Private Island & Villa Getaway in Italy
Near Venice
From small-group & private tours to cooking classes, private transfers, the best hotels, and accommodations – we curate the most incredible authentic experiences through Europe for the entire family.
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Day 1
Arrive in Venice
Arrive in Venice and collect your bags. As you exit customs you will be met by a representative that will help you with your luggage and escort you to your private villa on your own private island 30 min outside of Venice.
Venice - The City
Historical evidences suggest that refugees founded Venice. When Germanic tribes ravaged northern Italy in the 5th century, many mainlanders escaped to this difficult-to-access area on the Adriatic Sea.
Over the centuries the refugee community grew into the most powerful trading port in the Mediterranean. At its peak, Venice counted 3.000 trade ships and 300 navy vessels. After Napoleon's fall, it became part of the Austrian Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, but after the uprising in 1848, the city reached its independence once again. Shortly after, in 1866, Venice was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. 1932 saw the opening of the motor and rail bridge between Venice and the mainland, which led this city to come out on top as a tourist destination.
It is hard to navigate around the city, but don’t let that put you off, as this is part of Venice’s charm. Leave the other tourists at St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge and explore the maze-like little neighbourhoods instead. The most interesting areas and islands are Cannaregio, SanPolo/Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.
Check in at your villa
For some a good book will do, for others yoga or meditation sets the mood.
Imagine days by the pool, nights of laughter, with not a stranger in sight. With no other guest on the island - not a single soul as far as the eye can see - there’s nothing to disturb your path to inner peace. All you have to do is bring family and friends.
Unseen, unheard, undisturbed... this ‘not so remote with a boat’ island is only as distant as you want it to be. Hidden away in the Venetian Lagoon between the city of Venice and the Adriatic Sea, its sleek skippered boat is at your disposal to whisk you away to the glories of Venice, or carry you with ease to wherever you please.
The large and historic Italian villa, recently renovated to achieve a refined and luxurious simplicity, is set within gardens and grounds beautifully established over centuries.
A world away from everyday life, a place where peacocks wander the lawn, fish thrive in its waters, and pheasants roam the apricot orchard and organic vineyard, this island retreat offers nature, tranquility and privacy to relax and revitalize mind, body and soul.
While Venice and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello are but a short boat ride away, it’s tempting to stay amidst the beauty and peace to bask in the sunshine and unwind by the pool.
A sophisticated sanctuary for up to 16 guests, the air-conditioned blush pink villa is connected to the outside world by Wi-Fi, should you wish to keep in touch, while its impressive accommodation is stylishly designed and elegantly appointed to make you feel right at home.
One enters the villa via a spacious furnished terrace, which has a large open fireplace and is ideal for entertaining on balmy summer nights, into a gorgeous light-filled sitting room with access to an art-deco style library. The original Venetian kitchen is fully equipped with stateof-the-art appliances and lies just opposite the grand dining hall seating 16 guests.
There are 9 tasteful bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom - 2 masters, 5 doubles and 2 singles - and, crowning this truly one-of-a-kind property, a spectacular traditional ‘altana’ rooftop terrace offering a sub- lime and unforgettable panorama of the surrounding Venetian Lagoon.
Sleeps: 16 · Bathrooms: 9 · Bedrooms: 9 · Single beds: 2 · Double beds: 2 · Double beds evenly divisible: 5 Minimum stay: 3 nights Standard services included: the daily maid and roundtrip with the private boat.
Day 2
Ideas of things to do in Venice at your leisure
Choose any of the following activities to make your Venice vacation one to remember!
Option 1
Absolute Venice: Walking Tour, The Doge's Palaces & Golden Basilica
Combine three exciting tours of Venice for a fun and comprehensive experience of the Serenissima Repubblica, the best way of learning all there is to learn about this most beautiful of European cities.
On the first tour, you will be taken on a delightful stroll to all of the city’s most important landmarks. After beginning at the magnificent Piazza San Marco, where you see the Basilica, the Bell and Clock Tower and more, head off towards Santa Maria Formosa, another magnificent square. Along the way you will discover very interesting buildings such as Marco Polo’s home and even the Pantheon of Venice. Finish with a walk through the Mercerie.
The second tour is that of the Doge’s Palace, where you will explore the magnificence and opulence that decorate the ample interior of the Palazzo Ducale. Admire the wealthy ornaments and decor, cross the famous Bridge of Sighs like prisoners in ages past and even delve into the Venetian prisons. Feel transported to the privileged side of the Mediaeval Ages.
The final tour of this triple decker is The Golden Basilica, by far the most majestic cathedral in Venice. Roam around the interior of this masterpiece of byzantine art and gorge your eyes on the splendid gold mosaics and marble inlays. After learning all about the biblical scenes represented in the cathedral, this tours offers an optional private boat trip to Murano to visit the glass factory that blows life into Venice’s famous glass.
Option 2
Enjoy a romantic gondola serenade in Venice
Lose track of your senses and give up to the beauty of Venice on this romantic promenade by gondola. One cannot simply visit the Queen of the Adriatic and not enjoy a ride on the long black gondolas that glide through the city’s many labyrinthine canals; and what better way to do it than with live music on board, so as to further enhance the overall artistic essence of this wonderful city.
So book a Gondola Serenade tour and take pleasure in this delightful soothing journey along the quiet canals. This is by far the best way to soak up the atmosphere of the city. With the elegant ride, the music and the magnificent architecture, some might be tempted to lie prone, enraptured with Stendhal’s Syndrome due to the overwhelming beauty of it all.
