Venice, Italy

Discover this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace on a tour that allows you to design your own itinerary. You'll set the pace and choose the places you want to see with ample time to wander from one intriguing landmark to another. The excitement begins when you transfer by motor launch to St. Mark's Square or Piazza San Marco, as it's known locally. This excursion is completely unguided and does not include entry fees, although city maps will be provided for your convenience. Some of the sights you may wish to seek out include the magnificent 14th century Doge's Palace, the impressive St. Mark's Basilica, or witness the ancient craft of glass blowing at the Murano Glass Showroom. If the quintessential Venetian experience is what you're looking for, enjoy a gondola ride along some of Venice's inner canals.

This guided motor launch tour offers you spectacular panoramic views of this beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage Site with a scenic, ride through Venice's famed lagoon. You'll start by gliding along the broad Giudecca Canal, past St. George's Island, cross the southern part of the Lagoon to the islands of San Servolo, San Lazzaro, and see in the distance part of the Lido, the long strip of land that divides the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. Then continuing northward, you'll enter the canal separating the islands of Le Vignole and Sant'Erasmo and proceed to Murano Island, home of Venetian glass making. Cruising backwards towards Venice, you'll see the impressive Arsenale as well as the ancient San Pietro di Castello church before returning to your ship. You'll definitely want your camera ready as you'll get some magnificent views of St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal in the distance.

Board your motor launch and cruise across the Lagoon, enjoying views of the Arsenale and the island of San Pietro di Castello. Cruise past the island of San Michele, Venice's cemetery since 1807. Land on the island of Murano, the oldest glass-working center in the world. Glassware has been produced on the island since at least the 9th century. Tour one of the leading factories and watch the artisans at work. Following your tour, visit the factory showroom with its the fine displays of glass objects. Continue to Burano, where colorful dories line the bank. Today, the island is renowned for its fine lace. View the 16th century church of San Martino and visit a leading shop. Observe a demonstration of lace making, an art still practiced by some local women. After the demonstration, browse for lace before boarding your motor launch for the return to the ship.

Padua is a city rich in history and art. This walking tour takes you some its most influential sites before bringing you to your flight at Marco Polo Venice Airport. Departing from your ship, you'll board a motorcoach for a 45-minute ride through the Veneto countryside. Your two-hour walking tour includes the University of Padua, one of the earliest of the universities in the world. Bo Palace is the large group of structures built from 1542 to 1601 making up the school's main portion. Nearby is the Caffe Pedrocchi, the famous 18th century coffee house that was often used as a meeting place for scholars. You'll see the vast Palazzo dell Ragione, the seat of government in medieval times. You'll also visit the Basilica of St. Anthony or Il Santo. Built between 1232 and 1307, this is one of the great shrines of western Christianity.

Lace up your walking shoes and explore some of Venice's lesser-known, but celebrated sites. Departing from your ship, you'll board a water transport for short ride to Piazzale Roma where your guided walking tour begins. As you travel through the Venice streets, your knowledgeable guide escorts you, explaining the city's architecture and points of interest along the way. During the first part of your walk, you'll pass the Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Frari Church), cross one of the oldest squares in Venice, the Campo San Polo and visit the Rialto Bridge. Here, you'll pause for a bit point to watch the gondolas and get a full view of the Grand Canal. Then, continuing on, you'll see the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, and the Campo San Giovanni e Paolo where you'll have the option to tour the beautiful Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo before enjoying a typical venetian snack and returning to your ship.

Arrive in the city via motor launch and then walk to the Jewish Ghetto made famous by Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. In 1516, seven hundred Jews were forced to move to this part of Venice and its two access points were controlled at night and early morning by heavy gates. Within one century, the community grew to more than 5,000 people representing many languages and cultures. With the arrival of Napoléon in 1797, the Jews were allowed to leave the ghetto and full freedom came in the late 19th century. For a deeper look into Venice's ever-diminishing Jewish community, you will enjoy visits to three different synagogues; each one a gem. You will also have time to visit the little museum where religious objects and a varied collection of silver pieces are displayed before walking back to the launch pontoon for your return transfer to the ship.

