Somehow I knew I would return to my historic abode , the legendary Bauer L ’ Hotel , a fabled Grand Dame hotel known by nearly every Venetian I spoke to on my latest Italian quest . Located in the heart of the San Marco district overlooking The Grand Canal , this classic Venetian landmark was among the luxury hotels included in the Luxury Gold by Insight Vacations new Ultimate Italy program .
The premium tour operator that has been curating itineraries for over 35 years has emphasized quality , authentic engaging experiences , and learning , in its offerings . “ If you travel with us you won ’ t be herded around . You will feel like an individual . You can enjoy things your own way . Your own personal aspirations can be realized and the traveling concierge is there to help you fulfill your dreams . That ’ s the big thing . You have this independence yet the advantage of the group at the same time . It ’ s a cracking dynamic ,” says John Boulding , CEO of Insight Vacations joining us on this ultimate quest of Italy .
Luxury Gold by Insight Vacations includes exclusive experiences like the sought-after serenade gondola tour that other tourists would pay a hefty fee . I sit inside an elegant black wooden gondola and explore an artery of smaller quieter canals that veer from the Grand Canal . The scenes are magical . Diners on private balconies converse by candlelight over glasses of Prosecco as I snap photographs of this fanciful world once lived in by the Great Masters . There ’ s a plaque bearing Mozart ’ s name and another of Casanova with a vast collection of more palazzos and restaurants christened by other great icons .
By evening , Venice turns into your own private city . The walled laneways settle into solitude . The only sounds are of the briny sea as it gently laps onto worn steps edged in creeping moss that strangles the aged palazzos in a luxuriant green . But come dawn , there ’ s nothing like being awoken by the bells of Saint Mark ’ s Basilica to begin your day in La Serenissima . Even the cruise passengers would be taxied to Saint Mark ’ s
Square but I among other Luxury Gold guests had only to walk to Venice ’ s fabled site .
One morning we leave the dock of the Bauer L ’ Hotel helmed by the marbled figure Italia Turrita overlooking the Santa Maria della Salute , a 17th century masterpiece , and hop inside our covered motoscafi . We cruise past the busy gondola traffic to the Murano Glass Factory situated on the famous outlying island of Murano devoted to glass blowing . Master glass blower Enrico dei Rossi who is from a Murano glass making dynasty ( he ’ s eighth generation ) demonstrates the ancient technique and creates a beautiful horse where no two pieces are ever alike . “ It is a work of art ,” says our tour guide , Roberto Visinoni , a Venetian .
Lunch is its own Venetian affair . Along a calle ( narrow street ) of commerce and trattorias , the patrons of Al Vecio Penasa pack inside to order the house specialty , Venetian-style sandwiches of radicchio and tuna , bruschetta or ham and eggs that ’ s nicely washed down with Venice ’ s signature drink , a light Aperol Spritz .
In the afternoon we explore the haunts of Venice in a vivid walking tour . I see the birthplace of Vivaldi and tuck into the quieter ‘ real ’ places of Venice to see the intimate private courtyards festooned with laundry drying on the line strung high between houses framed by pretty window boxes brimming in scarlet red geraniums .
At the 14th century Doge ’ s Palace , we slip past the queue ( the tour company has advanced reservations to see this most private world ) and marvel at the extraordinary collection of artwork , sculptures , ancient armoury and ghoulish torture devices displayed in the lavish staterooms . Your head spins in all directions . There is the masterpiece Paradise by the Venetian Tintoretto which is regarded as the world ’ s largest oil painting and the stories of Casanova ’ s imprisonment in the castle both which tickle the imagination .
Insight Vacations regularly schedules
61 free time , a feature many travelers anticipate for personal shopping , dining , and sightseeing . And so it is that afternoon . After my guided walking tour , I veer from the crowds over the Ponte dell ' Accademia and stroll past a quiet passageway ensconced in crowns of wisteria and stop again . This time I view the world of the great arts patron , Peggy Guggenheim . I confess I am awestruck as I toured the magnificent museum housed inside the great modern art collector ’ s private residence .
Oh to be in Venice
To Know :
Cruise guests can add a brilliant land-only itinerary to further soak in la dolce vita with Insight Vacations Luxury Gold , ( www . insightvacations . com ; 1-866- 747-8120 ). Luxury Gold offers a 13-day ( https :// www . insightvacations . com / ca / tours / products / insight-gold-luxury-tour / ultimate-italy / summer-2016 / ultimate-italy-summer-2016 ) Ultimate Italy trip that includes 11 nights ’ in outstanding accommodation , 6 evening meals including a Michelin starred dinner on the isle of Capri , a Tuscan cooking demonstration , an exclusive behind the scenes visit to the Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor in Florence and access to the Vatican City before it opens to the general public . Also included are VIP door to door private airport transfers , sightseeing and the services of a professional Traveling Concierge throughout .
Venice tips :
Maps in Venice are really not that useful but you do get an idea on how the city is laid out . When you visit Venice the important tip is to know your area and where you want to go . Seek out the helpful yellow signs on the buildings with names like “ San Marco ” and the “ Rialto Bridge .”
www . insightvacations . com www . italiantourism . com
American World Traveler / Fall 2016