Travelsphere Cruising the Heart of Italy

• Visit to the Doges palace and the San Marco’s seat (Alternatively hear all about Casanova’s adventures on a Casanova and Castles tour)
• Visit the glassmakers of Murano
• See colourful Burano
• Enjoy a guided tour of Vicenza
• Visit Verona and see the outside of Juliets House, the ampitheatre or the Giusti Gardens (July & August departures)
• Guided tour of Mantua
• Visit Cremona and Parma

• Return flights from Heathrow with Bristish Airways
• 6 nights on board 4-star MS Michelangelo
• 17 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners and all drinks (excluding Champagne and selected wines)
• All excursions included
• Cruise Representative and Local Guide
• Overseas transfers and other transportation
• Porterage
• Captain’s welcome cocktail reception
• Farewell gala dinner
• Onboard evening entertainment

DAY 1 UK/VENICE
Fly to Venice today and embark your ship. Settle into your cabin before enjoying dinner and meeting the crew at a Captain’s welcome cocktail reception.

DAY 2 VENICE
This morning, you have a choice of two inlcuded excursions.

On the Explorer Package, you’ll discover Saint Mark’s Square and its famous basilica, as well as take a tour inside Doge’s Palace, the official residence of Venetian dukes and the seat of the government until 1797. The current palace dates back to the 14th century and is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. A trek to the top of the Golden Staircase brings you to massive works by Tintoretto and Veronese, and gives you access to the antechambers and a magnificent view from the balcony.

This afternoon, join us in discovering the Venetian Lagoon and its islands. The Murano glassmakers retreated to the island of Murano to help keep their production techniques a secret. Burano instills a feeling of quiet and meditation as you walk along its docks lined with colorful homes. One of the most sought-out items on the island is handwoven lace that dates back to before the exploration of the New World. Enjoy a free evening to explore Venice on your own.

DAY 3 VENICE – CHIOGGIA – VICENZA – PORTO VIRO – ROVIGO
We’ll cruise to Chioggia, the departure point for our excursion to Vicenza for a guided tour. Vicenza is the epitome of gorgeous Italian landscapes, art, food, and wine. The most beautiful buildings in the city are found around the Piazza dei Signori. Here, you can take in the gorgeous facade of the Teatro Olimpico, which opened in 1585 and contains the oldest standing stage set still in existence. The theatre was the final design by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and is one of the listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city. As you enjoy your tour, the ship will cruise to Porto Viro. We’ll return on board in Porto Viro and spend the afternoon cruising towards Rovigo.

DAY 4 ROVIGO – TORRETTA – VERONA – VALDARO
This morning we will spend the morning cruising to Torretta. In the afternoon you have a choice of excursion, either on the explorer package tour where we visit Verona and its amphitheatre and head to Verona, the “City of Love” made famous by Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy Romeo and Juliet. We’ll get to see the outside of Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) and the balcony where she stood when Romeo declared his love. Verona encapsulates 2,000 years of history from an architectural, urban, and artistic point of view. The amphitheater, the historic symbol of the city, is a fantastic example of its longevity and influence. (If the amphitheater is closed and in July and August, we’ll visit the magnificent Giusti Gardens.)Alternatively on our discovery package take a bike tour of Verona and visit the Giusti Gardens

DAY 5 VALDARO – MANTUA
Our ship will begin to cruise early in the morning to Mantua.

Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Mantua, where the House of Gonzaga ruled for almost 400 years. Although Mantua is not well known, it is one of the most artistically rich and romantic cities in northern Italy. We’ll visit the Palazzo Ducale di Mantova (Ducal Palace – closed on Mondays) which overlooks the city center. Built between the 14th and the 17th centuries by the noble House of Gonzaga, the property comprises many buildings such as the Castel di San Giorgio which was designed as a defensive structure aimed at protecting the heart of the town, and subsequently converted into the main residence of the Gonzaga family. We’ll also visit the Camera degli Sposi (“bridal chamber”), known for its frescoes executed by Andrea Mantegna as a celebration of the Gonzaga family.

DAY 6 MANTUA – CREMONA – PARMA
Today joun us for an excursion to Cremona and Parma (including lunch). A stroll through the historical centre of Cremona reveals its hidden artistic and architectural treasures. Within the superb medieval square,we’ll take in the immensity of the duomo and tower before visiting a violin-maker’s workshop. We’ll then head to Polesine Parmense and stop at Fratelli Spigaroli(3) to visit the cellars where they cure the famous Culatello ham and Parmigiana cheese. In the afternoon, we’ll go to Parma—located in the confines of the Lombardy and Emilie-Romagna Regions—to indulge in art, music history, and food! Parma is in one of Italy’s most emblematic areas, and its castles and ancient churches inspire dreams of yesteryear.

DAY 7 MANTUA – VENICE – UK
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking where you board your transfer to Venice.

MS MICHELANGELO

The MS Michelangelo is a beautiful 4 star ship. Whilst onboard all meals and drinks will be included (*excluding Champagne and selected wines). The vessels facilities include; lounge bar with a dance floor, bar, dining room, large sundeck with deckchairs, gift shop and wifi.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.