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Venice Revisited - From prison to palazzo: off the beaten track in historic Venice
6
days
from
A$7,370
Book today with a deposit of
A$1,106
6th - 11th November 2026, 2nd - 7th March 2027
Tour highlights
- A deeper exploration of Venice for the seasoned traveller; see treasures which are lesser-known, rarely accessible or simply off the beaten track.
- Access to many is by special arrangement; some are still in private hands. Also an after-hours visit to the Basilica di San Marco.
- Includes visits to the islands of Murano, San Lazzaro degli Armeni and Lazzaretto Nuovo.
This is a tour for those who are familiar with the main buildings and museums of Venice and who now want to explore some of the lesser-known places. ‘Lesser-known’ does not imply less beautiful or interesting; the riches of Venice are so profuse that few visitors, even the most regular, have seen all that is worth seeing. This tour is accompanied by a lecturer who as well as specialising in Venice, has lived in the city for decades, knows it exhaustively, and is deeply involved in its preservation and conservation.
A glance at the itinerary will show that some of the places are by no means obscure, merely a little off the beaten track or difficult to get into; others are indeed alluringly arcane. These little-visited sites hold remarkable artworks and histories, to be enjoyed in extraordinary tranquillity compared to the jostling crowds of St Mark’s square. They are complemented by boat journeys to the quieter islands of the lagoon, where the seclusion of their past is still evident today.
Even when visiting more familiar landmarks, this tour is designed to reveal hidden features and delve further into the history and context of these buildings. At the Palazzo Ducale, an extensive tour offers insights into the many purposes of this great palace, from rooms where the most delicate and secretive administrative work at the heart of the Venetian Empire was carried out, to the chambers where it inflicted cruel punishments on the prisoners held there. On the island of San Giorgio, our focus extends beyond the famous church facade to explore the surrounding monastic buildings and the impressive cultural centre.
One of the principal ways this tour permits this deeper exploration of La Serenissima is through several visits not available to the public. Some are private institutions, or we visit places outside of their usual opening hours; these visits are accessible only by special arrangement. The Basilica of San Marco is illuminated privately for our group after the daytime crowds have departed, and the group gains entry to the vast state repositories holding centuries of historical records. This carefully curated itinerary offers an unusual perspective on the city, permitting the discerning visitor to scratch the surface of what Venice can reveal in its winding streets and canals.
Itinerary
Fly at c. 7.45am from London Heathrow to Venice (British Airways). Cross the lagoon by motoscafo (water-taxi); luggage is transported separately by porters. Visit the Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni (Carpaccio’s stories of saints).
The morning walk looks at the identity and social make-up of the Castello sestiere. See Sta. Maria della Pietà, one of the orphanages renowned as centres of musical excellence, where Vivaldi was director of music. Outstanding Renaissance paintings are seen in San Giovanni in Bragora (Cima da Conegliano’s Baptism). In the afternoon head off the beaten track for a guided tour of the Ghetto and its synagogues
Avoid the busiest of the daily crowds by heading early to the supremely beautiful Palazzo Ducale; where we visit areas only seen by special arrangement, and prison cells rub shoulders with the Doge’s apartments. In the afternoon visit the Fondazione Querini Stampaglia, and an art restoration laboratory. After-hours visit to the Basilica di San Marco where the mosaic-encrusted interior is illuminated exclusively for your benefit.
Visit the great Franciscan church of Sta. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari with outstanding artworks including Titian’s Assumption. The Venetian State Archives are the repository of a millennium of history, stored on some 60km of shelving (special arrangement). See also the Scuola Grande dei Carmini one of Venice’s confraternities with paintings by Tiepolo. There is some free time in the afternoon.
Head in the direction of the Lido by motoscafo to visit San Lazzaro, the Armenian monastery island and temporary residence of Lord Byron. Continue to Lazzaretto Nuovo, originally a Benedictine monastery which became a quarantine station for maritime travellers. Cross again to the glass-making island of Murano by private motoscafo to see SS. Maria e Donato, with 12th-century mosaics and pavement, and S. Pietro Martire, with paintings by Bellini and Tintoretto.
