Fast, strong and perfectly shaped, the gondola embodies all the water-borne magic of Venice. And the agile, singing gondolier has for centuries been a central part of the Venetian legend, transporting sober citizens about their business, or lovers to their secret assignations.
The Gondola is so intimately adapted to the nature of Venice that it is difficult to imagine the city without it. The origin of the craft is said to be Turkish, and certainly there is something about its grace and lofty pose that smacks of the Golden Horn, seraglios and odalisques and scented pashas. It is also clearly related to the boats of Malta. What the ‘gondola’ means nobody knows. In the modern world it has had only three applications: to the town carriage of the Venetians.
The gondola is built only in the boatyards of Venice, squeezed away in smoke and litter in the black canals of the city (some of them will also make you, if you pay them will, exquisite and exact miniatures of the craft). It is constructed of several different woods – oks, walnut, cherry, elm or pine-and is cut to a pernickety design, perfected at last through innumerable modifications. The first gondola was much less spirited craft, if we can go by the old woodcuts, its form governed by the clumsy practice of boarding it over the bows: the present model has been so exactly adapted to the needs of the city that there are said to be only two places, even at the lowest tide, where a gondola cannot pass – one near the Fenice Theatre, the other near the church of San Stae.
The gondola is immensely strong. An adventurous eccentric once sailed in one to Trieste, rowed by a crew of eight. You may see a gondola with its bows chopped clean off in a collision, still confidently afloat; you may see one, salvaged after months under water, restored to gleaming perfection in a few days; and if ever you have your gondola towed by a motor-boat, and race across the lagoon with its prow hoisted high and the salt foam racing by you, the violent but harmless slapping of the water on the boat’s belly will tell you how soundly it is built, like an old Victorian railway engine, or a grandfather clock.
The gondola can be fast. I once found it extremely difficult, in my outboard motor-boat, to keep up with a gondola practicing for a regatta beyond San Giorgio. Two gondoliers will effortlessly take a pair of passengers from Venice to Burano, a good six mile, in less than two hours.
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Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2 Rome.
The ˝Eternal City,“ Rome is a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in ST. PETER’S SQUARE, followed by a visit to the ROMAN FORUM and the mighty COLOSSEUM. In the evening, a chance to discover Rome by night on an optional excursion.
Day 3 Rome–Orvieto–Siena.
Journey northwest to the charmingly located city of Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone CATHEDRAL, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. By early evening you’ll be in Siena with time to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafés surrounding the Campo and admire one of Italy’s most unique squares, famed the world over for its Palio horse race. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 Siena–San Gimignano–Greve–Montecatini.
Drive this morning to San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers make it unique. Next, into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards; watch out for names such as Castellina in Chianti, Badia, Gaiole, and Brolio, where classical Chianti wines are produced. Stop in Greve for some WINE TASTING at the Vicchiomaggio wine estate. Arrive in Montecatini in time to join the outing for an optional Tuscan dinner.
Day 5 Montecatini–Excursion to Florence.
This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled the entire day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center, so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features most of the city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.”
Day 6 Montecatini–Pisa–Venice Area.
This morning, drive to Pisa for a visit to its SQUARE OF MIRACLES and the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 16 feet out of the perpendicular. Later, head across the wooded Apennine Hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley for two overnights in the Venice area.
Day 7 Venice Area.
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a BOAT RIDE and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Day 8 Venice Area–Assisi–Rome.
An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then crossing the Apennines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous BASILICA with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome.
Day 9 Rome.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
Price on request
Inside visits and special features:
Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable.
Sightseeing:
Visits to Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in Chianti with wine tasting, Pisa, Venice, Assisi
Scenic Highlights:
Chianti Valley
ROME Fleming (ST)
SIENA Mercure degli Ulivi (F)
MONTECATINI Settentrionale Esplanade (F)
VENICE AREA Poppi (ST) at Mira or Smart Hotel Holiday (ST) at Mestre
ROME Residenza Parco Tirreno (ST) or NH Villa Carpegna (F) or Pineta Palace (ST)
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Canal transfer boat in Venice
Meals
Buffet breakfasts; 3 dinners, including a dinner at a local restaurant in Siena
As suggested and to be customized as per request
Terms & Conditions Apllied
For assisted tour booking and customization according to your requirement, please call: +91 33 4046 4646
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