As you softly glide along the dark waters of the canals, you will soon come to realize why Venice was destined to become a large seaside power during the Mediaeval Ages, paving the way for the splendorous Renaissance age that then bloomed throughout the many Italian cities during the fourteenth and fifteenth century. The legacy of these wonderful times for science and art is made obvious on the facades of the many incredible buildings you’ll glide by.
Come along for the ultimate romantic tour of Venice.
The moment you step onto the gondola, you will feel like you are stepping onto a dream; a dream that will recur in your thoughts for a very long time afterwards.
Option 3
Decorate your own Venice carnival mask
Your instructor will be our experienced decorator, who will teach you how to paint and decorate your own mask. The participants will choose a mask to be decorated during the course and at the end of the course, they will keep their mask as a very special souvenir to bring back home.
Option 4
Special Evening in Venice: Venetian Savors + Legends and Ghosts of Venice
The tour foresee an expert tour guide accompanying you through the Venetian “calli” (streets) to discover the local Venetian “Bacari” (bars) and sample “Cicchetti” (snacks) which are specialties of Venetian cuisine. Thanks to this fascinating itinerary you will admire a Venice enchanted by the lights and its unforgettable colors and you will have the unique chance to taste the real Venetian cuisine.
After the last stop in an elegant Venetian house (typical bar) the evening walk will let you discover unusual itineraries accompanied by tales of the rich tradition of legends and anecdotes of a very secret Venice. You will experience the magical moment when the unique Venetian twilight turns to darkness. The itinerary of the tour is variable in order to avoid the crowd of tourists and to fully appreciate the mysterious and quiet atmosphere of Rialto area, Cannaregio and Castello.
Option 5
Tour Murano Glassblowing & Burano Lace - Making
Escape the crowds and chaos of Venice and catch a glimpse of what the city used to be – an island of artisans world-famous for their craft, where traditional skills have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries.
Join us on a half-day trip to these timeless islands, so close yet worlds away from crowded Piazza San Marco.
After meeting in a central Venice location we’ll start our tour with a short and comfortable boat ride to Murano. There’s a lot to see on the way, and your guide will keep you entertained with a description of the sights as you pass them. It’s no time at all until we’re off the boat again, taking our first steps on beautiful Murano, a small island world-famous for its glass.
Once upon a time Murano glassblowers were the only people in Europe who knew how to create a mirror and their skills were so valued that they were banned from leaving the city of Venice under threat of execution. Many things have changed since then, but the craft has stayed the same, as you’ll understand after our first stop – a glassblower’s workshop.
Watch a craftsman in action as he goes about his daily business and listen to a description of the process in English while he works – what gives the glass its color? How does silica sand become glass? Which is the most difficult part of his job? This is a real, workaday studio and our experience here will be as authentic as it comes.
Afterwards you will have time to browse the huge collection of glass art here and wander the island on your own.
Then it’s back on the boat and off to our next stop, Burano.
The tiny island of Burano is famous for two reasons. The first is for its houses. Huddled tightly together along streets and canals, each one is painted a different color, with laundry strung up across the narrow streets. Legend has it that fishermen started this trend, painting their houses in bright shades so that they could see home from a distance.
But Burano’s major claim to fame is its centuries old tradition of lacemaking. Your guide will take you through the streets of Burano to a small building where women sit working feverishly, stitching lace like their mothers and grandmothers before them. Stay and watch their painstaking work, listen to a full commentary on what, in the age of sewing machines, has become a dying art and then take the time to explore the fascinating lace samples on display. When Michelangelo visited Burano he bought an altarpiece for the brand new Duomo in Milan.
You can take a leaf from his book and pick out your own keepsakes or spend your free time winding your way along the kaleidoscopic streets, sampling delicious cookies in local bakeries.
Option 6
Vespa tour in the Prosecco Hills, UNESCO World Heritage Site
6 Hours
After a private transfer to the Prosecco wine region, you will start this amazing experience.
First you'll have a safety briefing then you will be ready to follow our guide and set off on your way (1 Vespa for 2 passengers; international driver license required; it is also required proven driving ability of scooters or motorcycles).
Enter the Prosecco valley and admire the scenic country roads with beautiful landscapes.
Half-way through the day, stop at a selected winery in the heart of the region to learn about the winemaking process of the famous Prosecco DOCG wine. Explore the vineyard and wine cellars and taste the local wines paired with some typical products. Here the producer (or an expert Sommelier) will guide you through a wine tasting session that will reveal the secrets and the traditions of this famous wine production.
After the wine tasting, with a private transfer, you'll go back to Venice. Return on your own to your accommodation. Rest of the day and meals at leisure.
Option 7
Private tour of Venetian Villas
Meet your driver and your private English speaking tour escort.
Enjoy a full day tour (approx 7 hours) of the Venetian villas in the Vicenza area (*you will visit 2 villas, most likely Villa Valmarana ai Nani and Villa Capra.
During the tour you will stop for lunch at a selected restaurant in Vicenza (local wine included).
At the end of the day, private transfer to Venice and return on your own to your accommodation. Dinner at leisure.
Day 4
Enjoy the Rest of Italy
Continue your journey through Italy by opting in to visit Tuscany, Lake Como, Florence, Amalfi Coast or other parts of this gorgeous country or head back home with Venice in your heart!
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