The Pearls of the Po & the Venetian Lagoon
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unfinished 14th-century Basilica of San Petronio. Saint Mark’s Basilica, an 11th-century showstopper filled with The Pearls of the Po glittering gold mosaics and beautiful marble floors and statues & the Venetian Lagoon From Venice to Polesella Aboard La Venezia September 18–26, 2021 CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS SAIL from Venice to historic towns along the Po River and Venetian Lagoon on the lavish, newly renovated La Venezia. Dock overnight in the heart of stunning Venice for early access to the city at sunrise, when its sparkling piazze and palazzi are most captivating ENJOY extraordinary exclusive tours of famed Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio’s UNESCO-listed Villa Capra (La unfinished 14th-century Basilica of San Petronio. Rotonda) and the opulent Villa Valmarana ai Nani, featuring frescoes by Tiepolo, in underexplored Vicenza REVEL in guided, behind-the-scenes visits to Villa Foscari, adorned with splendid frescoes by Battista Franco, and Villa Widman, with its frescos by Giuseppe Angeli—two grand villas along the Brenta Canal, opened exclusively for us ACCOMPANY an art historian to marvel at golden Byzantine mosaics in Torcello’s 11th-century basilica on an exclusive tour, and admire stunning 5th- and 6th-century mosaics in Ravenna EXPLORE the medieval and Renaissance city of Ferrara, innovatively designed as an “ideal city” by urban planner Biagio Rossetti DELIGHT in an exclusive, after-hours visit to Venice’s iconic Saint Mark’s Basilica, an 11th-century showstopper filled with glittering gold mosaics and beautiful marble floors and statues of 20th-century art at her eponymous museum Dear National Trust Traveler, This September, aboard the luxurious, newly renovated river vessel La Venezia, join the National Trust to cruise along the legendary Po River and the Venetian Lagoon, savoring la bella vita in northern Italy. Padua and Ravenna are towns that have inspired the likes of Shakespeare, yet their numerous historic treasures remain underexplored. On this spectacular river voyage, enjoy full access to the region’s abundance of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. This exquisite journey will begin with a walking tour through Venice’s picturesque Dorsoduro neighborhood, which offers a lovely snapshot of the city’s local color. Then discover one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, UNESCO-listed Vicenza, where you will delight in private access to some of Andrea Palladio’s 16th-century villas. Back in Venice, experience an exclusive, after-hours visit at the awe-inspiring Saint Mark’s Basilica. In Padua, stop to see frescoes by Giotto, bronzes by Donatello, and breathtaking architecture and scenery. Next, call at Ferrara, the seat of the great Este court. Designed in the 16th century by Biagio Rossetti, it has earned a UNESCO designation. Visit Ferrara’s Jewish quarter, a haven for Jewish exiles throughout Europe for centuries, and its newly opened Jewish Museum. Alternatively, venture to Bologna, cultural capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, where you will take a special tour of the unfinished 14th-century Basilica of San Petronio. The greatest assemblage of early Christian mosaics awaits in Ravenna, the 6th-century seat of the Byzantine governor of Italy. Sail around the lovely Venetian Lagoon, stopping in Torcello’s basilica to gaze upon its splendid Byzantine mosaics with an art historian. Conclude with a return to Venice, where you will enjoy three curator-led, behind-the-scenes tours, including an exclusive inside look at the city’s famous opera house, La Fenice. Extraordinary cuisine and luxurious accommodations make this trip a true delight for all the senses, and I hope you will join the National Trust on this new offering. An optional postlude to Asolo and the Palladian Villas is also available. Sincerely, At the time of publication, the world is beginning to reopen, with enhanced travel practices and guidelines. Please visit www.nationaltrusttours.com Meg Annacone-Poretz Saint Mark’s Basilica, an 11th-century showstopper filled with and search for “Pearls” for real-time Director, National Trust Tours glittering gold mosaics and beautiful marble floors and statues information on how we’re working to keep you safe and healthy. The Pearls of the Po & the Venetian Lagoon From Venice to Polesella Aboard La Venezia September 18–26, 2021 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18: DEPARTURE Depart for Venice on an overnight flight. LA VENEZIA SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19: VENICE, ITALY / EMBARK The 130-passenger Arrive at Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport, where you will be transferred to La Venezia. This afternoon, take an optional walking tour through the Dorsoduro neighborhood, known for its local flavor and picturesque squares and canals. Alternatively, explore the city at your leisure. Unpack, relax, and enjoy your first evening aboard ship.D MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20: VENICE / VICENZA / VENICE Visit one of Italy’s hidden gems—Vicenza—famous for Andrea Palladio’s UNESCO-listed villas in the countryside and the Teatro Olimpico, the Renaissance theater designed by the great architect. A tour of