See Venice's most popular landmarks on a four-hour panoramic specifically crafted for debarkation day. This tour is available to all guests flying out of Venice (Marco Polo airport) after 3.30 p.m. Once you disembark from the ship, leave your bags at the port luggage storage before boarding your 20-minute boat transfer to St. Mark's area along the Giudecca Canal. Upon arrival in the St. Mark's area, your transfer excort will provide a short oriention of city and advise you of the designated return time. Now it's time to explore the magical city of Venice on your own. Guide service, entrance fees and lunch are not included in the transfer price. It will be your responsibility to be at the drop-off point at the given return time. On your return to port, you will collect your luggage and make your way to the airport independently or by Princess transfer (please inquire on board).

Treasures abound around every corner of Venice and saving and restoring many of these artistic and architectural gems is the focus of Save Venice. For 40 years, the non-profit group has dedicated its resources to rescuing monuments, residential neighborhoods, churches, plazas and works of art around the city. Committed to its decade-long campaign to restore the Church of San Sebastiano, Save Venice recently renovated the church's front and side façades back to their former glory. During your tour, you'll witness the organization's most recent accomplishment-reviving the beautiful frescoes of Italian Renaissance artist, Paolo Veronese. After transferring to the Dorsoduro quarter by boat, you'll join your guide for a walk along the narrow paths and passageways to the 16th century Church of San Sebastiano. Step inside and marvel at the elaborately decorated painted wooden ceiling, richly gilded ceiling framework and decorative figures and motifs that have been unveiled.

Welcome St, Mark's Square, the center of Venice and Venetian Life. This walking tour takes you inside some of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's most celebrated buildings. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to reach your day's destination- the famed St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco. Your first stop will be the Doge's Palace, the seat of Venice's government and world influence dating back to before the 16th century. You'll visit the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. Even more stunning is St. Mark's Basilica, your next stop. A testament to Byzantium's influence on Venice, it's adorned with golden facade mosaics, marble and bronze statues, and five domes. Finally, you'll get to see a demonstration of the ancient craft of Venetian glass blowing and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is among the most important museums in Italy for European and American art of the first half of the 20th century. The collection holds major works of Cubism, Futurism, Metaphysical painting, European abstraction, avant-garde sculpture, Surrealism, and American Abstract Expressionism, by some of the world's greatest artists. After a short walk through the Dorsoduro you'll arrive at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which faces the Grand Canal. A museum guide will take you through the exhibits and explain the late heiress' exceptional collection, which boasts masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollack, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall and Salvador Dalí. After the guided visit, you will have some free time to stroll in the beautiful garden or browse the gift shops. Walk back to the motor launch for the transfer back to the ship

This tour around the lagoon highlights some of Venice's century-old traditions and artistry. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to your first stop, the Gondola landing stage area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise through some of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's inner canals, Crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years, the scenery speaks for itself. After your 30 minute cruise, your water transport will take you to Murano Island, the home of Venetian glasswork since 1291. You'll tour one of the exclusive factories, get to see the ancient craft and exquisite works for yourself, and shop for your own piece. Your last stop takes you to tiny St. George Island to see the stunning neoclassical San Giorgio Maggiore church boasting two of Tintoretto's greatest works: "The Last Supper" and "The Gathering of the Manna."

Welcome to the beautiful Island of Mazzorbo, home to a picturesque vineyard, entirely encircled by a medieval wall. Venissa Estate spans two hectares and was known during the Renaissance for the cultivation of Dorona grapes. Here in this rustic setting, you'll embark on a tour of the vineyard and learn about the history of the wine that was made here for centuries. Today, the Bisol family, who have produced prosecco in Valdobbiadene since the 16th century, are restoring this ancient, abandoned vineyard. In 2002, they were able to salvage 80 vines from the white-grape varietal, believed extinct. The roots were planted in 2006, and in 2010 the first vintage was released. Explore this magical setting and learn the vineyard's history and current cultivation techniques. Escorted back into a tasting room, you'll have the opportunity to sample an aperitif, served with a selection of "cicheti," Venetian tapas snacks. Return by motorboat back to the pier.

This guided tour lets you experience some of Venice's more celebrated highlights. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to the city center and reach the Gondola landing staging area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise. Venice and its lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll cruise along some of less traveled canals, crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years. After your 30 minute ride, you'll walk with your guide to the famed Piazza San Marco, and the Doge's Palace, where you'll tour the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. You'll get to see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby. Then, after a day full of memorable experiences, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride back to your ship.

This guided tour lets you experience some of Venice's more celebrated highlights. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to the city center and reach the Gondola landing staging area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise. Venice and its lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll cruise along some of less traveled canals, crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years. After your 30-minute ride, you'll walk with your guide to the famed Piazza San Marco, and the Doge's Palace, where you'll tour the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. You'll get to see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby. Then, after a day full of memorable experiences, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride back to your ship.

