Embark your ship at Santa Marta Vaporetto station. Afternoon at leisure before sailing to Setti Martiri Quay for the night. Welcome cocktail and dinner on board.

We have breakfast on board and relax as we cruise through the magnificent bay of Venice to Chioggia, where we arrive mid morning. We have free time to explore the town before returning on board for lunch. This afternoon, we have an optional guided visit of Padua, probably one of the most important artistic towns in Italy. Many painters, architects and sculptors have left their mark on the town. After our visit of the famous "Santo" Basilica dedicated to Saint Anthony, we have a short walking tour of the town which gives us an insight into the history of this charming town. We head back by coach to Venice at the end of the afternoon, where we rejoin our boat, which made the cruise back to our mooring point in Venice during our excursion. After dinner on board the evening is free in Venice, where we moor for the night

After breakfast on board, we have either free time in Venice or we set off on our optional excursion by private boat to visit the islands in the lagoon: Burano, famous for its lacework and Murano, home of Venice's glassmaking industry since the late 13th century and a beautiful little island to visit. We return on board for lunch. This afternoon we spend on our optional guided visit of the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Square. We also see the exterior of the famous awe-inspiring basilica, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its Byzantine-style facades.

On the 22nd December departure, we have dinner on board this evening and our special Christmas Eve celebrations. As we moor for the night in Venice, we have the option of attending Midnight Mass in Venice at St Mark's Basilica (subject to availability). We return on board and are served a glass of mulled wine. Overnight, we receive a visit from Father Christmas.

We have breakfast and lunch on board today, and can take full advantage of this relaxing day at leisure to discover Venice at our own pace. Venice is a town of legend, built in the 5th century and today a dream of a city with an enchanting mosaic of 118 islands stitched together by more than 400 bridges. Venice became a great maritime power in the 10th century and is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece.

On the 28th December departure, we return on board for our New Year's Eve Dinner. Our Chef will prepare a wonderful meal, with wines included, followed by an evening of dancing until late. At the stroke of midnight, a glass of Champagne will be served to each guest and for the night owls, French Onion Soup will be served at dawn.

Disembark your cruise ship after breakfast.