Elevate Your Venice Cruise Experience with these Very Special Excursions

If your travel itinerary includes Venice, you’ve probably already created a checklist of standard touristy things that you want to do.

See the Rialto Bridge.
Check out the sights around Saint Mark’s Square.
Eat gelato.
Go on a gondola ride.
Visit Murano so that you can learn how master craftsmen create stunning Venetian glass.

But what if you’re a traveler who loves unique adventures — those journeys that take you off the well trod path? Well, you’re in luck.

Our partner cruise lines understand that many of their passengers are like you, searching for new and unique experiences. Here are just a few of the new excursions that have been designed to elevate your experience while in the City of Bridges.

Seabourn

Love that Lamborghini

Car fanatics rejoice! Even though Venice is automobile-free, you can still get your car fix by booking the Love the Lamborghini excursion. The Automobili Lamborghini firm is located just one and half hours away from your Venice stop in the small village of Sant’Agata Bolognese. During this excursion, you will get a chance to visit the Lamborghini Museum and learn the complete history of this amazing sports car. You’ll also get a chance to see various prototypes and production models and to visit the Lamborghini factory. Auto buffs won’t want to miss this up-close-and-personal look at one of the most desired cars in the world.

Silversea

The Mazzorbo Island Vineyard

While Murano may, arguably, be the best known of Venice’s outlying islands, there are dozens of others scattered throughout the lagoon. Conde Nast Traveler recently named two of these little islets, Mazzorbo and Sant’Erasmo, as the best islands of Venice for food.

Mazzorbo is also the site of the Venissa Estate, a vineyard that is encircled by medieval walls and that produces a wine, Dorona, that is as unique as the environment that its grapes are grown in. Fortunately for Silversea passengers, this cruise line offers an excursion to the Venissa Estate, which includes a guided tour of the vineyard. Of course, no visit to a vineyard is complete without a little sip of the local vintage, so your tour will also include wine tasting accompanied by Venetian tapas. And because Mazzorbo is connected to another island, Burano, by a bridge, you can also explore this islet famous for its beautiful, handmade lace.

Crystal Cruise Line

Exclusive Cocktail Party at Peggy Guggenheim’s Collection

According to Cruise Critic, Crystal Cruise Line has developed strong relationships with many of its tour providers, which means that they are able to offer some truly exceptional excursions. This cocktail party, for example, is held in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an unfinished 18th century Grand Canal palace that was once Peggy Guggenheim’s home and is now a modern art museum. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is, in fact, considered by art aficionados as one of the most important museums in Italy for 20th century American and European art. Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, Salvador Dali and Andrew Pollock are just a few of the many artists whose works appear in this museum.

This special and very exclusive event is a can’t-miss excursion for anyone who loves fine art.

Holland America Line

An Evening on the Grand Canal

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be in the company of royalty while enjoying a bite to eat in a palace? Well, wonder no more. On Holland America’s two-night Evening on the Grand Canal experience, you’ll get to do just that.

Your evening will start with a motor boat ride to a 16th century palace on the Grand Canal. Here, you’ll spend an evening being entertained by a countess or a member of her noble family while dining on appetizers and enjoying a few drinks. This excursion is part of Holland America’s Signature Experiences, which the cruise line describes as “specially curated evenings.” These experiences are included in suite bookings. Those in lower category staterooms can purchase this excursion if there is availability.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Venetian Master Cooking Class & Market

If you are a traveler who believes that it’s important to use all five of your senses to get to know a destination, then the Venetian Master Cooking Class and Market excursion would be the perfect addition to your Venice itinerary. During this culinary expedition, your onboard Culinary Arts Kitchen chef will guide you through the sights, scents and sounds of the old Rialto Market. You’ll then be taken to the private villa of a Venetian master chef so you can study her in action. Don’t worry. You will also get to taste the delightful Venetian dishes that she has created from locally sourced ingredients. You’ll then end your excursion with a stop at a gelato shop. Sound amazing? Of course. But it gets even better. Because this is a Regent Seven Seas adventure, there is no addition cost as this cruise line does not charge extra for its excursions.