CRUISING THE LAGOON OF VENICE
A scenic tour of the lagoon and its islands, while feasting upon an array of Venetian speciality dishes. Onboard the Bragozzo:The Lagoon of Venice is the biggest lagoon in Italy, a precious environment dating back to 6000 years ago. There are 34 minor islands, located in the North and South lagoon. Torcello and other isles are the cradle of Veentian civilization; after 19th century, therefore, most of them become abandoned, and several projects for their rebirth are being discussed. Others have been enlivened with new energies.(from SAVEUR magazine)
"(...) The canals are the arteries of Venice, cleansing the city, provisioning it, keeping it alive. But the canals are only part of it. What defines Venice most of all-gives it its shape, its limitations, its possibilities-is the lagoon. It is seawater flowing into the lagoon from the Adriatic, and from the lagoon into the canals, that keeps the city from literally stagnating, (The same tidal incursions, of course, also flood the city frequently, and have been eroding it since it was built.) And the lagoon gives Venice its best fish and shellfish, and its most flavorful vegetables-grown in market gardens on several islands. "The best things you can eat in Venice," says Arrigo Cipriani, "all come from the lagoon, not just the seafood but the vegetables. Because of the slightly salty ground, things grown on these islands have a special character". (...) Gliding off, we cruise past San Clemente, where pilgrims headed for the Holy Land used to stop for succor, and where the doges once welcomed visiting dignitaries. In more recent times the site of a mental hospital, the island was sold earlier this year to Benetton (whose roots are in the Veneto, in Treviso) and its partners, who reportedly plan to erect a luxury hotel and conference center there. (Benetton also owns the well-regarded Monaco Grand Canal Hotel in Venice proper.) Next we put in at Sacca Sessola, once the site of a self-sustaining tuberculosis hospital, complete with electric generators; acres of farmland and vineyards (the soil is very fertile, and the temperature is a few degrees warmer on the average than that of Venice); a winery; a church; a school; and living quarters for hospital staff and the families of patients. We trek around the island for an hour or so, and discover an unexpected side of Venice-passing olive and palm trees (less than a mile from San Marco!), magnolias, oleanders, lebanon cedars, eucalypti, mulberries. For the first time, we feel as if Venice has a truly Mediterranean aspect. (...) Leaving the island, we navigate the lagoon, and about half an hour later, drop anchor between tiny San Francesco del Deserto (site of a Franciscan monastery where only eight monks live) and Sant'Erasmo, the largest island in the lagoon and the most agricultural.(...) At a beautifully set table on deck, we consume a perfect lagoon-derived Venetian meal. First there is the meat of sprawling spider crabs gratinéed with thyme-scented bread crumbs. Next comes a classic Venetian risotto, flavored with a purée of the little lagoon fish called go-which is goby or gudgeon-boiled with white wine and vegetables, then passed through a food mill. The main course is a magnificent branzino, or sea bass, baked in the little oven. Fish of this quality, even the best restaurants can't usually get. Eating this excellent repast, surrounded by the land and fishing grounds from which it comes, we could hardly feel more intimately connected with the lagoon-and, through the lagoon, with Venice itself. "
Tranquillity is the rule in these lands. The only way to move near the minor isles is sailing or rowing with small, flat body traditional lagoon boats (the depth of water in 85% of the lagoon is very low).
The unique experience of exploring the unknown Venice: its lagoon and natural environment.
Bragozzo and Topo are the typical fishing boats
CRUISE ON THE BRAGOZZO: FEATURES:
Tonnage: 32 tons
Dimensions:16 x 4.10 m
Crew: Captain, guide, seaman
Languages: English, German, French, Spanish
Accommodations:Dînette, kitchen, bath
Services: VHF, radar, stereo
THE CRUISES WITH "BRAGOZZO"
CONDITIONS and PRICES (please e-mail us for details and reservations)
• Daily cruise - max. 10 min. 6 guests
Duration 6/8 hrs from 10 a.m. / 6 p.m. - 4 p.m. / 12 p.m.
- Embarkation: Venice. Tessera,airport
- Excursions with sail/motor boat to the islands in the lagoon north of Venice. S. Erasmo, Saline, Torcello, etc.
- Lunch or supper on board. based on meal of the venetian cuisine
• Two days cruise - max 10 min.6 guests
1st day: Sail/motor boat excursions to the islands in the lagoon north of Venice S. Erasmo, Saline, fishing grounds.
- Lunch on board based on food of the venetian tradition
- Supper in the Cipriani Inn or at Ponte del diavolo, Torcello.
- Overnight stay in villa.