Palazzo Valmarana Braga, a masterpiece of the mature Palladio, precedes lunch. Then stroll through the historic city center to see the basilica that Palladio adapted to serve as the town hall; the palaces he built for the Vicenza aristocracy; and the Church of Santa Corona, with its masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini and Veronese. Before returning to Venice, take in private visits to two other Palladian villas—Villa Foscari (La Rotonda) and the nearby Villa Valmarana ai Nani, featuring frescoes by Tiepolo. Return to Venice and experience an exclusive, after-hours visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica, with its spellbinding, glittering mosaics. B,L,D TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: VENICE / PADUA / PORTO VIRO Travel to Padua for a guided stroll through the Old Town, including visits to the Scrovegni Chapel, famous for its rich and elaborate frescoes by Giotto, and the Basilica of Saint Anthony, with its bronzes by Donatello. Later, take private guided visits to Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta) and Villa Widmann, two of the grand villas along the bucolic tiny islands and picturesque fishing villages. On peaceful Torcello, admire Byzantine mosaics Brenta Canal, opened exclusively for us. Dock in the picturesque fishing village of Porto Viro. Enjoy a festive captain’s welcome reception and dinner this evening. B,L,R,D WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: POLESELLA / FERRARA OR BOLOGNA Disembark for a morning excursion to Ferrara, once a center for the arts ruled by the Este family. Meticulously designed by urban planner Biagio Rossetti, Ferrara was the first fully executed concept of an ideal city during the Renaissance. Explore the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-designated city center. See its grand palaces including the Palazzo dei Diamanti, whose façade is studded with marble blocks carved to resemble diamonds. Stroll n through the ancient Jewish quarter, whose community has lived here continuously since n the Middle Ages, and visit the newly opened Jewish Museum. Admire the 12th-century n n Disembark in Venice this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home. n n n Ferrara Villa Valmarana ai Nani, Vicenza, photo by istela1 Vicenza Padua Venetian ITALY Venice Lagoon Polesella Porto Viro Ferrara Po River Adriatic Bologna Sea Ravenna Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, Torcello, photo by molamoni cathedral, which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles in its three-tiered pink and white Depart for Venice on an overnight flight. marble façade. Return to the ship with lunch on board. You may opt to visit Bologna, the cultural center of the Emilia-Romagna region, and one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Marvel at the works of Reni, Giotto, and Parmigianino at the The 130-passenger National Gallery, and see the Basilica of San Petronio, a Baroque confection dating to the 14th century. A short walk will take us to the Palazzo Comunale, an impressive Renaissance neighborhood, known for its local flavor and picturesque squares and canals. Alternatively, building that is now the City Hall. After lunch featuring local specialties, participate in a explore the city at your leisure. Unpack, relax, and enjoy your first evening aboard ship. pasta-making class, or spend the afternoon visiting the Church of San Petronio and San Giacomo Maggiore, with the important Costa frescoes in the Cappella Bentivoglio. B,L,D THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: PORTO VIRO / RAVENNA / BURANO Get an in-depth look at the UNESCO-listed Byzantine and early Christian mosaics in Ravenna, capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 to 476 A.D. Visit Sant’Apollinare in Classe, with its glorious 6th-century apse covered in brilliant mosaics. Then see the mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Theodoric the Great’s churches—San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare Nuovo—with their extraordinary mosaics. Rejoin the ship in Burano and later this evening opt to explore Burano with an evening walking tour. Dine al fresco as La Venezia is docked in Burano. B,L,D FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: VENETIAN LAGOON / VENICE Continue your exploration of Burano’s brightly colored houses in the morning, and visit a historic lace-making atelier. Cross to the neighboring island of Mazzorbo, and wander through an estate devoted to making wine with indigenous Dorona grapes. After a tour of the vineyard, gather for a wine tasting. Sail the historic Venetian Lagoon, with its numerous tiny islands and picturesque fishing villages. On peaceful Torcello, admire Byzantine mosaics inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta with an art historian. Be on deck tonight as we sail Brenta Canal, opened exclusively for us. Dock in the picturesque fishing village of Porto into illuminated Venice. B,L,D SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: VENICE Docked in Venice, take a tour led by an art expert to the Accademia, Venice’s grand museum housing masterworks by Tiepolo, Veronese, and Bellini. Explore Venice’s famous family. Meticulously designed by urban planner Biagio Rossetti, Ferrara was the first fully opera house, La Fenice, on a behind-the-scenes tour.