Armenians’ Monastery.

The price doesn’t include: tickets for the visit to Scuola Grande dei Carmini, everything not mentioned in the programme.

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

Entrance fees for the visit to Scuola Grande dei Carmini must be paid on spot.