‘I have, many and many a time, thought since of this strange dream upon the water: half-wondering if it lie there yet, and if its name be Venice.’
– Charles Dickens after his visit of 1844.

VENICE, the ‘strange dream upon the water”, was founded by refugees, escaping from the barbarians in the 5th century. Gradually they established a city on numerous small islands in the Lagoon, with canals as arteries and the sea as defence. The relics of St. Mark were smuggled to Venice in the 9th century, a prestigious shrine which attracted pilgrims and trade. Because of her geographical position, Venice became the commercial link between East and West and her wealth grew. Lucrative monopolies in spices and glass-blowing added to her power and magnificence. Although initially dominated by Byzantium the city soon became a free republic under its elected Doge, the last of whom was deposed by Napoleon in 1797.

Water makes Venice unique. No visitor should miss arriving by water and the moment the distant campanili of the city appear from across the Lagoon. For Venice itself is a work of art. This ART TOUR takes in the main sites and churches but also lesser known masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, and private palazzi where the tourist cannot go. We shall be staying in one such jewel. BA flight from Heathrow to Venice and thence water-taxi to our piano nobile. The virtue of a guided tour to Venice is that you will not waste time or money getting lost and being fleeced in tourist traps.