BENVENUTI A VENEZIA

Welcome to Venice. Upon arrival at Venice International Airport, you’ll transfer and check into the elegant Sina Centurion Palace, a prestigious 5-star hotel in Venice’s Dorsoduro overlooking the Grand Canal.

Welcome cocktail on the hotel terrace

Enjoy an apero and get to know your fellow travelers while watching the boats go by on the canal.

Orientation tasting: Introduction to the wines of the Veneto

Kick off our experience with an in-depth introduction to some of the world’s greatest white wines. With local expert John Voigtmann as our guide, we’ll explore the region’s history and unique terroir.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant

Our evening unfolds at the elegant restaurant of the hotel. In this opulent yet intimate setting, we’ll enjoy a beautifully crafted dinner that celebrates Venetian flavors with a contemporary touch. With candlelight reflecting off gilded ceilings and gondolas drifting by outside, it’s a dining experience that captures the romance and grandeur of Venice at its finest.

ISLAND EXPLORATION

Meet our private boat for the day

Very few visitors to Venice get out of the bustle of the canals to explore a big part of what makes it magical: the islands. Today, with the help of a local guide on a luxury boat, we will do just that.

Tasting at cult winery Orto di Venezia on Sant’Erasmo

Tucked away on the serene island of Sant’Erasmo lies a hidden gem of the wine world. This tiny, cult-status vineyard produces a singular white wine from organically farmed native grapes, capturing the salty breezes and mineral-rich soils of the lagoon. With a fiercely limited production and a devotion to terroir, this is Venice as you’ve never tasted it – pure, expressive, and utterly unique.

Lunch at Antiche Campane

In a quiet corner near Venice’s vibrant heart sits this beloved local treasure where tradition and warmth shine through every dish. Known for its refined take on classic Venetian cuisine, the restaurant offers a seasonal menu rich in lagoon seafood, handmade pastas, and time-honored flavors – with a thoughtful wine list to match.

Grand Canal boat cruise

We’ll enjoy an on-board tasting of very special Veneto wines as we cruise through the Grand Canal on our luxury boat. The Vines team will offer insights – into both the unique architecture and culture of this region and its winemaking.

Rest and relaxation

Rejuvenate in the hotel spa, relax on the terrace or stroll around the neighborhood.

Dinner at Alle Testiere

This jewel of Venetian dining is intimate, elegant, and endlessly charming. With just a handful of tables and a daily menu shaped by the morning’s catch, this tiny seafood-focused trattoria is beloved by locals and in-the-know travelers alike. And tonight we will take it over completely, which promises to be one of the trip’s most memorable experiences.

GLASS BLOWING AND ARSENALE

Private tour of NasonMoretti glassmaker on Murano island

Step into the mesmerizing world of Venetian craftsmanship with a private tour of NasonMoretti, the last family-owned glassmaker on the island of Murano. Since 1923, this legendary atelier has been handcrafting beautiful blown glass – renowned for its bold colors and modern design. Go behind the scenes to witness master artisans at work, shaping molten glass into timeless works of art, and discover the secrets of a tradition passed down through generations.

Lunch at Osteria al Squero

No trip to Venice would be complete without at least one stop for cicchetti, the Venetians’ version of a tapa, and locals know just where to get theirs. Across from one of Venice’s last working gondola yards along a hidden canal, this beloved spot offers freshly made cicchetti and a well-curated list of wines by the glass. This cozy spot invites you to eat like a local, perched on the canal’s edge with a spritz in hand.

Guided tour of the Biennale Arsenale

Set within the vast, atmospheric spaces of Venice’s historic Arsenale, the Biennale exhibition unfolds like a journey through the cutting edge of contemporary art. Installations, films, performances, and immersive works fill the spaces, pushing boundaries and sparking dialogue. This is where the global art world gathers.

Rest and relaxation

Rejuvenate in the hotel spa, relax on the terrace or stroll around the neighborhood.

Dinner at Osteria Bancogiro in the Rialto market

Tonight we’ll go inside the bustling Rialto Market to find this osteria offering a front-row seat to the rhythm of Venetian life. Set beneath ancient stone arches with tables spilling onto a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, it’s the perfect place to linger over seasonal plates that blend tradition with creativity. Think silky crudo, rich risottos, and just-pulled market produce – served with a view, and paired with well chosen wines from their locally focused list.

BIENNALE

Guided tour of the Biennale Jardini

At the Biennale, each country has a “garden”, featuring the artist who was chosen to represent it that year. We will focus on three of these countries, spending time walking through and discussing with the artist or curator of that space. This is a bucket list experience for those passionate about art.

Lunch at the on-site restaurant

Tucked inside the Giardini grounds, the Biennale’s on-site restaurant offers a stylish pause between pavilions. With a sleek, modern design and a menu that highlights fresh, seasonal Italian ingredients, it’s a gathering place for artists, curators, and visitors to recharge and mingle. We’ll sit at a sun-dappled table for lunch, while we soak in the scene.

Optional Art Collector tour or visit to a wine shop

If you still haven’t had your fill of art, come with us to visit a private collection at the home of a Venezian collector. You can hear about this owner’s personal journey in the world of art collection while viewing each unique piece. Or if you’re still seeking vinous inspiration, come with us to a local secret wine shop, where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly while you peruse the store’s expertly curated selection.

Rest and relaxation

Rejuvenate in the hotel spa, relax on the terrace or stroll around the neighborhood.

Farewell dinner at a local trattoria

For your final evening in this magical city, enjoy a relaxed, heartfelt dinner at a classic trattoria along a quiet canal. Candlelight flickers, plates of handmade pasta and simply grilled seafood arrive with no fuss – just the honest, bold flavors of Venetian home cooking. With a glass of local wine and the sound of water lapping nearby, it’s a fitting farewell to the magic of this city.

ARRIVADERCI!

Departures, or continue on for further exploration.