Gondolas & Gastronomy Venice

Venice & Istria: 7 Nights – 8 Days

Hotel Options:
3 Nights – Venice, Italy, Hotel Bauer Il Palazzo
4 Nights – Istria, Croatia, Hotel Monte Mulini

This itinerary allows you to explore two of Catalonia’s most exciting provinces. From the bright lights of Barcelona to the beautiful and historic Girona, you will discover the delights of this region, from world renowned restaurants to iconic art work.

Description

Discover the wonders of Italy’s floating city before crossing the sea to Croatia. Your holiday begins at the wonderfully luxurious Bauer Il Palazzo hotel set on Venice’s Grand Canal and just a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square). By day you can explore the cobbled streets, finding your way to the market by the Rialto Bridge, indulge yourself in the diverse culture or hop on a Gondola and glide down the waterways to wherever takes your fancy. For a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city and out across the bay take the lift to the top of the Campanile. By night you can treat yourself in some of the designer shops before having dinner somewhere deliciously Italian.

Across the Adriatic Sea, you will come to Monte Mulini, a beautiful hotel nestled among pine trees and overlooking the azure waters. The hotel is set in a quiet bay on the edge of a National Park so you can take in the beautiful views from your sun bed whilst getting lost in a good book. For a great day out you can hire a little boat and head off with a picnic to discover Istria’s hidden beaches. In the evenings, enjoy a short stroll along the waterfront to the medieval harbour town of Rovinj, with its Roman ruins, craft markets and Venetian-style gastronomy.

When to travel
Venice is a city that can be enjoyed at all times of the year. The months from Easter to October are the main tourist season when hotels can be difficult to come by at short notice. The other two really popular spells are during the Carnival in February (the 10 days up to Shrove Tuesday) and the weeks on each side of Christmas. Summer (mid July to the end of August) isn’t necessarily the best time to go to Venice. Apart from the hordes of tourists, the air can be humid and unpleasant. The climate will often result in clouds of mosquitoes and other insects invading the lagoon, and the smell emanating from the water can be very unpleasant. Italians holiday in August, so many shops and restaurants close during this time.
The warmest months of the year in Croatia are July and August, during which time the daytime high temperatures will hover around the low 30°C’s. The coldest months of the year on average are January and February, during which time the daytime highs will be around 12°C. The rainiest months of the year are generally November and December, with the summer months being fairly dry