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April 22, 2024
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The Republic of Venice met its demise in 1797. Today, you can explore its heritage. Embark on a journey from Venice to Dubrovnik to unveil the vestiges of the Serenissima, an extinct country that held sway over the Adriatic and Mediterranean regions for nearly a millennium.
Commencing in Venice, the former capital, the voyage proceeds to the cities that once constituted the “Stato da Mar,” the Republic’s overseas territories. These include Piran, Rovinj, Zadar, and Šibenik. Finally, the expedition arrives at Dubrovnik, which served as an independent republic known as Ragusa, rivaling Venice for centuries.
Day 1
Airport Transfer
Check-in and Relaxation
Orientation Walking Tour: Get acquainted with the neighborhood, public transportation, amenities, and safety procedures.
Welcome Dinner: Enjoy a delightful aperitivo-dinner with finger food at a bacaro, a typical Venetian bar. (Included)
Day 2 – First exploration of Venice
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a good breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Walking Tour with a Local Association: Explore your designated Venetian sestiere (neighborhood) through a guided walking tour. Learn about the local public transportation system, nearby amenities, and essential information. The association will address the topic of over-tourism and provide guidelines on what to do and what not to do in the city.
Free Time: Enjoy some leisure time to explore Venice at your own pace.
Dinner: Dinner is not included in the itinerary, allowing you the freedom to choose where and what to eat.
Day 3 – Venice power’s sites and the Jewish Ghetto
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s schedule.
Venice Walking Tour: Explore the significant sites of power from the Venetian Republic, including Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Ducale e Basilica, Mercerie, and Rialto’s market.
Lunch: Lunch is not included, allowing you the flexibility to choose your preferred dining option.
Ghetto Walking Tour: Experience a visit to the historic Venetian Jewish Ghetto, from which the English word “ghetto” originated. Explore the Venetian Jewish Museum during the tour.
Free Time: Enjoy some leisure time to explore Venice at your own pace.
Venetian Dinner: Indulge in a delectable Venetian dinner with a diverse menu selection to accommodate various dietary preferences. Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
Day 4 – To Murano, via vaporetto
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a nice breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Trip to Murano and Burano: Depart from Fondamenta Nove using the Vaporetto (Venetian “bus”) for a captivating excursion.
Visit a glass production site on the island of Murano and immerse yourself in the unique life of the Venetian lagoon.
Lunch Break in Burano: Enjoy a break for lunch in the charming island of Burano. Please note that lunch expenses are not included.
Return to Venice: After exploring the islands, return to Venice.
Dinner: Dinner arrangements are not included, allowing you the flexibility to choose your preferred dining experience.
Day 5 – Entering the Stato da Mar: From Venice to Piran and Buje (3,5 hours)
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a full breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Transfer to Piran: Embark on a scenic 3-hour journey to reach the charming town of Piran.
Lunch Break: Enjoy a break for lunch during your time in Piran. Please note that lunch expenses are not included.
Piran Walking Tour: Explore the former maritime territories of the Republic of Venice, known as the Stato da Mar, through a guided walking tour of Piran.
Visit notable landmarks such as Piazza Tartini, Benečanka, the maritime museum, and the lovely workshop of Nika’s Tiny House.
Gain insights from a local historian during the tour.
Free Time: Take advantage of some leisure time to explore Piran at your own pace.
Arrival in Buje and Dinner in the Agriturismo: After a 30-minute journey, arrive in Buje and enjoy a delectable dinner at an agriturismo. Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
Day 6– Round trip: Buje, Rovinj and Porec (2 hours)
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a complete breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Departure for Dvigrad/Duecastelli and Rovinj/Rovigno: Begin your journey exploring the history of Istria during the time of the Republic of Venice. Visit the ghost town of Dvigrad and admire the beauty of the city of Rovinj. Engage with a representative from the local “Ecomuseum Batana” to learn more about the region.
