Gleaming teak speed boats zip past, yellow water taxis follow in their trail causing a gentle swell as Venice wakes up to another morning. The clouds parting politely to allow the first rays of sunlight to introduce a sunny day. Temple domes silhouetted against the horizon create an air of mystery as the sunrise radiates its presence. And there is it, in full strength, the sun to escort our journey around Venice’s lagoon, its many islands in search of Venetian Treasures.
I’m on a river cruise with CroisiEurope travelling on their ship, The Michelangelo. It was constructed in 2000 and renovated in 2017. Her exterior coat is smart and white giving a sophisticated look while the interior is designed in relaxing shades of browns, creams and yellow ochre. On board there are 78 cabins over two floors to accommodate up to 154 guests. My cabin is elegant and functional, the bathroom with shower and toilet is compact. There’s adequate storage space and the bed extremely comfortable.
The restaurant is located at the back of the upper deck. The breakfast buffet includes a selection of fruit, cheeses and cooked items while fresh croissants and french bread sit temptingly in baskets on each table. With one set menu for lunch and dinner, tuck into a lunch of insalata giardiniera, pan-fried fillet of sea bream, lentils with chorizo sauce and mixed vegetables followed by a delicious raspberry cake. Throughout the cruise dinner will include starters such as smoked salmon and duck terrine, chased by pork, cod, quail and veal coated with various sauces, and of course, being in Italy, risotto and spaghetti. There’s a cheese course and then dessert. Service is always delivered with a smile and dietary requests catered for if requested in advance. The boat is pushed out for the gala dinner when canapes are served with bubbly in the bar lounge beforehand and in the restaurant, lights are softly dimmed for guests in their finery to enjoy a four-course dinner of foie gras with caramel spice, quail fillet and parsley in a port wine sauce, brie filled with mascarpone and pignolat, concluded with the sparkly baked Alaska flamed in Grand Marnier yellow fruit sauce as dessert. Buon appetito!
The lounge and bar form the social heart and sit at the front of the ship This is where the daily evening talk for the next day’s schedule is presented, and where the music draws guests to the dancefloor, the quiz challenges an attentive audience amidst a jovial atmosphere which forges new friendships especially sipping the cocktail of the day. Aperol or Pina Colado anyone? I met two Spanish childhood friends travelling together, Canadian friends ticking off yet another bucket list experience, a multi-generational family from France celebrating granny’s birthday, a sister duo and tour groups from the UK and The Netherlands. Definitely an international cruise!
In Search Of Venetian Treasures
Over five days and four nights, we were here to explore the Venetian waterscape, to submerge ourselves into its culture and culinary delights, admire the architectural wonder of palaces and bridges, the romanticism of the gondolas and the rich history of this Italian floating city around the lagoon and its islands. The Lagoon is an enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea, stretching 34 miles (56km) in length and seven miles (11km) wide, forming a crescent shape along part of the north east coast of Italy. Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. Today, it’s a tourist paradise and certainly a bucket list destination. The ship is moored at San Basilio Quay for ease of arrival and departure of passengers. For the remainder of the trip it is usually located closer to the centre of Venice, accessible for strolling around the city after dinner or during free time.
This destination is an archipelago of 118 islands, separated by around 177 canals which are linked by 400 bridges. The largest S-shaped Grand Canal divides the city while the most famous and oldest bridge across it is the Rialto Bridge. Linking Doge’s Palace with a former prison, the other iconic bridge is the Bridge of Sighs which crosses the Rio di Palazzo canal where prisoners walked across taking one last look at Venice and giving up their freedom, before their dungeon home. Venice is renowned for its labyrinth of narrow streets and passages where it’s easy to get lost amidst maze-like streets, so guided tours are a good investment. CroisiEurope offers a number of optional excursions on this five-day cruise in search of Venetian Treasures which takes in Venice, Mazzorbo and Chioggia.
GOURMET WALK THROUGH VENICE
This tour provided an insight into the daily life of Venetians, as well as rubbing shoulders with many other enthusiastic travellers. As a small guided group, we strolled leisurely through the San Polo area which included the age-old, authentic Rialto Market. Colourful and lively, it was packed with stalls overflowing with seasonal vegetables and fruits, from white onions, artichokes and oranges to pomegranates and packets of coloured rice. The fish market was swollen with huge fresh local fish such as monkfish and shellfish sprayed out on ice. After two hours touring, we visited a typical osteria to taste cicchetti, otherwise known as venetian tapas – plates of cheese, ham and vegetable on chunks of bread and the buranelli ring, or S-shaped butter biscuits flavoured with vanilla, rum or lemon, a speciality of the island of Burano. And of course, a glass of the local Prosecco.
GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF DOGE’S PALACE
Imposing, ornate and richly decorated, the Doge’s Palace, also known as the Palazzo Ducale, was built in the 11thcentury as the residence and seat of government. In this Gothic-style palace, it’s easy to feel like royalty climbing the richest staircase in the world, The Scala d’Oro or the Golden Staircase which showcases the magnificence of Classical and Romanesque decoration with gold and white stucco. Stroll through the palace rooms which appear more like art galleries with paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese and peep out of the windows to view canal life from a different perspective. Oh, beware, it is said there are ghosts in the Palace
With free time, sit and relax with a beverage in St. Mark’s Square, to people watch next to St Mark’s Basilica, the most famous of the city’s churches at the eastern end of the piazza. It can be expensive (18 euros for a glass of wine with olives at Café Lavena) but worth it for the orchestral entertainment while people watching as they marvel at the architectural splendours around. If energetic, climb to the top of the Campanile, a tall bell tower for great views.
VISIT THE ISLANDS OF BURANO AND MURANO
A leisurely, short cruise through the Venetian Lagoon takes us to Mazzorbo one of various islands in the northern part of the Lagoon of Venice. It was the site of one of the earliest settlements in the lagoon which predated the development of Venice as an important trading centre. It is now known for its vineyards and orchards and is linked to Burano by a wooden bridge. Burano is known for its traditional lacemaking and picture-perfect brightly coloured homes that border the canals. According to legend, the colour and design of the individual houses made it easier for fishermen to find their way home in the fog after a night of heavy drinking. This island is enchanting with bridges over the narrow canals, passageways begging to be explored, signs of local life with washing hanging from windows and flower boxes adding splashes of shades. Quaint shops are decorated with lacy textiles, some with ladies showing this intricate and delicate skill in process and of course, a lace museum.
A private boat transported us to the island of Murano, the largest on the lagoon and famous for its glassworks. Historically, rich and noble people used to holiday on this island. Today, most venetian glassmaking takes place here, not only to keep this artisan tradition alive but to protect the city of Venice from fires. After a glass blowing demonstration, there’s time to browse the boutique shops showcasing the glass figurines, plates and jewellery. The islands are vehicle-free zones making them very walkable.
GUIDED TOUR OF PADUA
The ship sails to Chioggia where the excursion includes a coach ride, one hour away, to Padua. On arrival, we stand in the impressive square of Prato della Valle. It is one of the largest in Europe and extends for almost 90,000 square metres. This large space with a green island at its centre, l’Isola Memmia, is surrounded by a small canal and guarded by two rings of statues, 78 in total. With a well-preserved medieval city centre, Padua accommodates Italy’s second-oldest university, the Basilica of Saint Anthony which is spirituality dedicated to the city’s patron saint and the Scrovegni Chapel, filled with Giotto’s era-defining frescoes, carefully preserved.
Palaces, bridges and gondolas, the mysteriousness of masked balls, the venetian waltz are all entwined in a rich history and vibrant culture. It is no wonder that Venice attracts around 28 million tourists each year, all aiming for the same Instagram memories resulting in busy squares and passing space only across its bridges. To experience Venice from the comfort and convenience of a river cruise is a huge benefit. The cosiness and peaceful atmosphere of your cabin after sightseeing, a drink to welcome you back, with a smile and the pleasure of meals cooked and brought to your table. No bustling bars or queuing for restaurants. This is your hotel on water for five days, life at your own pace with new friends. And it’s pure bliss, as I relax on a sun deck lounger, the perfect open-air setting to be in the moment on calm waters to soak up the spectacular panorama from my venetian cruise in the glow of the sunset. Ripples gently rock the ship, it’s not the swell from a James Bond’s chase filmed here in Casino Royale, it’s another water taxi, heading to the city in search of venetian treasures.
Sailing with CroisiEurope includes:
All meals from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the final day, onboard beverages, (not including additional choices detailed on the drinks list), gala evening, welcome cocktail and accommodation in a double-occupancy, climate-controlled cabin with a private bathroom.
2025 prices start from £830 per person based on the 17th March departure. Price includes return flights from London Gatwick and the cruise with all meals and drinks, port fees, Wi-Fi and repatriation insurance. Child discounts are available depending on age and departure date. Call CroisiEurope on 01756 691269 or visit www.croisieurope.co.uk
About CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope is a European river cruise company, owner and operator of its fleet of 55 vessels comprising two coastal ships, six 22-guest hotel barges and 42 river cruise ships. The company navigates on canals, rivers and seas of the world with 170 itineraries in 37 countries.
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