View Event2023-08-09T11:51:27+01:00

Venice Carnival

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Thursday 13 February 2020 - Monday 17 February 2020

(4 nights)

From £1,099.00

Listed by Spice Holidays

Overview

In February 2020 it’s Carnival time in Venice, Italy and how better to join in, experiencing this amazing atmosphere with Spice UK, staying in the heart of the city, this time in an atmospheric old monastery, still owned by the church dating back to 15^th Century right in the heart of the city!

The Monastery has been completely restored and is now equipped with the latest in hospitability, yet it still retains many of its original features. The hotel is surrounded in private tranquil gardens situated around cloisters of which date back to the 15^th & 18^th Century. You will have the opportunity for a private bespoke tour of the residence and the grounds and a welcome aperitivo in one of the private rooms.

So, what better after a full day in the city than to return to your private, yet tranquil retreat, just minutes away from the famous Academia Bridge, and as this hotel is situated directly on the Giudecca Canal, you can take a coffee in one of the many bars and watch the world sail by.

Includes

Flights, transfers, 4 Nights Bed & Breakfast, Return boat transfer from/to the airport to the hotel, 1 Aperitivo Welcome & Private Tour of the Monastery, 1 Fine Dining evening meal with local Wines/Prosecco on a Venetian Galleon sailing around the Venice Laguna, 1 Venetian Masked Party – 3 Course evening meal with wines, 1 Lunch in San Marks Square with local Wines/Water.

Extras

Insurance available from www.spiceuk.com. Single supp £160. Some drinks & some meals, optional excursions and personal extras.

Location & Itinerary

Carnival Venice - the city, the canals, burst into life with colour, live shows and a truly amazing indescribable atmosphere. So say goodbye to those winter blues, pack your Venetian Masks, and join in with one of the most historic carnivals ever!

What’s in store; -

This period has been chosen due to the many carnival festivals that will be taking place & your hosts will be at hand to advise.

“Festal dell Marie” - This festival is where twelve “Marias” will be introduced to the crowd’s s during a colourful parade walking through the narrow streets of Venice. This traditional festival dates back to ancient times, during the period of the Venetian Doge (sometimes translated as Duke), where, every year twelve humble Venetian girls paraded the Doge! The Doge in return then offered magnificent jewels as a bridal dowry. Nowadays, it’s all about the opportunity to admire the traditional Venetian period costumes, and you can join in the fun and street atmosphere. www.festadellemarie.com

“Flight of the Angel” - this is a traditional event that goes back to the Serenissima period where an unknown guest of Venice use to fly along a rope from San Marco bell tower to the middle of the square, offering homage to the Doge. This time many centuries later it will for sure be fun and we will be in the heart of the city to see this event. The winner of the 2020 Festa delle Marie” (Marie contest), will be announced!

During the heart of the carnival this most magical of cities fills with a mass of masked party-goers , posing, dancing ,singing and it’s all quite surreal, it’s a re-invention of one of the most historical traditions dating back to the 1700’s.

As always with our partners at Wings, it’s going to be an adventure and this experience is about joining in, having lots of fun and laughs along the way! Visiting Venice at this time as you would expect, the locals are crazy happy, so expect it to be buzzing, alive and full of life, it’s show time and a level of spontaneity is required - as each street and canal leads to something new.

The Venetian Galleon -

This adventure includes a candlelit dinner in the enchanting atmosphere of a 17^th century Venetian Galleon/ to include a bespoke fine dining menu while navigating among the islands of the Venetian lagoon. Splendid views of Saint Marco’s square and more.

· 5 courses with wines which is prepared with seasonal products by the Chef on board.

· Panoramic navigation between the islands of: Venice, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant 'Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, San Giorgio.

· Aperitif with Prosecco di Valdobbiadene on arrival

· White / red wine as per the menu

· Coffee

Dietary options are available

Please note that your hosts will be at hand during this experience and can advise and organise many optional tours, of which can be the famous Casino di Veneza. (Free of charge), or the famous markets of Venice, and many more activities can be proposed.

Venice at night acquires an aura of magic and mystery, secret canals, bridges, buildings glowing with hanging chandeliers, street lanterns, or of course you are free to take the local public transport and browse up and down the Grand Canal.

Whilst Andrea at WingsItaly is Venetian, he is expecting this period to be even more Italian than normal, buzzing with excitement and one of the best parts of this carnival is, you really don’t know what’s coming next! Therefore inorder to fully enjoy this experience your hosts kindly ask that you join in with the Venetian Carnival spirit, Venetian Masks, Capes and of course any item of traditional Venetian carnival costume will be very much appreciated, it’s not mandatory though, it’s just for fun!

Is this for me?

Claire and Andrea's holidays are very popular with people who like to discover new countries but prefer to do so at a relaxed pace and with plenty of time dedicated to good food, wine and conviviality in between. There is a fair degree of flexibility and spontaneity rather than a rigid daily schedule. If you are looking for a packed programme of heavyweight cultural discoveries, you might find this approach a little too laid back for you.

Travel & Stay

The Monastery /hotel has been inspected by WingsItaly and they confirm that whilst monastic in style the bedrooms have all been restored. There are a selection of twins and singles rooms, and have a selection of views onto the private internal gardens or cloisters, or canal. (Please note room allocation is strictly managed by the residence and room allocation is on arrival).

Air conditioning, private ensuite with shower, safe, hairdryer, telephone and WI-FI access.

The residence, inside and in the open space areas is also covered by the local Wi-Fi connection.

Breakfast is continental buffet style, which is served in the wide breakfast room on the ground floor.

History about the Monastery -

Commenced in 1423 as a Gesuati's monastery, and at the end of the 15^th century the construction of the Church of "St. Mary of the Visitation” began, (situated next door).

1669, the monastery was purchased by the Dominican Fathers, who erected a new church of "Santa Maria del Rosario" and began the extension of the monastery.

1810 Napoleon issued a decree for the dissolution of the religious order and confiscated and closed the residence.

1815 - 1850 the building was then managed by the Municipality of Venice as an orphanage.

1851 - 1866, was entrusted to the Somaschi Fathers from San Girolamo.

4th August 1923 Don Orione organisation purchased the residence (of which many Spicers have stayed at another Don Orione residence Villa Lomellini at Oltre Po Pavese ), so whilst today the residence is still owned by the Roman Catholic Church it has opened its doors for the first time for Spice UK and all of its members to join in with the Venice Carnival Spirit .

A short video of the accommodation - https://www.donorione-venezia.it/home-en

Getting There

Provisional flight information

13/02/2020 London Gatwick to Venice Dep: 0930 Arr: 1235

17/02/2020 Venice to London Gatwick Dep: 1850 Arr: 2000

13/02/2020 Luton to Venice Dep: 1730 Arr: 2335

17/02/2020 Venice to Luton Dep: 1605 Arr: 1725

13/02/2020 Manchester to Venice Dep: 1110 Arr: 1435

17/02/2020 Venice to Manchester Dep: 1625 Arr: 1750

13/02/2020 Bristol to Venice Dep: 1325 Arr: 1635

17/02/2020 Venice to Bristol Dep: 1130 Arr: 1250

13/02/2020 Edinburgh to Venice Dep: 1410 Arr: 1740