Timeless Venice From the Water

There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The busy city’s streets of water and the tiny islands of its lagoon combine in a unique UNESCO enclave. The tour is a similarly fitting combination of elegant cruising, inspiring tours, and free time for intriguing exploration

Since its medieval golden days, Venice has been revered for its art and architecture. Known as La Serenissima, the marble city is squeezed onto a hundred islets, interwoven with canals and bridges; a flamboyant, living museum. The lagoon is a broad but shallow spread around it, dotted with sleepy islands, some all but abandoned, others brimming with old world charm. Making full use of the watery topography, this tour is based aboard the stylish cruiser, MS Michelangelo; calmly removed from the crowds, while effortlessly visiting unmissable sights. The ‘best of both worlds’ concept extends to the itinerary, introducing you to Venice and its surrounds in a flexible blend of guided tours and independent discovery. Optional tours in Venice show you the world-famous Doge’s Palace and the city’s must-see monument, St Mark’s Basilica. Elsewhere, included excursions take in a vineyard visit on Mazzorbo island, and give you time to cross the bridge to Burano, with its impossibly pretty rows of painted houses; and we cruise the length of the Venetian Lagoon to Choggia, for a road trip to historic Padua, boasting the Basilica of St. Anthony, and the largest piazza in Italy.

Overview

Days 1-2 - Venice
Day 3 - Venetian Lagoon
Day 4 - Choggia/Padua/Venice
Day 5 - Venice
Day 6 - Return flight

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Tour Highlights

Stay aboard a vessel in Venice
Enjoy a Venice Lagoon Cruise
Explore Mazzorbo on foot
Wander around Burano
Taste wine at Venissa winery
Discover Padua’s landmarks

There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The busy city’s streets of water and the tiny islands of its lagoon combine in a unique UNESCO enclave. The tour is a similarly fitting combination of elegant cruising, inspiring tours, and free time for intriguing exploration

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Venice, transfer to the mooring to board the MS Michelangelo, your
vessel for the 5-night cruise, and join us for a welcome cocktail and an introduction to the crew.
After dinner aboard, the evening is yours to relax on the ship or explore ashore.
(D)

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

- Itinerary -

Key: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Day 1

Fly from London to Venice, transfer to the mooring to board the MS Michelangelo, your
vessel for the 5-night cruise, and join us for a welcome cocktail and an introduction to the crew.
After dinner aboard, the evening is yours to relax on the ship or explore ashore.
(D)

Day 2

Enjoy a morning of independent discovery, or take our optional tour of the iconic Doge’s
Palace. The guide will walk you through the immense halls of the palazzo, lavishly furnished and rich
with artworks by Tintoretto and Veronese; and across the 17th-century Bridge of Sighs, which linked
the palace courtroom to the historic prison (pre-bookable). At the end of the tour, there is free
time to savour the splendour of St. Mark’s Square, from its imposing basilica to the spires and
statues of its ‘Paper Gate’, before returning to the cruiser for lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to set your own pace in ‘the marble city’, viewing its multiple museums, fantastic façades, and
omnipresent art.
(B, L, D)

Day 3

Settle on the sun deck this morning for a leisurely cruise through the Venetian Lagoon to
Mazzorbo island, and walk the wooden footbridge to explore the neighbouring island of Burano,
famed for its colourful canal-side houses and for its fine lacemaking. Stroll back to Mazzorbo for
lunch aboard and an afternoon visit to the Venissa Vineyard, which includes a tasting of the unique
Venissa wine, made from an ancient variety of Dorona grapes and based on traditional methods.
Later, enjoy free time to relish the rural simplicity of the island, perhaps viewing its monastery and
14thcentury belltower. Overnight mooring in Mazzorbo.
(B, L, D)

Day 4

The ship sails south on its morning journey to Choggia, passing scenic islands, islets, and The
Lido sandbar which shields the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. An included excursion this afternoon
takes you by road to Padua. Renowned for its art, architecture, and religious heritage, Padua’s
landmarks include medieval palazzos, the vast Prato della Valle city square, and the cloistered
Basilica of St. Anthony. We visit this 13th-century edifice, crowned with Byzantine domes, its Baroque
interior adorned with priceless artworks, and holding the tomb of the saint. Return to the ship for
the sunset sail back to Venice.
(B, L, D)

Day 5

Our optional morning tour today is a guided visit to the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in the Castello District. Located in the historic district of Castello, the basilica is one of the most impressive religious buildings in Venice. It has earned the nickname ‘The Pantheon of Venice’ (pre-bookable).

With an afternoon at leisure, perhaps take a gondola ride, visit the famous Rialto Bridge, or discover the little-known neighbourhoods of Venice; the Castelletto district, with a waterfront riva running through residential streets to little bridges and authentic restaurants; and Cannaregio, boasting casual eateries, artisan shops, and the 16th-century ‘Venetian Ghetto’, the setting for Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. Enjoy a festive Gala Evening on your final night aboard.
(B, L, D)

Day 6

Disembark the MS Michelangelo this morning, and transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.
(B)

Notes:

Optional excursions are subject to minimum numbers and include some long walks.

The exact location of the moorings is at the discretion of the Venice port authorities, normally Riva Sette Martiri, Marittima or San Basilio.

Cabins are available from 5pm on arrival and until 9am on departure (before/after this, luggage storage on board is possible).

The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites

Vessels

MS Michelangelo Vessel, Italy, Sun Deck View

MS Michelangelo

Launched in 2000 and refurbished in 2017, the MS Michelangelo is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family.

All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service with the occasional buffet. The vessel does not sail at night.

Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sun deck and WiFi (free/limited).

78 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV. 27 twin/double cabins (118 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck with a picture window, 49 twin/double cabins (118 sq. ft.) and two single cabins with picture window on the Main Deck.

View Deck Plan

Optional Excursions

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Dates & Prices
Supplements, Extras & Upgrades

Dates & Prices

per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin

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Thu 19 Jun 2025

From London Heathrow

Was ~~£1745~~

£ 1705

Thu 10 Jul 2025

From London Heathrow

No Single Supplement (5 Rooms Remaining)

Was ~~£1775~~

£ 1735

Thu 14 Aug 2025

From London Heathrow

No Single Supplement (5 Rooms Remaining)

Was ~~£1695~~

£ 1655

Thu 09 Oct 2025

From London Heathrow

Was ~~£1775~~

£ 1735

Price Includes:

Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 5-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, Jules Verne Representative, itinerary as described, services of a cruise director, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.

Not Included:

Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.

Supplements per person

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Single Supplement

No Single Supplement (limited availability)

2025: Jul, Aug

Single Supplement
£345

Upgrades

MS Michelangelo - Upper Deck Twin/Double from £115

MS Michelangelo - Upper Deck Single from £460 (On Request: Please Call)

Optional Excursions

Doges' Palace (2025)
£75

The Pantheon of Venice (2025)
£55

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There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The busy city’s streets of water and the tiny islands of its lagoon combine in a unique UNESCO enclave. The tour is a similarly fitting combination of elegant cruising, inspiring tours, and free time for intriguing exploration

Overview

Tour Highlights

There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The busy city’s streets of water and the tiny islands of its lagoon combine in a unique UNESCO enclave. The tour is a similarly fitting combination of elegant cruising, inspiring tours, and free time for intriguing exploration

Itinerary

- Itinerary -

Notes:

Vessels

MS Michelangelo

Optional Excursions

Dates & Prices

Price Includes:

Not Included:

Supplements per person

Single Supplement

Upgrades

Optional Excursions

Similar Tours

Venice & the Ducal Cities

Sea & Sardinia