GOLDEN WEEK IN VENICE:
For Women Only
2028…
Interested?
Write to me at
100placesinitaly@gmail.com
Susan made this trip First Class!…Can’t wait to do it again.
–Sarah, New Mexico
Join author Susan Van Allen (100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go) for this luxurious adventure in Venice, custom-designed with female friendly highlights. From your base in a Grand Canal Palazzo boutique hotel, you’ll experience the awe-inspiring beauty and boundless pleasures this destination has given travelers for centuries, in Golden Style–with private boats all along the way. You’ll be guided through masterpieces of architecture in Piazza San Marco, dazzling La Fenice Opera house, fascinating Murano-Island of Glassmakers, and have a day to explore Burano, the island of lacemakers. You’ll immerse yourself in the world of Venetian flavors at the bustling Rialto market, cook with a local signora in an elegant villa on the Lido, and experience a Vivaldi chamber ensemble in a Renaissance church. With a group of wonderful women, you’ll enjoy breathtaking sights, delicious tastes, and discover hidden treasures.
The week is a gift of La Dolce Vita=The Sweet Life, in one of the world’s most magical destinations, giving you an inspiring experience that will become a golden memory for a lifetime.
View Sneak Peek
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA for Venice
Day 2: Welcome to Venice, with cocktails and dinner
Day 3: Discover Piazza San Marco / Backstage Tour of La Fenice Opera House
Day 4: Fun hands-on cooking class, beginning with visit to Rialto Market and moving on to class on Island of Lido / Evening Vivaldi Concert in a Renaissance Church
Day 5: Meet artisans in Murano, Island of Glassmakers / Sunset Gondola Experience
Day 6: Beautiful Day in Burano, Island of Lacemakers / Exclusive After Hours Visit to Basilica San Marco
Day 7: La Dolce Vita day in Venice / Farewell Dinner
Day 8: Arrivederci…Depart Venice with Golden Memories…
Interested in 2028?
Let me know! 100placesinitaly@gmail.com
Full Itinerary
Golden Day 1: Depart USA for Venice
Today you’ll depart on an overnight flight to Venice, full of joyful anticipation…
Or if you’d like to arrive early, pre-Golden Week hotel nights can happily be arranged!
Golden Day 2: Welcome to your Golden Week
Benvenuta! You’ll be met by your private water taxi driver at the airport or train station for your first glorious ride on the Grand Canal, then land at your home for the week: Palazzo Sant’ Angelo.
This luxurious boutique hotel is a classic Venetian-styled jewel box, set perfectly between the Rialto bridge and Piazza San Marco. You’ll have time to relax and explore its dreamy surroundings.
In the evening, we’ll gather at the Palazzo’s Grand Canal view bar to toast the Golden Week ahead. I’ll give you tips for your travel journal, so you can create a treasured souvenir of the week ahead. We’ll dine nearby, enjoying the first of many memorable meals, with wonderful Venetian flavors.
Meals: D
The Palazzo Sant’ Angelo hotel inspires oohs-and-ahhs on arrival. We get the red carpet treatment with our own private dock on the Grand Canal…
Private boat rides for our excursions are a highlight of Golden Week in Venice!
Golden Day 3: Venice Orientation Walk / Backstage Tour of La Fenice Opera House
Wake up and smell the caffe. Enjoy an abundant breakfast buffet in the palazzo’s cozy dining room…get used to this delightful beginning to all your Golden Days.
We’ll meet our entertaining guide and set out for an orientation walk, to arrive at the heart of Venice: Piazza San Marco, aka The Drawing Room of Europe–a spectacular expanse that will wow you with its mix of Byzantine and Renaissance design. Venetian history will be brought to life as we admire the facades of the Doges Palace, Clock Tower, and Basilica San Marco. We’ll take a break to settle into the Caffe Florian, Italy’s oldest caffe.
And we’ll be treated to an elevator ride to the top of the Campanile (bell tower) for amazing views.
Lunch and the early afternoon are free to enjoy on your own, with my recommendations.
In the late afternoon, you’ll have an exclusive backstage tour of La Fenice, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
We’ll hear the fascinating history of this venue, including stories of Diva Maria Callas, as we walk through dazzling halls, enjoy the view from the Royal Box, and end with an aperitivo in the Apollonian banquet room.
The evening is on your own to enjoy the pleasures of Venice.
Meals Included: B
Golden Day 4: Taste Venice / Hear Vivaldi
Today we’ll have a sensational experience of indulging in the culinary delights of Venice. We’ll begin at the Rialto Market–a bustling spot near the famous bridge that’s been the Venetian Shopping Center since 1097. Guided by a local chef, we’ll stroll fish stalls glistening with the lagoon’s catch-of-the-day, vibrant offerings of fruits and vegetables.
Next we’ll have a private boat ride to the island of Lido, arriving at our chef’s elegant villa, where we’ll learn Venetian specialties. Lunch in the villa’s garden, enjoying the fruits of our labors will follow.
