Itinerary

This itinerary will change slightly as we settle on dates and may be subject to change in Italy as a result of weather, local festivals, strikes, and so forth. Once afternoon assignments are complete, students may have the rest of the day free. However, every evening the entire class is required to regroup at a pre-arranged time and place to debrief and discuss; sometimes this will occur before dinner and sometimes over a group dinner.  Nights are free, but be warned that we’ll be up early the next day! Itinerary-related FAQ at bottom of page.

Travel Itinerary: (tentative)

Day 1: MONDAY, May 16
Arrive in the morning and settle into Palazzo degli Angeli (S. Angelo vaporetto stop).
•            Find a place around our palazzo to eat lunch, and then walk to San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Accademia, Salute — “the Bermuda Shorts Triangle.”
•            You will have time to take your first photographs, look into shop windows, and feed the pigeons. We will not be entering the Basilica or Doge’s Palace today.
Early Evening:
Receive treasure hunt book.
Go out for dinner and an early turn-in to get over jet lag.

Day 2: TUESDAY, May 17

Morning Mission: Up early in the morning to visit the Basilica di San Marco (line up at 9 a.m.; basilica opens at 9:45 a.m., about 1 hour).
•            Remember, bare shoulders, stomachs, and/or knees are not permitted in
the basilica.
Visit the Palazzo Ducale (about 2 hours).
•            As we tour the ducal prisons, remember Casanova’s description of his arrest and escape.
Afternoon Art: Lunch together around 1 or 2.
Group gondola ride — take some art photos in Sargent’s style (from the water). Note: This may be rescheduled for evening, depending on gondola availability.
Free time, but finish “Hunt 5: Doge’s Palace” (exterior columns) from Venetian Hunts & Puzzles to discuss that evening.
Evening Event: Regroup & Discuss: Grade Hunt 5

Day 3: WEDNESDAY, May 18

Morning Mission: Walking tour of Isola della Giudecca, visit the churches of the plague — Palladio’s Santissimo Redentore and Longhena’s La Salute (Salute hours: 9-12, 3-5:30). We’ll also point out Santa Maria del Rosario, on Zattere, from here.
•            The ghetto is the area in which Shakespeare’s moneylender Shylock from A Merchant of Venice would likely have lived
Afternoon Art:
Lunch on your own.
Visit Accademia Museum on your own: Finish “Hunt 4: Accademia” from Venetian Hunts & Puzzles. (Accademia: 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.)
Evening Event:
5-7 p.m. Regroup behind Salute with painting gear. Grade Hunt 4.
Paint the view of Santissimo Redentore (which is in Giudecca) from Zattere or take vaporetto to Guidecca and paint the view of Santa Maria del Rosario (which is on Zattere) [Gesuiti] (2 hours).

Day 4: THURSDAY, May 19

Morning Mission:
Breakfast.
Vaporetto from Fondamente Nuove to San Michele, the cemetery island — wander on your own, complete a painting, take art photos, or make rubbings.
Return together.
Afternoon Art:
Lunch on your own.
Visit Ca’d’Oro. Finish “Hunt 1: Ca ’d’Oro” from Venetian Hunts & Puzzles. Ca’ d’Oro is open from 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Evening Event:
6 p.m. Meet for dinner together. Grade Hunt 1.
8 p.m. Meet for Vivaldi concert (tba)

Day 5: FRIDAY, May 20

Morning Mission:
Visit Santa Maria dei Miracoli and complete “Hunt 7: Church of Santa Maria Dei Miracoli.” (Miracoli is open from 10-4.)
Afternoon Art: You have the rest of the day free. Go shopping or sightseeing if you want — don’t go to the islands, because we’ll do that on Saturday to avoid the tourist mobs that will overwhelm Venice.
Evening Event: Dinner on your own. We’ll grade Hunt 7 over breakfast tomorrow.

Day 6: SATURDAY, May 21

All-Day Island Tour: Vaporetto to Murano, Burano & Torcello — bring your art supplies! Lunch on Burano.
•            Reading: A Literary Companion to Venice, Chapter 7: The Islands
Evening Event: Home-cooked dinner together in the palazzo. Free time after dinner, but remember that we’re getting up early the next morning….