Cross the bacino to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to see the church, cloisters and conventual buildings of the Benedictine monastery. Here is the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, an impressive cultural centre. Travel by motoscafo to Venice airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 7.15pm.
For participants joining Monteverdi in Venice: transfer to your festival hotel (if different) on 11 November. The festival begins with welcome drinks and dinner in your festival hotel on the evening of 12 November.
Fly at c. 10.15am from London Heathrow to Venice (British Airways). Cross the lagoon by motoscafo (water-taxi); luggage is transported separately by porters.
The morning starts with the Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni, which houses Carpaccio’s stories of saints cycle. In the afternoon head off the beaten track for a guided tour of the Ghetto and its synagogues.
Avoid the busiest of the daily crowds by heading early to the supremely beautiful Palazzo Ducale; where we visit areas only seen by special arrangement, and prison cells rub shoulders with the Doge’s apartments. The afternoon walk looks at the identity and social make-up of the Castello sestiere. See Sta. Maria della Pietà, one of the orphanages renowned as centres of musical excellence, where Vivaldi was director of music. Outstanding Renaissance paintings are seen in San Giovanni in Bragora (Cima da Conegliano’s Baptism). After-hours visit to the Basilica di San Marco where the mosaic-encrusted interior is illuminated exclusively for your benefit.
Visit the great Franciscan church of Sta. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari with outstanding artworks including Titian’s Assumption. The Venetian State Archives are the repository of a millennium of history, stored on some 60km of shelving (special arrangement). See also the Scuola Grande dei Carmini one of Venice’s confraternities with paintings by Tiepolo.
The day is spent exploring the communities of the Venetian lagoon. First head to the island of the Lazzaretto Nuovo, originally a Benedictine monastery which became a quarantine station for maritime travellers. Continue to the island of San Francesco del Deserto, home of a Franciscan Monastery founded in 1230, before a chance to see nearby Burano where we break for an independent lunch. Finally, head back in the direction of Venice to visit San Lazzaro, the Armenian monastery island and temporary residence of Lord Byron.
Cross the bacino to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to see the church, cloisters and conventual buildings of the Benedictine monastery. Here is the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, an impressive cultural centre. Travel by motoscafo to Venice airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 6.30pm.
The tour is dependent on the kindness of many individuals and organisations, some of whom are reluctant to make arrangements far in advance, so the order of visits outlined above may change and there may be substitutions for some places mentioned.
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
2026: Two sharing: A$7,900 or A$7,370 without flights. Single occupancy: A$9,220 or A$8,960 without flights.
2027: Two sharing: A$8,190 or A$7,700 without flights. Single occupancy: A$9,120 or A$8,630 without flights.
Travel between Venice Airport and the hotel by private water-taxi; a vaporetto pass for the duration of the tour; luggage porterage between the airport and the hotel; accommodation as described below; breakfasts and three dinners with wine, water and coffee; all admissions; all tips for waiters, porters, guides; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager; a donation to the Venice in Peril Fund.
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. Your donation (included in the price of the tour) will go directly to supporting the restoration of Carlo Scarpa’s watergate at the Querini Stampalia Foundation.
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.
Monteverdi in Venice, 12–17 November 2026
If combining this tour with Monteverdi in Venice, we will arrange a transfer to your festival hotel (if different) on 11 November. We will assume that you require festival accommodation on 11 November (‘arriving a day early’); your festival booking will include this cost. Flights are charged as part of your pre-festival tour booking, so you take the ‘no flights’ price for the festival.
Dates & prices
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2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
6th - 11th November 2026
Speaker:
Dr Susan Steer
Price:
from A$7,370
(Based on two sharing)
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2027
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
2nd - 7th March 2027
Speaker:
Dr Susan Steer
Price:
from A$7,700
(Based on two sharing)Combine with
We are happy to advise on combining this itinerary with another tour or event. Please contact us for information about linking accommodation and transport.
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