Gems of Northern Italy

About

Uncover the Beauty and Breathtaking History of Venice and Northern Italy.

A Tour Experience Like No Other as We Explore Northern Italy & Its Jewish Heritage Off-The-Beaten Path with Exclusive Access to Sites & People of Italy & Jewish Italy

Day 1 Monday: Venice Embarkation
Arrive Venice and board the luxurious La Venezia.†¯ Afternoon welcome reception, orientation, and a welcome cruise along Venice's magical Giudecca Canal to San Marco, enjoy a welcome cocktail on the top deck with Saint Mark's Basilica and the Canal Grande as your backdrop followed by dinner.

Day 2: Tuesday: Venice & Jewish Venice
Today you will embark on your own personal voyage of discovery through this enchanting city.   Our expert guides will show you iconic sites as well as quiet lanes and secret spots only known to locals. Begin with a walking discovery tour with morning private tour at Doge's Palace.   Then afternoon we continue our exploration of the rich Jewish history & heritage of Venice including meeting with the local Jewish community.

Featured Excursions & Highlights

•       Venice walking discovery tour beginning with morning private tour at the Doge's Palace
•       Afternoon Jewish Venice
•       Afternoon lectures & programming
•       Evening entertainment

Day 3: Wednesday: The Venetian Islands & Padua
Your morning begins with a leisurely onboard cruising with guided commentary on the upper outdoor deck exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands.    

After lunch we depart to explore the picturesque ancient city of Padua including its wonderfully preserved Jewish sites and still active Jewish community. Experience a walking discovery tour of the old town & Jewish quarter.   The city is a dense network of arcaded streets opening into large communal piazza, and many bridges crossing the various branches of the Bacchiglione, which once surrounded the ancient walls like a moat.   The Jewish community of Padova belongs to one of the oldest in Italy with the Sinagoga Tedesca (now the Museum of Jewish Padova) dedicated in 1525 in the heart of the Jewish quarter, and the 16th century Italian Rite Synagogue, which is still used by the small 170 members of the Jewish community, and a Jewish cemetery dating from the 16th century.    

Featured Excursions & Highlights

•       Morning guided cruise of the Northern Lagoon
•       Morning lecture & culinary program
•       Afternoon Padua tour
•       Evening entertainment
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Day 4: Thursday: Chioggia (choice day)
Chioggia:†¯This morning, you'll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia; sometimes called "Little Venice† at the southern end of the lagoon. This picturesque fishing village is a popular place for artists where the seaside air and sweeping views are simply spectacular.   From here you will have a number of morning & afternoon tour options to choose from:

Morning choice:  

Option 1: Chioggia market visit:  
Chioggia is the quintessential Venetian Lagoon fishing village. Founded in the fifth century, it was known as the pantry of Venice because of its many small truck farms, which supplied Venetian households with produce until just a few decades ago. It is still a thriving fishing port; its wholesale fish market is one of the largest in Italy. On Thursdays, Chioggia also hosts Corso del Popolo†”a dynamic outdoor market along its main thoroughfare where stands sell everything from clothes, shoes, purses, gadgets and "every-day† domestic items. Locals usually do their shopping here as prices are more affordable than retail shopping.   We join our resident foodie Naomi as we join the locals for a morning excursion through these beautiful local markets.  

Option 2: Let's Go: Biking Chioggia:  
Set off on a light bicycle ride along the beaches of Chioggia, an island often described as a second Venice in miniature. Head to Lusenzo Lagoon, break to see the fishing boats, and then continue to Isola dell'Unione.

Afternoon Choice  

Option 1: Bragozzo ride of the Po Delta & Tenuta Ca' Zen
Board a genuine Adriatic wooden sailing boat, a bragozzo, to take in the island of Chioggia from the clear blue waters of the lagoon.   Experience a ride through the canals for a guided exploration of the Islands and wildlife of the Po Delta. After your sailing, return to shore for a visit to Tenuta Ca' Zen, a beautiful Venetian villa with a fascinating story. Here, you can explore the expansive grounds, antique stable, and more.

Option 2: Castello del Catajo  
Set off for the Euganean hills to discover one of Europe's most majestic castles the Castello del Catajo. Here, enjoy a guided tour of a palace so beautiful that it became a resort for the Habsburg Dynasty before being returned to Italy following the first world war. After marveling at its frescoed walls, continue for a guided walk around its beautiful gardens or take some free time for yourself to explore as you please before returning to the ship.  

Featured Excursions:

•       Morning choice tour
•       Afternoon choice tour
•       Lecture program
•       Evening entertainment

Day 5: Friday: Murano & Burano
Your morning begins with an excursion to the famous Island of Murano for a glass blowing demonstration.   Murano's glassblowers are renowned for being amongst the best in the world†”and how could they not be, with a tradition of craftsmanship dating back eight centuries? Watch a glass-master shape beautiful works of art in their Murano workshop. Before you leave, take some time to roam around the factory's gallery to view works in a wide variety of styles†”from tableware to sculptural, traditional to modern. You can even purchase some for yourself to bring a piece of Murano to your home. Explore more of the Island on your own before returning to the ship for lunch.  

