Music & Concert Tour To Venice

This famous square is the heart of Venice. Students can join the tourists who throng in front of the Basilica di San Marco and neoclassical Museo Correr. The ‘little square’ leading from Piazza San Marco to the waters of Bacino San Marco once served as the grand entrance to the Republic.

Tip: Prices for food and drink in the Piazza are high, so plan your meals outside this stop.

This is one of the most famous churches in the world and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. Located on St Mark’s Square this is a must see for anyone visiting Venice and guided tours can be arranged upon request. The Basilica, consecrated in 1094, houses the relics of St Mark and is richly decorated with mosaics. The golden altarpiece is a masterpiece dating from the 10th century.

The Grand Canal is an ancient waterway that is the main route through Venice. It is lined with magnificent buildings that were built from the 13th to the 18th centuries by wealthy Venetian families. The best way to view these is to travel by vaporetto(water bus) – the no.1 and no.2 both travel from end to end – or you can take a water taxi or gondola.

The pink and white marble Doge’s Palace in St Mark’s Place is an audacious expression of Venetian prosperity and power. It has façades that were designed by Giovanni and Bartolomeo Buon which date from 1309 to 1424. The palace, which was started in the 9th century was rebuilt several times and completed in the Renaissance period.

This important gallery of fine art traces the development of Venetian art and artists chronologically up to the 18th century. Students can see a vast range of art inspired by the many different perspectives a single city can provide. The collection includes influential works by Bellini Carpaccio, Tintoretto, Giorgione and Canaletto.

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore’s incredible neo-gothic façade is something to behold. Inside are impressive tombs, frescoes and paintings. The Baptistery, a romanesque minor basilica, is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. The external imagery, particularly on the 3 bronze doors, is incredibly intricate.

The Collection is the most important museum in Italy for European and American art from the first half of the 20th century. It is located in Peggy Guggenheim’s former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, and presents her personal collection of 20th century art. It ranges from cubism to abstract expressionism, enabling students to see a range of works and styles.

Take a boat trip to the islands of Venice. Students can visit Murano, famous for its glassware, with some glass factories running tours. Burano Island has picturesque canals lined with colourful houses. It’s famous for artisan lace, which you can buy in many of the shops. Torcello is a peaceful island, much of it a nature reserve, with a beautiful cathedral.

Tour of one of Italy’s oldest opera houses, the site of many famous operatic premieres. The name of Teatro La Fenice (meaning ‘The Phoenix’) was coined when it was built over the ashes of its predecessor in 1792. Since then, it has burned and been rebuilt twice more. Daily audio-guided tours are available in several languages from 9:30am – 6pm. Photo © Giorgio Minguzzie.