Venice school tour

Built on 116 islands and connected by 409 bridges, this stunning city appears to float on water. Venice, or the Divine Republic, is home to magnificent architecture and one of the world’s greatest art collections.

Best explored by vaporetto (water bus) and on foot. Discerning travellers visit out of season, avoiding the crowds and the heat. Combine with a visit to Florence to create a multi-centre Art tour. Please telephone us for more details.

Lido di Jesolo on the Venetian coast makes the ideal, value for money choice for schools visiting Venice. Less than 50km from Venice, Lido also has all the leisure amenities of a modern resort, including a wide sandy beach providing excellent, safe bathing.

Cross Curriculum Excursions

St Mark’s Square and Basilica

Dubbed by Napoleon the "drawing room of the world," St. Mark's Square has been the hub of religious and social life in Venice for nearly one thousand years. From the Square you are ideally situated to move onto St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Bell Tower, which are probably some of the most famous sights in Venice. The splendid facade of the Basilica was intended as an altar for the people who could not enter the church. Commissioned in 1071 by Doge Domenico Contarini, the stunning church features a mixture of Byzantine and Venetian architecture, reflecting the city’s trade links with the Orient. It began its life as the Doge's private chapel, as part of his Palace and it remained so until 1807 when it became the city cathedral. Nicknamed the "Church of Gold," this lavish Cathedral is thought to be one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture throughout the world; the gilded mosaics and marble floors make the interior just as impressive.

Doge’s Palace

By the fourteenth century the hierarchy of Venice decided that a grand palace was needed, but the structure was not completed until 1450. The architectural style is described as Venetian-Gothic and is remarkable for its lack of fortifications and defence systems. This was because Venice was such a powerful city that it did not feel the need to spend vast amounts of money protecting itself from potential attackers. Thanks to the patronage of its former occupiers, the Palace is filled with works by Venetian Renaissance masters, such as Veronese and Tintoretto.

Bridge of Sighs

Simultaneously encompassing a myth of love and a myth of death the Bridge of Sighs is a most contradictory symbol. It was built to connect the Old Prison and interrogation rooms at the Doge Palace to the New Prison situated just across the water. Some say that it gets its name from the prisoners who, condemned to death, would sigh as they passed their last glimpse of freedom, while others believe that it comes from the sighs of lovers who pass beneath it and are awe-struck by the romance and beauty of the moment. Completed in 1591, it was once the only means of crossing the Grand Canal by foot and is now generally thought of as one of the finest examples of bridge architecture in the world.

Santa Maria delle Salute

The people of Venice decided to build Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, often just referred to as "Salute," in 1630 after a particularly bad bout of the plague wiped out one third of the population. The senate promised to build the church in honour of Mary, whom they hoped would free the city from future waves of the plague. It is also the site of the annual Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin, which is held every 21st November. Whilst some see it as possibly the supreme masterpiece of the Venetian Baroque period, others may simply recognise it as the church that was featured in the last Indiana Jones movie.

Lake Garda and Gardaland

Italy's number one theme park, which was set-up in 1975 by local investors, is a popular way to break up the sightseeing, and a day at a theme park is always welcomed by students.

www.lakegarda.com/gardaland.php

Aqualandia, Lido di Jesolo

Aqualandia is a water amusement park open throughout the summer.

www.aqualandia.it/en/discover-the-park/

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of the most visited tourist attractions throughout Venice and is certainly the most famous of the bridges that crosses the Grand Canal. There has always been a bridge at this point along the canal, but before the stone bridge that we see today, there was a basic wooden one, and before that, an even more basic bridge of boats.

Art Excursions back to top

Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery is something you can begin to enjoy before you even arrive within it bounds; it is in the Dorsoduro Sestiere district of Venice and so a walk across the Ponte dell'Accademia, which was built by the Austrians to move their soldiers quickly across the city, is definitely worthwhile. From the top of the bridge you will have a fantastic view of the Canal Grande and the Santa Maria della Salute. The museum itself includes a collection of Venetian art including works by Titian, Bellini and Mantegna.

www.galleriaccademia.org/

Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Located on Venice's Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim is where one of Europe's greatest collection of modern art can be found. From Cubism to Futurism and from Duchamp, to Pollock and Moore, the Peggy Guggenheim offers a rich array of modern art.

www.guggenheim-venice.it

Ca D’Oro

An old Fifteenth century residence, the Ca D'Oro was built in the Venetian Gothic style; students will be able to admire the important work produced by the Venetian school among which is the famous ""San Sebastiano" by Andrea Mantegna. There are also some Tuscan and Flemish works and some wonderful bronze statues.

www.cadoro.org/

The Ghetto

Venice's Ghetto was the first Jewish ghetto in the world and was set-up as an area to segregate the Jews from the rest of the population in 1516. The Doge, Venice's ruling council, debated whether or not Jews should be allowed to reside in the city and decided that they could, but that they would be confined to a small dirty island away from the rest of the population, known as Ghetto Nuova. The word Ghetto comes from the Italian, 'getto,' meaning 'casting' or 'foundry.' As well as living in the ghetto, Jews had to abide by a separate set of rules from the rest of the population; they were only allowed to leave the ghetto during the day and were locked inside at night, they were only permitted to work in pawn shops, as money-lenders, for the Hebrew printing-press, in the textile industry or to practise medicine and when away from the Ghetto they had to wear a yellow circle or scarf.

Verona

Verona makes a lovely day trip away from Venice and has plenty to offer in the way of ancient ruins, stunning architecture and even literary culture. Shakespeare chose Verona as the place to set his most famous romantic tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet." So, for the Shakespeare fans among you a trip to Juliet's balcony is always popular. For those of you who prefer music or ancient Roman architecture and ruins, an experience at the Roman Arena is very exciting, and during the summer months the Arena still plays host to many highly acclaimed Opera performances. Otherwise, take an amble through Verona's pretty streets and squares where interesting shops can be found as well as welcoming cafes and restaurants. In particular, don't miss out on either, Verona's Via Mazzini, an elegant pedestrian street paved with shiny Verona marble, or Piazza Erbe, Verona's most attractive square.

 

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