2nd day: Excursion with sail/motor boat along the lagoon embankments, San Francesco del Deserto, , Pellestrina, Poveglia fishing grounds
- Lunch on board based on food of the venetian tradition.
- Return to Venice in the evening
• Three-day cruise max. 10 persons, min. 4, duration 3 days including: Embarkation, Venice. , Tessera airport
1st day: Sail/motor boat excursions to the islands in the lagoon north of Venice S. Erasmo, Saline, fishing grounds.
- Lunch on board based on food of the venetian tradition
- Supper in the Cipriani Inn or at Ponte del diavolo, Torcello.
- Overnight stay in villa.
2nd day: Excursion with sail/motor boat along the lagoon embankments, Lido, Alberoni, Pellestrina, fishing grounds, etc.
- Supper and overnight stay in the Albergo Grande Italia, Chioggia.
3rd day: Tour of Chioggia, the fish market, return to Venice in the evening with sail/motor boat.
-> All inclusive US$ 1.400 per person• Seven- day cruise max 10 min 4 guests
- 1st day .Arrival at the Castle of Lispida, relax , dinner at the castle, visit of Arquà Petrarca. Night in the castle
- 2nd day Visit of Monselice on carriageway, lunch in villa, visit of Cataio castle and Valsanzibio garden. Dinner and night in the castle of Lispida.
- 3rd day : On boat in to Padova, lunch at Villa Molin, visit of Padova. Night in Padova
- 4th day: on boat along the Riviera del Brenta with its incredible villas, lunch at villa Nani Mocenigo, private visit to Malcontenta : night and dinner at villa Allegri
- 5th day: the lagoon on board of Eolo, visit of private fishing and hunting area , lunch on board. Night and dinner in Chioggia.
- 6th day: visit of Chioggia , lunch on board, arrival in the evening after sailing the lagoon in villa for dinner and night
- 7th day: visit of Torcello, monastry of the island of San Francesco del Deserto , lunch at Locanda Cipriani , arrival in the evening in Venice with dinner in front of San Marco Square.
• Events cruises:
- Feast of the Redeemer - Historical Regatta. All-inclusive price US$ 500 per person
- Other programs on request.
The cruises could have changes about the programmed isles due to the direction of the wind and the weather conditions.
CRUISE ON THE TOPO:
Topo is a smaller, traditional boat: 7.50 meters long, with two trapezoidal colourful sails and a draught of only 30-40 cm. to arrive everywhere in the lagoon. The Topo was used as a fishing boat and to support bragozzi in the shipment of the fishes to Venice.
THE CRUISES WITH "TOPO"
:• A) MORNING CRUISE: max. 4 persons by wind, 6 by motor.
DURATION: 4 hrs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.EMBARKATION: Sailing port of Venice, S. Elena - Venice
ESCURSIONS: By sailing in the south of Venice Lagoon, discovering the isles of Poveglia, S. Lazzaro Degli Armeni, S. Servolo, Lazzaretto Vecchio, S. Maria della Grazia, S. Clemente, and S. Spirito.
REFRESHMENTS: Fresh fruit and drinks on board included.
-> MORNING CRUISE ITL. 290.000 (150 EURO) (CONDITIONS and PRICES based on one cruise, not on each person)
• B) EVENING CRUISE: max. 4 persons by wind, 6 by motor.
DURATION: 5 hrs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.EMBARKATION: Sailing port of Venice, S. Elena - Venice
ESCURSIONS: By sailing in the north of Venice Lagoon, discovering the isles of Vignole, S. Francesco del Deserto, the nice marshes, Mazzorbo, Burano, Torcello, and S. Erasmo.
REFRESHMENTS: Fresh fruit and drinks on board included
-> EVENING CRUISE ITL. 290.000 (150 EURO) (CONDITIONS and PRICES based on one cruise, not on each person)
• C) DAY CRUISE: max. 4 persons by wind, 6 by motor.
DURATION: 9 hrs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.EMBARKATION: Sailing port of Venice, S. Elena - Venice
ESCURSIONS: By sailing in the north of Venice Lagoon, discovering the isles of Poveglia, S. Lazzaro Degli Armeni, S. Servolo, Lazzaretto Vecchio, S. Maria della Grazia, S. Clemente, and S. Spirito.Vignole, S. Francesco del Deserto, the nice marshes, Mazzorbo, Burano, Torcello, and S. Erasmo.
REFRESHMENTS: Fresh fruit and drinks on board included.
-> DAY CRUISE ITL. 490.000 (254 EURO) (CONDITIONS and PRICES based on one cruise, not on each person)
The cruises could have changes about the programmed isles due to the direction of the wind and the weather conditions.
Please e-mail us for details and reservations).