Day 7: SUNDAY, May 22

Morning Mission:
•            6 a.m.: Paint Piazza San Marco from San Giorgio Maggiore or San Giorgo Maggiore from Piazza San Marco, in the style of Turner (3 hours).
•            Brunch
•            Visit Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo  (open to tourists on Sunday after 11 a.m.)
Afternoon Art:  Get lost and make art. Try to find a part of the city you haven’t visited yet and complete a painting or drawing.
•            Some Suggestions: The Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Mocenigo Museum, Correr Museum, Ca’ Pesaro Museum, Fortuny Museum, any church we won’t be touring, or take the vaporetto to Lido.
•            Remember that many shops and museums are closed on Sunday!
Evening Event: Regroup & Discuss. Share the day’s art. Home-cooked dinner.

Day 8: MONDAY, May 23

All-Day Trip to Padua: Train trip takes 20-40 minutes.
•            Cappela degli Scovegni to see Giotto’s frescoes (9 a.m.-7 p.m.)
•            Basilica di Sant’Antonio to see Donatello’s statue of Gattemelata.
•            Free time in Padua. Make art as desired.
•            Return to train station at arranged time. Travel home together.
Evening Event: Regroup & Discuss on train ride home.

Day 9: TUESDAY, May 24

Morning Mission:
•            Walk along the Canale di San Marco to view Arsenale.
•            Walk to San Pietro di Castello (8 a.m.-12 p.m., 3 p.m.-6 p.m.)
•            Walk to Giardini Pubblici.
Afternoon Art:
• Noon: Visit the 16th-century San Sebastiano church to get a tour from the art restorers from Save Venice who are attempting to preserve its famous Veronese paintings and fresco. Lunch and free time afterward.
• 3-6 p.m. Meet at 3 p.m. behind La Salute. Watercolor architectural details of La Salute, Dogana, or San Giorgio Maggiore in the style of Sargent.
Evening Event: Free time after painting is completed. Dinner on your own.

Day 10:  WEDNESDAY, May 25

All-Day Trip to Vicenza: Train trip takes 45 minutes.
•            Walking tour to view Palladio’s architecture
•            Lunch together.
•            Villa Rotunda (3-6 p.m.)
Evening Event: Regroup & Discuss on train ride home.

Day 11: THURSDAY, May 26

Morning Mission:
•            10 a.m. Visit Ca’Rezzonica to learn about 18th century Venice. Finish “Hunt 8: Ca’Rezzonica” from Venetian Hunts & Puzzles.
Afternoon Art: From the list provided by your instructors, find a canal and paint it in the style of Sargent or Whistler. Free time thereafter.
Evening Event: Regroup & Discuss.
•            Final restaurant dinner together.
•            Pack up all your bags tonight, because we’re leaving Venice tomorrow!

Day 12: FRIDAY, May 27

Train to Florence (about 2 hours by Eurostar @$60 each)
•            Settle into hotel & walk around central city, visit Ponte Vecchio over the River Arno
•            Gelato Taste-Off: Perche No? vs. Vivoli vs. Festival del Gelato
•            Dinner together.

Day 13: SATURDAY, May 28

All-Day: Florence:
•            Galleria dell’Accademia (8:15 a.m.-6:50 p.m.; Michaelangelo’s David)
•            The Bargello (8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Donatello’s David).
•            Tour Piazza del Duomo to see the duomo, campanile and baptistry
Evening Event: Walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city.

Day 14: SUNDAY, May 29

All-Day: Florence:
•            Uffizi Gallery (reservations: 3 hours)
•            Palazzo Pitti’s Boboli Gardens. Take photos for paintings in the style of Sargent upon our return home (Garden: 8:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m.)
Evening Event: Free time. Dinner on your own. Pack up to leave Florence the next day!

Day 15: MONDAY, May 30
Depart Florence

*** FAQ ***

Is Venice safe to wander around without a guide?

Venice is very safe during the day and reasonably safe at night, as long as you take the normal precautions: stay in sight of your buddy, avoid getting drunk, and stick to well-lit streets after dark. Pickpocketing is a hazard in any crowded tourist area; keep your valuables in front pockets or a travel belt and keep a close eye on your iPod if you carry it clipped to a waistband.  In Venice it’s easy (and fun!) to get lost, but hard to stay lost; ultimately you’ll hit the lagoon or Grand Canal, after which it isn’t difficult to find your way back to a main campo or bridge and get your bearings.

Any clothing restrictions?

