We are going to VENICE for #historicalcostuming and, more importantly, #inclusivecostuming in February 2024!!

Spend 6 days in a Palazzo near the Grand Canal experiencing the historical delights of Venice during Carnevale. Then, head to a thermal springs resort to recover for 2 days in the warm, restorative waters of the Colli Euganei. 

I’m super excited to take 4 #costumersofcolor to Venice, Italy for the costuming event of the year! I have a great itinerary planned for us.

Day 1 we will arrive in Venice and get settled in an historical Venetian Palace, called a Palazzo, in the San Marco quarter.

Arriving via water taxi is my advice, it’s fancy and makes you feel like James Bond 🙂 but my friends have always called me captain of the #bougie ship.

If we arrive early enough in the day we can pop over to do a little shopping on Rialto Bridge (I have a favorite notebook shop that I’ll show you there). Then perhaps go for a gelato at Gelatoteca Suso.

For dinner I have one of my favorite trattoria in Cannaregio scheduled for us. Trattoria is the termed used for an eating establishment that serves traditional/ local food, and that is less formal than a ristorante but more formal than an osteria.

Day 2 is highlights of Piazza San Marco. We will head on a walking tour of Piazza San Marco to see the Cathedral there called Basilica San Marco. This basilica was the private church of the Venetian Duke (Doge) during the Venetian Empire and it is decorated in amazing frescoes, mosaics, and gold. We will walk to the neighboring Doge’s Palace and also see the famous Bridge of Sighs.

Then we will go to Cafe Florian for an afternoon bite to eat and the necessary Spritz, a drink you have to try while in Venice.

We will probably have late lunch at a cichetti place in Cannaregio. Cichetti are the Venetian equivalent of tapas or small plates. In fact, cichetti means “small bite”. Dinner will be at one of my favorites places in Castello.

On day 3 we will have a chance to tour the historic silk looms of Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua. Those who choose this optional tour will have the chance to visit the ancient weaving mill, discover the 18th century jacquard hand looms in action and the original tools of the manufacturing process, including the famous warping machine. The highlight of the tour will be the weaving of the unique and precious soprarizzo Venetian velvet. Some secrets of the art of weaving will be explained – including the main differences between jacquard fabrics. 

Today is also the day to visit the Accademia Gallery, which traces the development of Venetian art from the 14th to 19th centuries, with works by all of the city’s artistic superstars. 

We will have dinner in Castello unless we opt to save our appetites for the famous ball that happens tonight. Attire for the ball is “Fancy 18th-century”.

Day 4 is photoshoot day! We will use 2 Italian photographers during this trip and one will meet us early this morning in Piazza San Marco to capture the best early sunlight. Attire for today is “1770s-1780s”.

We will likely also take our gondola ride today since we will be dressed up for photos. I suggest taking one as a group that goes under the Rialto Bridge. There is also one by a good cichetti shop over in Dorsoduro.

A couple of options for today, if we have the energy, are Correr Museum and the Hebrew Museum. Correr is the most famous museum in Venice and houses works that reflect Venetian culture, history, and art. If you want to only see with highlights don’t miss the Neoclassical Rooms and the art collection on the second floor. Venice also has a long history of with it’s the Jewish community that you can learn about at the Museo Ebraico.

Day 5 is our second photo opportunity with my friend Massimo. We will get gussied up and have GRWM shots as well as a record of our visit to Caffe Florian. Attire for today is “1770s-1790s”.

This evening we will get dressed up and go to the opera at a Palazzo on the Grand Canal, so pack a fancy cocktail dress! After the opera we will head to one of my favorite places to eat that comes with a free curmudgeon waiter… just wait until you meet him.

On day 6 we leave for Padua. We will take the train from Santa Lucia to the terme, or thermal springs. The spring water here comes from the Alps, where it goes deep underground, is purified, mineralized, and heated, and pops us hundreds of miles southeast in the Eugenean Hills. The Euganean Hills or Colli Euganei in Italian, are a group of hills of volcanic origin. We will spend day 6 and 7 at the spa relaxing. There is also a possibility of visiting some of the olive oil producers and vineyards in this region as it’s known for EVOO and Brodo di Giuggiole (Broth of Jujube/Chinese Date/Red Date), a liqueur infused with nuts and jujubes.

Day 7 will be full spa day! Look forward to these hot springs (and mud baths) offered by our Terme spa hotel. The natural thermal spring water has saline-bromine-iodine components with an average temperature of 80°C. The deep underground water is unique because of the long distance it travels. The water from the basins of the Lessini mountains in the foothills of the alps pass through calcareous rock at a depth of about 3,000 meters and approximately 80 kilometers in length. The abundance of the dissolved substances makes this water a unique thermal resource with an extraordinary therapeutic value.

Some of the places of note in the area are – Hotel Abano Ritz, Quota 101 Vineyards, Vignalta Wine Estates, Birrificio Birdo, Abbazia di Praglia, Ristorante La Montanella, Fair Villa dei Vescovi, and Frantoio Colli del Poeta. 

Day 8 is departure day where we head to the airport in Venice to go back to the US – or to go somewhere else if you are extending your trip. Be sure to make your return flight later in the day so you have enough time to get there. The train takes about an hour.

More info here. $500 deposit due by May 30, 2023. Balance due by August 1, 2023.

We do have wish list items for our travelers, and donations to assist #costumersofcolor to make this trip happen are welcome via PayPal here paypal.me/Coulsons