Art & History Abroad Tours
Venetian Art & Culture
We approach Venice through the art and buildings that shaped its civic and religious life, from Piazza San Marco and the Doge’s Palace to churches where works remain in their original setting. An exclusive evening inside St Mark’s Basilica gives the tour a particular sense of access.
In early summer, Venice’s golden domes, marble arcades, churches and islands reveal a city shaped by faith, trade and civic ambition. With Dr Peter Higginson, we consider how the Republic’s power and prosperity influenced the development of the Venetian School.
The strength of the tour lies in seeing art, architecture and political history together, often in places where the original relationship between building, painting and worship can still be understood.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Dr Peter Higginson
Peter is a highly respected lecturer specialising in the art and culture of early modern Europe and the modern period. His publications include work on art and society in seventeenth-century Baroque Rome and the patronage of Caravaggio, a particular focus of his research.
He has taught numerous university courses abroad and leads cultural programmes across Europe, including Rome, Venice, Florence, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. Peter’s enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment have earned consistently strong reviews from Travel Editions travellers, making his tours both scholarly and highly enjoyable.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.
Day 1: London to Venice
Fly from London Heathrow to Venice and transfer by coach and people mover to Piazzale Roma and onwards the short distance (approx. 200 metres) on foot to check-in at the hotel. Welcome reception, dinner with wine and evening lecture: ‘Venezianita: the uniqueness of Venetian culture and its tradition’.
Day 2: Piazza San Marco Complex
In the morning we will visit the Piazza San Marco area and the Piazzetta (ceremonial gateway to Venice), and in the afternoon we will visit to the Doge’s Palace and the Museo di San Marco with its famous gilt bronze horses. We will be able to view the interior of the church as part of a special evening visit later in the tour.
Dinner with wine and evening lecture ‘Art and the Venetian state: the scuole (charitable confraternities) and their role in Venetian culture’.
Day 3: Santa Maria della Salute & Accademia and the Arsenale area
This morning visit the Accademia, the main gallery of Venetian art, followed by Longhena’s extravagant Baroque church Santa Maria della Salute. In the afternoon we take the vaporetto to the Arsenale, the famous collection of shipyards that served the prowess of the Serenissima’s naval power. Followed with visit to the scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, and the convent church of San Zaccaria and Bellini’s famous altarpiece. In the early evening we will make a special visit to the basilica of San Marco, with full illumination of the mosaics; and access to various chapels, the main elements of the high altar, and the crypt.
Day 4: Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari & island of San Giorgio Maggiore
The first visit of the day is the Franciscan church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, including Titian’s magnificent Assumption of the Virgin, and Pesaro’s Madonna. Then it’s off to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to view the superb Tintoretto decorative schemes.
In the afternoon, visit the church of San Sebastiano with its important collection of works by Paolo Veronese: he is also buried there. Then head to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to visit Palladio’s church of 1559-80 and along the Giudecca to visit Palladio’s masterpiece, Il Redentore.
Day 5: Islands of Torcello, Burano & the Isola di San Francesco del Deserto
A morning on Torcello to see the fine Byzantine Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its marvellous mosaics. There will be time for lunch and sightseeing on the island of Burano, with its famous history of lace production before taking a private boat in the afternoon to visit the charming, peaceful Isola di San Francesco del Deserto where St Francis landed in 1220 on his return from the Holy Land setting up a community for his fellow friars.
Day 6: Ca’ D’Oro, The Cannaregio district & journey home
In the morning we explore the Cannaregio sestiere (district) to visit the Ca’ d’Oro, long considered as the best-surviving domestic building in the Venetian Gothic, with its Galleria Franchetti painting collection. Then we walk into the less explored parts of the sestiere to look at the overwhelming Baroque interior of I Gesuiti, and the church of the Madonna del Orto, ending our morning at the historic Jewish ghetto.
Later in the afternoon, we make our transfer to Venice airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Pesaro Palace
Hotel Pesaro Palace is a beautiful four-star hotel which maintains the characteristics of the ancient residences of Venice with elegant furnishings. A highlight is the tranquil private garden, a rare and peaceful retreat. Perfectly positioned on the northern curve of the Grand Canal, the hotel offers easy access to Venice’s cultural landmarks, just a 10-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge and 15 minutes from St Mark’s Square. Its location, comfort, and historic ambience make it an ideal base for our tour.
Hotel Pesaro Palace Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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