Lunch Break at Spačio Matika in Rovinj/Rovigno: Enjoy a refreshing lunch break at Spačio Matika, which is part of the ecomuseum. (Included)
Trip to Poreč/Parenzo: Continue the adventure with a trip to Poreč/Parenzo, where you will visit the Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gain insights into the historical relations between Venice and the Byzantine Empire.
Dinner in Buje: Conclude the day with a dinner in Buje. Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
DAY 7 – From Istria to Dalmatia: Buje to Zadar (5 hours)
Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Departure to Zadar: Embark on a scenic 4-hour journey to reach Zadar, the former capital of the Venetian Stato da Mar.
Along the way, you will pass through the territory of Rijeka/Fiume, which was once part of the Habsburg Empire.
Lunch Break in Zadar: Enjoy a break for lunch in Zadar. Please note that lunch expenses are not included in the itinerary.
Zadar Walking Tour: Immerse yourself in the history of Zadar during a guided tour of the Old Town led by a local researcher.
Discover the Venetian conquest of Zadar, explore the Venetian fortresses, visit the arsenal, and stroll along Callelarga.
Experience the local culture by testing the guidebook’s Dalmatian dictionary and indulging in tasting local (Venetian) recipes.
Dinner in Zadar: Conclude the day with a delightful dinner in Zadar.
Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
DAY 8 – From the Republic of Venice to the Republic of Dubrovink (5 hours)
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a delicious breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Departure to Šibenik: Embark on a journey to Šibenik, which will take approximately 1.5 hours.
Explore the Venetian fortresses in Šibenik and have the opportunity to engage with a local historian from the organization Fortress of Culture. Learn about the fascinating (re)use of cultural heritage.
Lunch Break: Enjoy a break for lunch during your time in Šibenik. Please note that lunch expenses are not included in the itinerary.
Arrival in Dubrovnik: After approximately 3.5 hours, you will reach the beautiful city of Dubrovnik.
Free Time in Dubrovnik: Take advantage of your free time to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace, immerse yourself in its rich history, and indulge in its captivating atmosphere.
Dinner in Dubrovnik: Enjoy a delightful dinner in one of Dubrovnik’s charming restaurants. Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
DAY 9 – Exploring Dubrovnik
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Walking Tour of Dubrovnik: Embark on a fascinating walking tour of Dubrovnik, which includes exploring the iconic city walls, visiting the Rectors’ Palace, the Synagogue, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Lazaret.
Lunch Break: Enjoy a break for lunch during your time in Dubrovnik. Please note that lunch expenses are not included in the itinerary.
Free Time: Take advantage of your free time to further explore Dubrovnik on your own, visit additional attractions, or simply relax and soak in the city’s unique ambiance.
Dinner: Conclude your day with a dinner of your choice in one of Dubrovnik’s delightful restaurants. Please note that dinner expenses are not included in the itinerary.
DAY 10 – Exploring Dubrovnik…a bit more
Breakfast & Day Briefing: Start your day with a delicious breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Trip to Pelješac: Embark on a scenic one-hour journey to the picturesque Pelješac peninsula.
Experience a delightful wine tasting session, immersing yourself in the rich wine culture of the region. It is worth noting that this area was historically governed by the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik), which was a rival of Venice. The walls of Ston and the geopolitical significance around the city of Neum serve as reminders of that period.
Lunch with Wine Tasting: Indulge in a delectable lunch accompanied by a wine tasting experience. (Included)
Farewell Dinner & Program Closing: Conclude your trip with a memorable farewell dinner, marking the closing of the program. This special evening is included as part of the itinerary, providing a perfect opportunity to reflect on the experiences shared during the journey.
DAY 11 – The end
On the final day of our journey, as usual, start your day with a satisfying breakfast and receive a briefing for the day’s activities.
Airport Transfer and departure from Dubrovnik or Split.
Finally, bid farewell to the beautiful Serenissima Republic of Venice.
A journey across the Serenissima Repubblic of Venice is a joint project by Extinguished Countries and Confluenze.
This organised tour is available all year round. To activate the tour, a minimum of 6 participants is required.
If you’d like you travel with us, send an email to: explore@extinguishedcountries.com
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