We’ll return by the late afternoon and there will be time to wander the canals, shop, and sight-see, according to your desires. Perhaps after that big delicious lunch, you’d like to discover the Venetian wine bar scene, where fabulous snacks called cicchetti are served along with wines from Veneto’s vineyards.
To end the day, this evening, near our hotel, we’ll hear a chamber ensemble play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in a church built in the Renaissance. Vivaldi was born in Venice–lived and composed here–and to experience his music in this beautiful, intimate setting, played with passion, is extraordinary.
Meals Included: B, L
Golden Day 5: Meet Artisans in Murano-Island of Glassmakers / Sunset Gondola Ride
This morning we’ll head out by private water taxi with our guide to Murano, Island of Glassmakers. We’ll enjoy private visits to artisan studios and be guided to the best shops for these beautiful treasures. There will be time for wandering and having lunch on your own in this fascinating location.
The afternoon and early evening are yours to enjoy Venice, according to your desires.
As sunset nears…how about a gondola ride on the Grand Canal? We’ll gather to indulge in this experience for the memory books, and then the evening is on your own to enjoy, with my guidance.
Meals Included: B
Gondolas AND musicians appear on our private dock and take us away at sunset…
Golden Day 6: Beautiful Island of Burano / After Hours Visit to Basilica San Marco
A private water taxi will arrive at our hotel to take us on a ride through the Venetian lagoon to beautiful Burano, aka The Island of Lacemakers.
Women have been making lace here since the Renaissance, and the island is full of pretty shops to pick up unique souvenirs. At the Lace Museum, we’ll meet lovely signoras at work, following the craft tradition that’s been passed down to them through generations.
Burano is also beloved by photographers and painters for its distinctive brightly painted houses. We’ll have time to shop, wander this paradise and have lunch at my favorite restaurant, to enjoy the local specialties and amazing tiramisu. We’ll be back in Venice by late afternoon.
In the evening we’ll return to Piazza San Marco to see how dazzling it is at night and have the exquisite experience of entering the Basilica San Marco after hours, without the crowds. Our guide will show us parts of this treasure most tours miss, and we’ll gasp over the brilliant golden Byzantine mosaics that cover the interior–lit up just for us.
Meals: B, L
Burano…The colors, the lace, the lunch!
Golden Day 7: La Dolce Vita / Farewell Dinner
This is your day to immerse yourself in La Dolce Vita, and enjoy Venice according to your desires. There are many more masterpiece-filled palazzos, museums, churches, and artisan shops to enjoy.
Or you may wish to visit the Dorsoduro area and see the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of modern art, take a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto, or the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doges Palace. Susan will assist you to custom plan your day.
Other Free Options
–Visit an impressaria, to see Venetian glass beads transformed into beautiful jewelry and floral creations.
–Journal Writing Workshop
Options, for Additional Cost
Row Venice – Take a 1.5 hour lesson on the side canals of Venice to learn to row in the style of the gondoliers.
Doges Palace Secret Itinerary Tour
A fascinating 1.15 hour tour that takes you through the secret passageways of this amazing palace
In the evening a private water taxi will arrive at our hotel to take us to a glamorous Grand Canal restaurant for our Farewell Dinner of this Golden Week.
Meals: B, D
Golden Day 8: Arrivederci
A private water taxi driver will transport you to the Venice airport or train station, where you’ll depart with Golden Memories of our week together…
Meals: B
What’s Included
- Entertaining hosting by author Susan Van Allen, focusing on Italy’s celebration of all things female
- 6 nights at luxurious boutique hotel, Palazzo Sant’ Angelo, with side canal or courtyard views
- Transportation by private water taxi for group activities, including arrival and departure transfers from Venice airport or train station
- Daily buffet breakfast at the hotel
- 2 multi-course dinners, with wine
- 1 cooking class including Rialto Market tour and class on Island of Lido, followed by lunch
- 1 lunch in Burano, the Island of Lacemakers
- Guided orientation walk of Venice, with entertaining local guide, whisper headsets included, and skip-the-line entrance to Campanile
- Guided visit to Murano, Island of Glassmakers, with private visits to artisan studios
- Visit to Burano, Island of Lacemakers, with entrance to Lace Museum
- Exclusive After-Hours Guided Visit to Basilica San Marco
- Sunset Gondola ride, with music
- Gratuities for group activities: guides, drivers, and servers at group meals
- Travel journal and optional writing workshops
- $25 Donation to Save Venice
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)
- Everything not mentioned under “What’s Included”
Enjoy a Gondola Ride
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Say YES to this Adventure TODAY!
Space is limited and these trips Sell Out.
In Collaboration with PERILLO TOURS, America’s Leading Tour Operator to Italy for 80 years.
Contact Info:
TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE FOR GOLDEN WEEKS, or for more information, contact Susan Van Allen at 100placesinitaly@gmail.com
Would you like me to custom-design a Golden Week in Italy for you and your family or friends?
Would you like to arrive early or extend your Golden Week? We can arrange for discounted hotel rates and packages. Just ask!