Some churches do not permit visitors with bare shoulders, midriffs, or legs, so try to avoid a wardrobe full of shorts and tank tops; the famous Basilica di San Marco, in particular, requires shoulders and knees to be covered. Women should keep in mind that exposed cleavage, stomachs, and thighs may attract unwanted attention and crude behavior or comments from some men. Shorts are generally only worn by children, Germans and Americans, so although you can wear them (as long as you’re not visiting a church), they will scream “tourist!” to everyone around you.

You’ll be doing a lot of walking on hard cobblestones. Sneaker-style hiking shoes would be a wise investment.

Bring layers for warmth (average May temps run from 55-70 degrees) and bring your umbrellas and raincoats (average rainfall in May is 2.7 inches). Note that cobblestone streets are slippery when wet!

Is there wi-fi so I can email and blog?

Wi-fi, not so much; Venice is a city of stone! Cell-phone reception often requires walking outside into a campo, as well. However, Venice has numerous internet cafes where you can pay to use the provided computers or, in some cases, plug in your laptop. The palazzo we’re renting for our stay promises internet access, although what form it will take is another question. So bring your laptop if you want (Dr. Dru will!), but expect to pay for internet access. Remember to bring plug adapters for laptops and voltage adapters for other electronics, such as blowdryers.

Is the water safe to drink?

Yes; you can drink it from the faucet. Bottled water abounds if you prefer to be cautious, however.

I have food allergies or restrictive eating preferences; will I find anything to eat in Italy?

Italy is a gourmet’s paradise, but it doesn’t always cater to eating restrictions. You’ll have a hard time finding gluten-free pasta, for example, but as long as you can eat regular enriched wheat pasta, going meatless won’t be a problem for you. There are a few vegetarian restaurants in Venice, as well. If you’re allergic to shellfish, you may want to avoid all seafood dishes as a matter of precaution; restaurants might not be scrupulous about preparing shellfish dishes in separate pots and pans. JewishVenice offers advice on finding kosher food. We intend to rent a palazzo with a kitchen, so you will have the option of shopping and cooking for yourself during much of the trip, although sometimes we’ll be out all day and eating in restaurants. We recommend that for the duration of the trip you relax any voluntary eating restrictions you’ve imposed upon yourself and enjoy the full Italian culinary experience.

I use a wheelchair; will I have problems getting around?

Unfortunately, yes; the streets of Venice are narrow and paved with uneven stones, and they abound with stairs and bridges. There is very little accommodation for wheelchairs in buildings — most are extremely old and have only stairwells — or on mass transit such as trains and boats. Moreover, there are no railings between the streets and the canals if the crowds get pushy, as they sometimes do. This trip will be very walking-intensive and is not a good choice for anyone who has a mobility impairment.

Are there ATMs? Are credit cards usually accepted?

Yes to both. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your bank to find out about international ATM-use or credit-card-use surcharges that may be incurred. Most of the main tourist shops and large restaurants will be happy to accept your credit card, but having cash is a good idea for smaller neighborhood shops, grocery stores, vaporetto tickets, and cafes. …Unless we’re arriving in Venice on a Sunday, consider bringing an ATM card with you and getting your euros at a bank in Venice, rather than exchanging money at LAX.

Will there be time to shop?

Of course. We’ll ask that you restrain your consumer impulses during the painting/touring part of the class and, in return, we’ll give you plenty of time afterward to browse around; remember, you’ll be in the city for eleven days, so you’ll have lots of chances to shop. Venice is well-known for its Murano glass and Burano silk (we’ll visit both islands, but caveat emptor — much of both is said to come from China nowadays) and its beautiful hand-painted Carnevale masks (Mondonovo still crafts them individually, if you’re feeling wealthy). You’ll also find expensive hand-loomed fabrics and accessories from Bevilacqua and Venetia Studium and, of course, plenty of fashionable Italian clothing and shoes. You’ll also find the usual cheezy souvenirs, if you really want a plastic gondola in a snowglobe….

If you plan to buy a lot, consider setting aside enough money to mail it home from Venice. Remember, we’ll be traveling by train for the last few days, and your professors assure you from personal experience that you don’t want to do that while hauling around more than one suitcase and backpack! (Plus, you’ll decide to do some more shopping in Florence, won’t you?)

What if I want to continue traveling through Italy/Europe after the class is over?

Tell Study Abroad before airplane reservations are made. You’ll find it very easy to meet up with friends or family in Florence, which has an airport, or to travel from Florence by train to another destination. You may wish to reserve your train tickets in advance during your stay in Venice; your professors can help you.