This afternoon we sail to the magical Island of Burano where we will dock for Shabbat.   Hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yellow†”Burano's brightly painted fishermen's cottages are an artist's dream. Burano is known for its lace-making tradition, handed down from mother to daughter since the first workshop was set up at the end of the 16th century. After lunch we stroll into town to appreciate this charming island for an afternoon of exploring and what we consider to be the best shopping in all the lagoon. While you're here, you'll visit a historic lace-making atelier to see some of their delicate work and shop for some of the world's most stunning linen and lace.

Friday evening prepare for a magical Shabbat on-board as Venice glitters in the background.

Featured Excursions:

•       Morning tour Murano  
•       Afternoon tour Burano
•       Lecture program
•       Shabbat  
  

Day 6: Shabbat Burano†¯
Shabbat on-board with new and old friends.†¯†¯

Afternoon optional guided historical walking tour of Burano.

After a magical Havdalah we depart and set sail to Venice.

Day 7: Sunday: Venice
We return to Venice this morning to experience a bit more of this magical city for our final day of the tour.

Venice Walk with Gondola Artisans Visit: Get an early morning start to see a side of Venice most of the tourists miss†”The Dorsoduro. One of Venice's six main sestieri, or districts, The Dorsoduro is quieter than some of the more popular districts and thus has an authentic, easygoing atmosphere. Enjoy a walking tour around this picturesque side of town before moving on to visit a gondola artisan. See the craftwork that goes into Venice's iconic sailing vessels and meet some local masters at work.

Afternoon Choice tour:

Option 1: Do as the locals do †“ Venice walking tour:
Back when Venice was at the height of its power, only the Rialto Bridge spanned the Grand Canal†”and the city's famous Rialto markets for fish and produce have sprawled at its feet as long as the bridge has arched over the water. Here you'll find violet artichokes from the nearby island of Sant'Erasmo, honey from the salt marshes, white asparagus from Giare†”and Venetians shopping for their dinners in the historic heart of the city. Join them as you explore the colorful, noisy, and fun arcades with your guide (the ship's chef and our resident foodie will accompany us on this expedition), who knows Venice's culinary arts intimately. Freshly caught local fish is sold to knowledgeable customers under the Gothic arches of the covered fish market, which was probably originally built in the 11th century. At the end of the tour, you should have plenty of time for some last minute shopping or even a gondola ride.

Option 2: Ca' Macana Mask Atelier
An integral feature of the Carnival of Venice, masks are known for their intricate beauty and wide variety of styles. See for yourself how these masks are created at one of the top handmade mask ateliers in town.  

Featured Excursions:

•       Morning†¯tour
•       Afternoon choice tour
•       Farewell program & dinner
•       Evening entertainment

Day 8: Monday: Disembark
Morning departure and transfer to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.

*Please note itinerary, mooring, and casting off times are subject to change. It may be necessary to make changes due to climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules, or other operational factors.†¯

About the provider

Kosher River Cruises is the only kosher tour operator that charters entire ships for each of its cruise vacations. Unlike other kosher Jewish cruise programs that take place on larger ships"”where 50 + kosher passengers share a vessel with thousands of other guests"”Kosher River Cruise tours host a maximum of 50 (expeditions vessels) to 140 (established waterways) guests on a 5-Star luxury vessel reserved just for us.

Having our very own ship creates a unique sense of community as we travel together with like-minded individuals, creating special connections with fellow passengers. Shabbat onboard becomes a special and memorable experience, bringing us all together for a magical event with friends, old and new.

Rooms & accommodation

Kashrut & dining

Step aboard a Kosher River Cruises vessel and taste everything that the landscapes, regions, and our adventurous head chefs can offer you in the way of carefully composed menus and local specialties. Our kitchen team combines its love of cooking with its goal to present you with modern haute cuisine, tempered with a classical approach to food. All food and standards for the program will be Glatt Kosher under strict supervision.  

Kashrut: All poultry and meat products are Mihadrin and "Chalak" (commonly called glatt). All dairy products are Cholov Yisroel and Pas Yisroel for all bread and cakes.

We are proud to present Master Kosher Chef Malcolm Green who will lead our culinary team to create your unforgettable dining experience while you are our guests.  We have taken the fine dining that symbolizes riverboat cruising and combined it with expert kosher chefs to create the perfect kosher cruise.

Religious life & Shabbat

Rabbi Shmuel (Stewart) Weiss will be leading our minyanim, our Shabbat program and offering selected shiurim during the cruise.

Activities & entertainment

Location

Address: Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Getting there

Embarkation (Monday Oct 27):

Clients will be able to check-in and board in Venice beginning at 15:30. Guest who arrive earlier may leave their luggage at reception beginning at 12:00 but will not be able to check-in or receive their cabin until 15:30. Venice Airport (VCE) is a 30-minute transfer to the pier, airport meet & transfers on day of arrival and departure are included.

Disembarkation (Monday Nov 3)

Clients will be required to disembark by 9:30am. Airport transfers are included on day of departure: Venice Airport is a 30-minute transit.

Tags

Contact

• Organizer: Kosher Riverboat Cruises (Esther)
• Location: Venice, Italy
• Phone: +32489990495
• WhatsApp: +32489990495
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://kosherrivercruise.com

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