This guided tour lets you experience some of Venice's more celebrated highlights. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to the city center and reach the Gondola landing staging area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise. Venice and its lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll cruise along some of less traveled canals, crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years. After your 30-minute ride, you'll walk with your guide to the famed Piazza San Marco, and the Doge's Palace, where you'll tour the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. You'll get to see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby. Then, after a day full of memorable experiences, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride back to your ship.

This guided tour lets you experience some of Venice's more celebrated highlights. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to the city center and reach the Gondola landing staging area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise. Venice and its lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll cruise along some of less traveled canals, crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years. After your 30-minute ride, you'll walk with your guide to the famed Piazza San Marco, and the Doge's Palace, where you'll tour the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. You'll get to see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby. Then, after a day full of memorable experiences, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride back to your ship.

Welcome St, Mark's Square, the center of Venice and Venetian Life. This walking tour takes you inside some of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's most celebrated buildings. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to reach your day's destination- the famed St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco. Your first stop will be the Doge's Palace, the seat of Venice's government and world influence dating back to before the 16th century. You'll visit the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. Even more stunning is St. Mark's Basilica, your next stop. A testament to Byzantium's influence on Venice, it's adorned with golden facade mosaics, marble and bronze statues, and five domes. Finally, you'll get to see a demonstration of the ancient craft of Venetian glass blowing and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby.

This guided tour lets you experience some of Venice's more celebrated highlights. You'll depart your ship by water transfer to the city center and reach the Gondola landing staging area. Here, you'll have the opportunity of a lifetime - a gondola cruise. Venice and its lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll cruise along some of less traveled canals, crossed with stoned bridges and surrounded by buildings dating back hundreds of years. After your 30 minute ride, you'll walk with your guide to the famed Piazza San Marco, and the Doge's Palace, where you'll tour the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase, and Renaissance masterpieces. You'll get to see a Venetian glass blowing demonstration and shop for these sought-after pieces yourself as you tour the Murano Glass Showroom nearby. Then, after a day full of memorable experiences, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride back to your ship.

Have the experience of your dreams on this special evening gondola ride along some of the famous Venice Canals. You'll depart your ship via pontoon boat for a short ride to the famed St. Mark's Square. Once there, you may climb the steps of some of Venice's famous bridges and walk to the landing and be divided into groups of four before boarding your sleek black gondola for a 35 minute evening cruise along some of the city's less trafficked canals. Cruise past the Renaissance and Baroque buildings and palaces lining canal's banks before several gondolas gather together for brief serenade which you share with your own gondola-mates. You'll sail under the ancient stone bridges that cross the water while the light dwindles from the sky. It's an event of a lifetime, creating memories to be savored, again and again.

This guided tour gives you a glimpse of Venice's historic grandeur and influence., and part of what makes this city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll depart your ship by water transfer and head to St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco, and your first stop - the Doge's Palace. This was seat of Venice's government and world influence dating back to the 13th century. You'll visit the palace's stunning interior with its Golden Staircase and Renaissance masterpieces. Then it's on to the spectacular St. Mark's Basilica. A testament to Byzantium's influence on Venice, it's adorned with golden facade mosaics, marble and bronze statues, and five domes. You'll then re-board your water launch and, travel the famed Grand Canal with its gondolas and 13th to 18th century buildings to the visit of Ca' Rezzonico Palace, one of the grand historic Palazzos now a museum of 18th-Venetian life.

Both serious and armature photographers will delight in this half-day, comprehensive photo study of beautiful Venice. Join knowledgeable local photographer Francesca Bottazzin and embark on an adventure designed to guide you to the most cinematic locations. Begin with a private motor-launch to focus your lens on the cityscapes of Venice from the water. Your vessel easily maneuvers into the secret corners of the city for moody and magical images of areas not often seen by tourists. You'll stop at San Giorgio Maggiore, a little island nestled in the center of the Saint Mark basin. Disembark and take an elevator to the top of its famed church's bell tower for panoramic vistas of the heart of Venice, iconic Saint Mark's Square and the surrounding lagoon. Continue to sail and explore according to the weather and the light; your knowledgeable photographer will assist as you create a spectacular photo itinerary of your trip. With your camera full of exhibition-worthy material, return to the ship.