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ITINERARY
DAY 1. Arrival in 3* ( or 4* or 5* ) hotel Casanova, a fascinating man with manytalents, studied law, briefly entered the Holy Order, and became by turns soldier, actor, professional violin musician, secretary,traveller, gambler, freemason, founder and manager of France’s lottery, libriarian, spy, translater of Homer’s Iliad, accomplished writer, precursor of science-fiction novels and author of a 12 volume autobiography! Visit SAN SAMUEL CHURCH – where Casanova was baptized & delivered his first sermon as a newly ordained priest, reportedly while drunk on wine. Plaque in Calle Malipiero mentions his name Afternoon tour of Doge’s Palace to discover the hidden passages and the administrative offices of the men who ran the Venice of Medieval and Renaissance times.You’ll even visit the city prison and the very cell from which notorious lover Giacomo Casanova made his escape in 1775. The Torture Room, which joins directly to the prison. From here, the Piombi (literally ‘the leads’). This area gets its name as it is sited under the lead roof of the palace. There were half a dozen cells here (stalls really) separated by wood partitions: it doesn’t sound too luxurious, but Casanova for one attested that the Piombi were far preferable to thePozzi (‘the wells’): the dreaded cells in the basement of the Palazzo Ducale. DINNER at " CANTINA DO SPADE" - once the bordello where Casanova’s best known adventures took place in the red-light district
DAY 2 Visit of Ca’ Rezzonico - Museum of 18th century Venetiancivilization Ca’ Rezzonico Palace which successfully retains the feel of an old Venetian Palazzo was designed by Baldassare Longhena in the 17th century, and completed nearly 100 years later and became the last home of English poet Robert Browning (1812-89). Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton danced in the baroque ballroom in the1960s. Today Ca' Rezzonico is the home of the Museum of Venice in the 1700s. Its main floor is packed with period furniture and tapestries in gilded salons and the upper floors contain hundreds of paintings, most from Venetian schools of artists.Special attention to the painting by Francesco GUARDI, ILRIDOTTO, depicts a gambling club-casinò where everyone wore masks to conceal their identity. Once located on Calle Vallaresso, now part of the Hotel Monaco e Gran Canal.Casanova was quite the gambler and ever so often participated in illegitimate dealings! Painting by Giovanni Antonio GUARDI, IL PARLATORIO delle MONACHE, depicts a talking session between nuns and "others". Casanova’s most torrid love affaire was with a nun, "Madame Murano" from the Island of Murano. Afternoon tour of the Island of Murano and also the Island of San Giorgio where Casanova’s "episode" related to the "ZANNI" took place.
DAY 3. Visit the mask-making craftsmen’s workshop/bottega .Venice’s late winter festival CARNIVAL was and still is, characterized by lavish costumes, masks and disguises in Casanova’s era, anonymity permitted different classes, cultures, races and sexes to mix in ways otherwise unthinkable in the politically conservative city.Visit the workshop/bottega of a gondola maker. During the17th century, the gondola saw its greatest popularity, as the Venetian Republic was just coming out of its period of greatest power. The number of gondolas that existed during this time is estimated to be around 10,000, compared to the less than 500 which are in use today. Early afternoon visit to Ca' Mocenigo - the museum of Venetian Costume which is a charming noble dwelling, displaying a unique collection of rich Venetian clothes and accessories, old fabrics and original furnishing, mirrors, velvets, curtains, wall stuccoes.Free time for additional sightseeing and shopping
DAY 4. Departure
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