Europe
(153)
Italy
(45)
Germany
(23)
United Kingdom
(21)
France
(17)
Spain
(12)
Austria
(8)
Czech Republic
(6)
Switzerland
(6)
Greece
(5)
Netherlands
(4)
Slovakia
(4)
Finland
(3)
Portugal
(3)
Hungary
(2)
Albania
(1)
Armenia
(1)
Belgium
(1)
Bulgaria
(1)
Croatia
(1)
Cyprus
(1)
Denmark
(1)
Estonia
(1)
Georgia
(1)
Ireland
(1)
Malta
(1)
Norway
(1)
Poland
(1)
Romania
(1)
Slovenia
(1)
Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Italy
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Venice
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Italy
)
)
)
Art History of Venice - Painting, sculpture and architecture in the world’s most beautiful city
7
days
from
A$7,840
Book today with a deposit of
A$1,176
8th - 14th November 2027
Tour highlights
- Venice preserves more major works of painting, sculpture and architecture in their original settings than almost any other city in the world. This tour does justice to that extraordinary inheritance.
- The itinerary spans a thousand years of art — from the Byzantine mosaics of Torcello and San Marco to Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo and beyond — tracing the eastern connections that gave Venetian art its singular character.
- A private, after-hours visit to the Basilica di San Marco offers a quality of contemplative silence simply unavailable to the ordinary visitor.
- Led by Dr Susan Steer, art historian specialising in Venice and the city’s representative for the Venice in Peril Fund, in a smaller group of no more than 18, in November — the finest month to visit.
For the world’s most beautiful city, Venice had an inauspicious start. The first settlers came as refugees, fleeing to terrain so inhospitable – a scattering of mudbanks in a shallow lagoon – that no foe would follow. The community that arose on that unpromising site became, by the end of the Middle Ages, the leading maritime power in the Mediterranean and possibly the wealthiest city in Europe.
Trade with the East was the source of that wealth, and the eastern connection left an indelible mark on Venetian art and architecture. Western forms are here tempered by a richness of effect and delicacy of pattern redolent of oriental opulence – and it is above all by its colour that Venetian painting is distinguished. Whether sonorous or poetic, from Bellini through Titian to Tiepolo, there are echoes throughout of the transcendental splendour of the Byzantine mosaics of St Mark’s.
That Venice survives so comprehensively from the days of its greatness, so little altered by modern intrusion, would suffice to make it essential for anyone curious about the man-made world. There are not half-a-dozen cities in the world that surpass it for the sheer number of major works of architecture, sculpture and painting.
This tour explores that inheritance across seven days in November – the finest month to visit – in a smaller group than usual, led by Dr Susan Steer, an art historian who has spent her career specialising in Venice and who now serves as the city’s representative for the Venice in Peril Fund. The itinerary moves between churches, scuole, palaces and galleries, from the Gothic grandeur of the Doge’s Palace to Carpaccio’s paintings at the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni. It culminates in a private, after-hours visit to the Basilica di San Marco – an experience, and a quality of contemplative silence, simply unavailable to the ordinary visitor.
Venice in Peril Fund is the leading British charity dedicated to safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of Venice, now and for future generations. Through collaborative conservation projects, research, educational training and our events programme, we support conservation efforts across Venice, its lagoon and historical territories.
Itinerary
Fly at c. 1.30pm (British Airways) from London Heathrow to Venice. Cross the lagoon by motoscafo (water-taxi) to the hotel.
The morning walk includes S. Zaccaria a church with an outstanding Renaissance altarpiece by Bellini. SS. Giovanni e Paolo, a vast Gothic church which is the burial place of 25 doges. The many sepulchres include some masterpieces of Renaissance art. In the evening there is a special after-hours private visit to the Basilica di S. Marco, an 11th-century Byzantine church enriched over the centuries with mosaics, sculpture and various precious objects.
Avoid the busiest of the daily crowds by heading early to the incomparably beautiful Doge’s Palace with pink Gothic revetment and rich Renaissance interiors. Continue to the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, which houses a significant art collection and library, and was restored by architect Carlo Scarpa. In the afternoon visit the Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni, which has a wonderful cycle of painting by Carpaccio.
Cross the Grand Canal to the San Polo district, location of the great Franciscan church of Sta. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, which has outstanding artworks including Titian’s Assumption, and the Scuola Grande di S. Rocco, with dramatic paintings by Tintoretto. Sta. Maria della Salute, the splendid Baroque church at the mouth of the Grand Canal, was built in thanksgiving for deliverance from the 1630 plague.
