A journey into the heart of Venice: The lagoon, where it all began

13th - 14th November 2023

PROGRAMME

Monday 13th November

Arrival at the airport of Venice and transfer to NH Hotel Villa Murano, a brand new structure in a XX century industrial architecture.

Check-in and relax @ NH Hotel Villa Murano

16:00 Meet in the Hotel lobby with your tour leader for a Walking tour in Murano, visiting: Spazio Marina and Susanna Sent

The showroom and boutique event venue overlooking the lagoon is the house of the famous glass design workshop of Susanna and Marina Sent. From a family of traditional glassblowers, the sisters Sent founded their own business in 1993, and were soon established as the go-to producers of highly original glass jewellery, to be found in most international contemporary art museum shops and in the best boutiques. They are internationally recognized for their reframing of ancient artisanal techniques, such as murrine and filigree glass, with an innovative, contemporary approach to form and colour. In their beautiful showroom, Susanna and Marina welcome tailored events and bespoke activities for sophisticated customers.

Visit to the Church of Santa Maria and San Donato (Time allowing) This imposing church, originally

founded in the 7th century, was rebuilt in between 1125 and in 1140 AD, when the external decoration of the abse was created. The marvellous stone mosaic floor also dates from around 1140: it measures over 500 square metres and is made of glass pieces together with porphyry, serpentine, and other precious stones, set into figural images and geometric patterns that represent Christian themes.

Dinner and overnight stay at NH Hotel Villa Murano

Tuesday 14th November

9:00 Meeting in the Hotel lobby for an Excursion by private motorboat to the islands of the Lagoon: Burano, a fishing village famous for its brightly coloured cottages, and home of exquisite hand-made lace, where you will taste the typical 'buranello' cookies; Torcello, once a thriving lagoon settlement at the very origins of Venetian civilization. Inside the ancient church of Santa Maria Assunta, glittering medieval mosaics evoke the richness and importance of Torcello’s history.

12:00 Return to Murano and visit to Berengo Studio,

a Murano glass factory whose furnaces produce contemporary glass artworks in collaboration with international artists such as Tony Cragg and Ai Wei Wei. After an introduction to glass blowing in the working furnaces, we'll visit their nearby exhibition and event spaces - now hosting the Biennale related exhibit Glasstress - in the fascinating setting of ancient and disused furnaces.

14:00 return to NH Hotel for a light lunch, hosted by NH, and site inspection of the hotel's congress structure.
Free afternoon to enjoy Venice
18.30 Meet in Piazza San Marco between the columns of "Marco and Todaro" with your tour leader and transfer by motorboat to JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa Isola delle Rose