Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Italy to join in on the fun of the annual Carnival in Venice. First mentioned in history around the 12th century, this, the most famous of Venetian festivals, celebrates the arrival of spring and the end of the Lenten season. Elaborate costumes and masks dress the city in a rainbow of color and pageantry during the last days of winter.
Your trip is not an event for spectators, but for those that truly want to experience this most famous of festivals with full Venetian costumes and masks, a gondola ride thru the canals of Venice in costume, and participation in special events. Party the night away with masqueraders from around the world at one of the biggest parties in the world!
Before your visit to Venice, you will start your trip in Rome visiting some of the world’s most famous sites including the Coliseum, the Vatican and more. Then it is on to Venice to experience Carnival, but also some of the area’s most beautiful and interesting sites including the historical center of Venica, Murano, Burano and Torcello, famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon, and the historical Brentan Villas outside of Venice.
Your package includes –
v private transfer from Rome International Airport to your hotel
v 3 nights in a 4 star superior hotel in Rome
v Private tour with an English speaking guide of the historical area of the Forum and the Capitolini Museum
 From your hotel you will arrive to the The Roman Forum where your private English-speaking licensed tour guide will bring the relics of the ancient Roman forum, dating back to 6th century BC, to life as you trai
pse through the ruins of numerous temples, basilicas, palaces, arches and shops. The first Roman civilization began here, in turn becoming the administrative and commercial center of ancient Rome
From the Roman Forum you will continue to the Capitoline Museum beginning at Trajan's Column, where your guide will place the Capitoline in context with the modern Victor Emmanuel II Monument (Il Vittoriano), a major monument commemorating the Italian Revolution and unification.
From the Vittoriano, you will walk up Michelangelo's famous Renaissance staircase to Piazza Campidoglio atop the Capitoline Hill, where the ancient bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius awaits you. One of the seven hills of Rome, the Capitoline was the first capitol of the Roman world. It was from this hill that we derive the word "capitol".
You will then visit the Capitoline Museums, the oldest public museum collection in the world. Founded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471, it houses famous pieces of art such as the Dying Gaul, Capitoline Venus, the colossal bronze sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, the Capitoline She-Wolf, Bernini's Medusa, and the colossal statue remains of Constantine.
Enjoy one of the best views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium underneath the Capitoline Museums before re-emerging in Michelangelo's Piazza Campidoglio.
v Private transfer from your hotel to the Vatican
v Private tour with an English-speaking guide of the Vatican Musuem and St. Peter’s Basilica with immediate entrance (no lines)
This private tour starts with the Vatican Museum which houses the wealthiest privately-owned collection of masterpieces, showcased in rooms with walls decorated by Raffaello. The real masterpiece, however, is next door: Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel, which unexpectedly revolutionized the world's idea of art. The chapel is still shaping the future of the Papacy: this is where the cardinals lock themselves in to elect a new Pope after the former one has passed away. NOTE: A visit to the Egyptian rooms, complete with a couple of mummies, may be of interest to the younger visitors. For art lover's Raphael's room may be added as well.
Your private Vatican tour ends with St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. The magnificent and breathtaking complex spans back to 4th century BC, when it was commissioned by Emperor Constantine, though the new cathedral took over 100 years and all of Italy’s greatest artists to build it. The basilica’s vast collection of art includes masterpieces by Bernini, Baldacchino and Michelangelo.
v Private transfer from your hotel to the train station
v First class Eurostar train service from Rome to Venice
v Private transfer with assistance by water taxi upon arrival in Venice to your hotel
v 4 nights in a 4 star superior hotel in Venice
v Private tour with English-speaking guide of the historical center of Venice
On this private guided tour of Venice, you will see some of the downtown most important sights. You will start your Venice tour in at St. Mark's Square, the political and religious center of the Republic of Venice. You will see many of its historical and artistic treasures dating from antiquity: the Basilica with its precious mosaics; the external façade of the Ducal Palace with its well-known Bridge of Sighs; the Procuratie palaces and the Napoleonic Wing; and the Clock Tower, the Campanile and the Marciana National Library and the Rialto area.
v Special costume and mask rental for two days in Venice
v Carnival festivities and participation as an insider in events and activities with the assistance of an English speaking Venetian including opening ceremonies, a special dinner on a Venetian boat**, party at Hard Rock Café with DJ, Venetian party at Canareggio, aquatic parade thru the Grand Canal, parade of the Venetian masks, and exclusive events at local restaurants and cafes**
v Gondola tour in costume
This enchanting gondola tour will make you glide through centuries of history, allowing yourself to be captivated by the glamour and elegance of the Venetian Palazzi while participating in the fun of Carnival. The perfect way to appreciate the beauty, charm and color of this unique city built on water, you will be enthralled by what surrounds you another others will be guess.
Relax and enjoy the romantic tranquility of the Serenissima, unlock the secrets of Venice and her intriguing labyrinth of canals. Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years. Once upon a time the most noble and wealthy of families would have travelled around by gondola - the slightly eccentric Peggy Guggenheim was the last person to have her own private gondola in the 1960's.
v Private transportation and tour with an English speaking guide to visit the fabulous Brenta Villas outside of Venice
The spread of the aristocratic villas along the course of the Brenta from Malcontenta to Stra’ was the phenomenon that was a sign of the power of Venice for a couple of centuries between 1550 and 1700. The extraordinary flourishing of summer residences that noble families of Venice built around the 16th and 19th century, were in perfect harmony with nature, in the countryside near Venice. There are indeed many in this area, possibly thanks to the presence of the main architect of this villas, Andrea Palladio, from Padua (1508-1580), who designed them with the classical and noble forms destined to fascinate the whole world.Along the Brenta Canal you can admire more than fifty villas, visiting two of the most important.
v Private boat tour with an English speaking guide of the beautiful islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello
By private boat, we will take you across the lagoon to the well know Island of Murano. Famous for its glass making since the 10th century, we visit one of Murano’s quality glass works. Whilst watching one of the glass masters blowing the glass in the furnace of the glass works, your local guide will explain to you the history and the process of the glass making throughout the years. After this you will have time to visit their elegant show rooms.
Then by private water taxi crossing the northern part of the Lagoon we arrive at the colourful Island of Burano, famous for its brightly coloured houses, fishing industry and also its lace making, you will have time to walk around this elegant little Island and also visiting its shops, your guide will point out to you one of the specialized shops where it is possible to see one of the Local ladies working on the Burano Lace, she will show you the different stitches involved in making these wonderful works of art.
We then leave the Island of Burano and take a short boat ride to the Island of Torcello. Known as the “Mother of Venice”. You have chance to Visit the Basilica, which is one of the oldest in the Lagoon and holds some of the most beautiful mosaics in the world, or maybe visit the museum. If not you can just spend your time walking around this enchanting and very historical island.
Then on your return to Venice you may wish to continue exploring the rest of the city with a walking tour or be dropped back at your hotel.
v Private transfer to the Venice International Airport for your return flight home
v Daily buffet breakfast
v Memories of an event that very few get to experience as only a Venetian can!
Trip available only at Homestretch Gala Silent Auction or for the final auction bid after the auction. All arrangements subject to availability. Go to www.homestretchgala.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
Minimum bid person (based on double occupancy and 4 person minimum): $4800/person.
* Dates of travel can be flexible around 22-27 February 2011
**Tips, meals not listed in the itinerary including boat dinner, refreshments at exclusive carnival events at restaurants/cafes, international air and items of a personal nature not included.
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