Cross the lagoon by motoscafo to the island of Torcello, once the rival of Venice but now scarcely inhabited. Virtually all that remains of the city is the magnificent Veneto-Byzantine cathedral with its 12th-century mosaics. Cross to the small island of Mazzarbo, for a wine tasting, before a stroll through the colourful streets of Burano, where lunch is included.
Spend the morning in the Accademia, Venice’s major art gallery, where all the Venetian painters are well represented. The afternoon is free.
The Ca’ Rezzonico is a magnificent palace on the Grand Canal, now a museum of 18th-century art. Travel by motoscafo to Venice airport. Fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 6.30pm.
Expert speaker
Dr Susan Steer
Art historian specialising in Venice. Her MA concentrated on the city’s art and architecture and her PhD on Venetian Renaissance altarpieces. As post-doctoral researcher with the University of Glasgow and Neil MacGregor scholar at the National Gallery, she worked as a researcher and editor on the National Inventory of European Painting, the UK’s online catalogue of European paintings. She has extensive experience of teaching History of Art for university programmes in the UK and Italy. Susan taught for the University of Warwick in Venice and is now the Venice representative for the British charity, the Venice in Peril Fund.
More tours led by Dr Susan Steer
Practicalities
Two sharing: A$8,140 or A$7,840 without flights. Single occupancy: A$9,430 or A$9,130 without flights.
Travel between Venice Airport and hotel by water-taxi, a vaporetto pass for the duration of the tour; luggage porterage from and to the airport; hotel accommodation; breakfasts; 1 lunch and 3 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Hotel Splendid, Venice: delightful 4-star hotel situated half-way between Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
The nature of Venice means that the city is more often than not traversed on foot. There is a lot of walking along the flat, and also up and down bridges. Standing around in museums and churches is also unavoidable. Uneven ground and irregular paving are standard. A good level of fitness is essential. The tour should not be attempted by anyone who has difficulty with everyday walking and stair-climbing.
Between 8 and 18 participants.
Before booking, please refer to Smartraveller to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting. As a British company we follow the advice of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Dates & prices
AUD Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afpkqsdhqdmq0dd2gdzx
[published] => 1
[start] => 2027-11-08 00:00:00
[end] => 2027-11-14 00:00:00
[range_type] => Fixed
[version] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5af64ssg404hhj2zm58sx
[name] => 2027
)
[inventory] => Array
(
[type] => Allocation
[capacity] => 17
[errata] =>
)
[categories] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Dr Susan Steer
[description] =>
)
)
[fields] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => onlinetalk_booking_link
[string] =>
)
[1] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_departure_code
[string] => MN542
)
[2] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_departure_setup_id
[string] => 30510
)
[3] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_link_speakers
[string] => [{"id":80102,"title":"Dr","forename":"Susan","surname":"Steer","type":"Lecturer"}]
)
)
[elements] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afqrr0d9jevdp432fk8j
[element] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afbck91avkb6wrwy4q8r
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Tour Space
)
[name] => Tour Space
[published] => 1
[is_package] => 1
)
[prices] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afrqd1sdszfqjwf49tgy
[currency] => AUD
[value] => 7840
[on_sale] => 1
[previous_value] =>
[deposit] =>
[option] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afe8dbvsc1d0xbn1e7cv
[name] => Tour Space
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Price
)
[constraints] =>
[web_bookable] => 1
[published] => 1
)
)
)
)
[1] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afs0nwmh5tmatw88x5gc
[element] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afgtc561jbzdg6vwgz9e
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Flights
)
[name] => Flight
[published] => 1
[is_package] => 1
)
[prices] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afsxt2x0csejpbv02h8p
[currency] => AUD
[value] => 900
[on_sale] => 1
[previous_value] =>
[deposit] =>
[option] => Array
(
[id] => 01ktp5afkx092yhh5k63aqaqp8
[name] => Price
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Price
)
[constraints] =>
[web_bookable] => 1
[published] => 1
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
2027
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
8th - 14th November 2027
Speaker:
Dr Susan Steer
Price:
from A$7,840
(Based on two sharing)Testimonials
“Incredibly high standard. Such different styles. Interesting, moving and uplifting.
”
“What makes this tour so good is the quality of the lectures and the variety. The private visit to St Mark's is unforgettable.
”
“Thank you for all you do to provide such superior service. Really — a standout in the industry.
”
Related tours and events
Sign up to our e-newsletter
e-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale. By signing up you agree to our Privacy policy.
Or request your free brochure here
My Wishlist
Please note that all saved tours will be removed if you clear your cookies.
Sign up to our e-newsletter
E-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale.