What city can capture the imagination quite like Venice? If you’ve dreamed of gliding along serene canals in a gondola, wandering through the beauty of St. Mark’s Square, or savouring the flavours of Venetian cuisine at every turn, this short break is for you.
Step aboard the elegant MS Michelangelo and cruise through the calm waters of the Venetian Lagoon, taking in enchanting panoramas of colourful islands, historic waterfront towns, and hidden corners of the city that few get to see.
Optional excursions let you explore the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace, the vibrant streets of Burano, the artistic charm of Dorsoduro, the masterful glassworks of Murano, or the historic treasures of Padua.
Relax on deck with a drink in hand, enjoy the comfort of your cabin, and let the magic of Venice unfold around you — a short break that combines sightseeing, indulgence, and the unforgettable romance of the lagoon.
Provisional Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Venice
Depart the UK on our morning flights and arrive into Venice Marco Polo. Our scheduled flights arrive at similar times so you can wait for the rest of the group and then head to the water taxi terminal and arrive onto Venice Island in truly unique style. You can board the boat from 6pm so after dropping your luggage at the embarkation terminal you have the afternoon to start exploring this unique city. Settle into your cabin and meet the crew at a welcome drink. After dinner on board, head out again and enjoy your first evening discovering Venice’s magical atmosphere by night or just relax on board.
Day 2 – Venice & Lagoon Islands
Today you can choose from a selection of fantastic optional experiences (not included). Step inside the magnificent Doge’s Palace to explore its grand halls, famous artworks and hidden prison passages — or discover Venice’s artistic side with a guided walk through the charming Dorsoduro district.
After lunch, cruise across the Venetian Lagoon and visit beautiful Burano, famous for its rainbow-coloured houses and canals. You can also take an optional trip to Murano to watch master artisans create stunning glass pieces right before your eyes.
Day 3 – Venice
Why not join an optional guided food tour and taste your way through Venice like a local? Wander lively neighbourhoods, explore historic markets and sample authentic Venetian delicacies including traditional cicchetti and sweet treats from the lagoon islands.
The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy — perfect for sightseeing, relaxing in a café or getting wonderfully lost in Venice’s winding streets.
Day 4 – Chioggia & Padua
Wake up as the ship arrives in charming Chioggia, often called “Little Venice.” In the afternoon, you can join an optional excursion to elegant Padua, home to beautiful piazzas, historic architecture and the famous Basilica of Saint Anthony.
This evening, celebrate your trip with a festive gala night on board.
Day 5 – Departure
Enjoy breakfast before disembarking at 9am. Your return flight is not until the evening so there's still plenty of time to continue your Venetian Discovery before heading back to the airport.
Optional Excursions
Shore excursion 1 - Guided tour of Padua £65
Best known in Christianity as the Saint Antoine of Padua city, it is also famous for its art. Giotto (1267-1337, painter, sculptor and Italian architect) gifted the city of Padua some of his masterpieces, enriching the artistic scenery of the city. We'll start off with a guided tour of the city by coach before visiting the basilica which holds the vault of Saint Antoine. You'll be able to admire Donatello's bronze statue from the 15th century in the square before the basilica. This art piece was a major influence on sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. A guided tour on foot will take you to the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Frutti which holds a fresh produce market every day. You'll then see the Palazzo della Ragione (exteriors only) and the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock dating back to 1344. You'll enjoy some free time to discover this charming city on your own.
PLEASE NOTE
Good walking shoes are recommended.
Commentaries inside the Saint Antoine church are forbidden so they would be given before getting in.
Please dress appropriately to visit the Saint Antoine church.
Times are approximate.
The order of the visits can change.
Shore excursion 2 - Food tour of little-known neighbourhoods in Venice £68
Venetian cuisine is brimming with variety and delicacies. It incorporates the diverse backgrounds of the Venetian population to propose the best the sea and land have to offer in the region. We'll stop off at the Rialto Market in the San Polo District (closed on Sundays). Take your time browsing the stalls brimming with fruits, vegetables, and seafood before having a seat at a typical osteria on the edge of the Grand Canal to snack on delicious cicchetti, Italian tapas-like morsels and buranelli, butter biscuits in the shape of a ring or "S", flavoured with vanilla, rum or lemon, a speciality of the island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon. These tastings will delight your taste buds.
PLEASE NOTE
The order of the visits can change.
Times are approximate.
Shore excursion 3 - Guided walking tour of Venice and the Doge's Palace £81
Meet up with your guide on board. The tour will begin with a historical and artistic introduction to Venice with St Mark's Square, after which you will be able to admire the exteriors of St Mark's Cathedral. The Byzantine facades of the Cathedral (one of the most magnificent in the world) will immediately draw your attention. It was built in the 9th century to hold the body of St Mark, Patron Saint of Venice. Only a few pieces of the original structure remain and the present day Cathedral dates back from the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. The exterior, with its domes, pinnacles and wooden horses, contrasts with the shining golden mosaics of the interior. The tour continues with the Doge's Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Venice and seat of the Venetian government from the 9th century until the Republic fell in 1797. Although there are no longer any traces of the 9th century Byzantine structures, the Palace as we see it today, richly decorated both on the outside and inside, dates back from the 14th century and is considered by many to be the finest in the world. You will then be able to admire the paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese from the top of the famous Golden Staircase before walking through the Grand Council Chamber and out onto the balcony with its fantastic view over the city. You will cross the famous decorated Bridge of Sighs which leads to the prison. The bridge, known in the past as the symbol of the destiny that awaited the prisoners, has more romantic connotations nowadays. Return to the boat on foot.
PLEASE NOTE
The commentary on St Mark's cathedral will be given outside, as it is not authorised inside.
Passengers will be able to enter the Cathedral during their free time. Modest clothing required. A long queue can be expected.
Wear sturdy walking shoes: the tour is entirely on foot.
There are a lot of steps to climb at the Doge's Palace.
With your tickets for the Doges' Palace, you will have free entry to the Correr Museum and library.
The order of the visits can change.
Times are approximate.
Shore excursion 4 - Island of Murano £58
A short boat ride will take us to the island of Murano. The largest island in the lagoon, Murano is famous all over the world for its unique glass. We’ll visit a glassblowing studio to see how it’s done. Take advantage of some free time afterwards to explore the island on your own. Murano is also known for its lovely churches and several remarkable palazzetto.
PLEASE NOTE
The order of the visits can change.
Times are approximate.
Shore excursion 5 - Venice and the Dorsoduro district £78
You'll leave on foot from The Zattere or San Basilio Pier. The Dorsoduro District houses some of the most picturesque canals and palazzi and some of the city's great art showcases without the tourist traps that you might expect. The area includes the highest land areas of the city. Our walk will take you along The Zattere to the Spirito Santo and the customs house. The view is absolutely spectacular from this point in Venice, because you can scan the entire Saint Mark's Basin, San Giorgio Maggiore, and the Grand Canal. We'll continue on to admire the exterior of the Santa Maria della Salute church, built during a plague epidemic in the 17th century. The church's dome was an important addition to the Venice skyline and soon became emblematic of the city, inspiring many artists. Our next stop will be Campo Santa Margherita, a large city square in the sestiere of Dorsoduro. You'll be delighted by this heart-warming quarter which has remained humble yet sophisticated with the many palaces overlooking the Grand Canal. After our visit, we'll return to the ship.
PLEASE NOTE
The order of the visits can change.
Times are approximate.
NB - The tours of Venice and the Dorsoduro district and Guided walking tour of Venice and the Doge's Palace are at the same time so you can only choose one of these options.
Please note: Excursions are optional and not included, so you’re free to explore independently or simply relax and enjoy the cruise at your own pace. For safety reasons, the company and/or the captain of the ship are the only authorities who can modify the cruise itinerary.
MS Michelangelo — Cruise the Venetian Lagoon in Style
Step aboard the elegant MS Michelangelo, perfectly sized to navigate the canals of Venice and moor close to St. Mark’s Square. Built in 2000 and renovated in 2017, this stylish ship carries 152 passengers with a crew of 25, ensuring comfort and attentive service throughout your cruise.
Cabins
The ship offers a variety of comfortable cabins on the Main and Upper Decks, all with private bathrooms, satellite TV, safe, hairdryer, and panoramic windows:
Onboard Amenities
Whether relaxing on deck, enjoying a meal with a view, or socialising in the lounge, MS Michelangelo provides the perfect combination of elegance, comfort and scenic beauty — the ideal floating base for your Venetian adventure.
Provisional Flight Information
Included luggage allowance
10kg cabin luggage
It is possible to change your luggage allowance for your flights when booking, however please consider that you will need to self transfer your luggage between the airport & the boat.
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Passport validity
You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual.
This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.
Further information on the EES can be found on the following link - https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
Starting in end 2026 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
The latest FCO travel guidance for Italy
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
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