Category Archives: Venice

Aegean adventure continues

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One of the great advantages of an Aegean cruise (on the GetAway 2027 agenda) is you usually get a chance to spend some time in Venice, Montenegro and Croatia. Stops in Kotor and Dubrovnik after some time in Corfu add a chance to experience beautiful scenery, ancient cultures and the heritage of the region. Thinking about a jaunt to the Greek islands including Montenegro and Croatia? GetAway Travel advisors are ready to chat with you about our 2027 adventure, or scheduling something sooner for you.

Cruise itineraries likely include stops in Milos and Kalamata and then on to the island of Corfu. Then travels to Montenegro and Croatia.

Corfu, Greece’s castle city

 Corfu, off the Northwest coast of Greece, has a cultural legacy honed by years spent under Venetian, French and British rule. But, it also has a legacy documented by tales of gods and heroes. Corfu, in mythology, was the home of the Phaeacians, the generous race of people who gave a ship-wrecked Odysseus a ship to he could return to Ithaca.

Paleokatstrista bay Corfu

The island name in Greek is “Kerkyra.” Kerkyra was the nymph who was the daughter of river god, Aspos. Sea god Poseidon became smitten with her and brought her to the island.

Corfu’s capital is the only city in Greece flanked by two castles, the Old Fortress and the New Fortress. They are placed strategically to ward off invaders. The city is the site of Greece’s first university and the first Greek Theatre and Opera House.

Corfu town, Old Fortress

Old Town and the Old Fortress are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Narrow passageways and streets in Old Town lead visitors to what is one of Europe’s largest public squares with a fabulous walkway that was once reserved for just the aristocracy.

St. Spyridon Bell Tower, Corfu

St. Spyridon has the tallest bell tower in the islands as well as relics of St. Spyridon. Inside there are wonderful icons and the ceiling decorations are stunning. Achilleion began its life as the summer home of Elsabeth of Bavaria, the Empress of Austria. The Neoclassical palace was designed by Italian architect Raffaele Caritto. The interior is a museum and the exterior includes fabulous gardens with decorations and sculptures.

Paleokastrista monastery Corfu

The Paleokastritsa Monastery dates back to the 13th century. The monks on site cultivate olives and press their own olive oil which is for sale.

Paleokastrista monastery mosaic of Jesus

There are groves around the island offering tours as well as some boutique wineries which offer tours.

Museums? Oh yes. There’s the Archeological Museum with items from ancient cities around the island, the Byzantine Museum of Antirouniotissa with rare icons and frescoes as well as other ecclesiastical items. The Asian Art Museum is one of the island’s more impressive museums. It is housed in the Palace of St. Michael and George. Just outside the city you can visit the Folklore Museum of Acharavi, the Sea Shell Museum and the Music Museum.

Ancient Greek temple in Corfu

Embrace the drama and cats of Kotor

 Stunning is the only way to describe Kotor, Montenegro. A gorgeous coastline bracketed by majestic mountain ranges greets visitors. The scenic bay is almost like a fjord and Europe’s deepest canyon, the Tara River Canyon is in Kotor’s Durmitor National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the canyon is 4,300 feet deep and 51 miles long.

Tara River Canyon

There are tunnels carved into the cliff sides.They were built by the Yugoslav army as hideouts for submarines.

Founded by the Romans, the city was an important commercial and artistic center renowned for its goldsmiths as well as its schools of masonry and iconography.

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor’s medieval Old Town features well-preserved Venetian architecture. Indeed, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Natural and Culture Historical Region of Kotor was designated a site because of the way the historic structures in the area stand in harmony with the mountains.

The walls around Kotor are still largely standing, although you can’t walk on them. The gates are an impressive sight in themselves.

Cats Square is near the North Gate. Lots of cats congregate and sun there, but they are all over the area. They are supposedly a sign of good luck since they have survived earthquakes and sieges and keep the rat and snake population under control. There is a Cat Fountain in Cats Square and a Cat Museum which details the history of the feline preoccupation by Kotor residents.

Kotor Cathedral

The Tryphon Cathedral, a great example of Romanesque architecture, is dedicated to St. Tryphon. Inside the cathedral are amazing frescoes and a Sacred Arts Museum. You can’t miss the Church of St. Nicholas. This Serbian Orthodox Church was built between 1902 and 1909. It has a large cupola and two bell towers with black domes topped with golden crosses. A mosaic of the Serbian flag is over the main entrance. Inside there is art, icons and silver pieces on display.

The “Pearl of the Adriatic”

 Dubbed “The Pearl of the Adriatic” because of its stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, its fabulous Mediterranean scenery and its temperate climate year-round, Croatia is a great place to visit. Ships dock at Dubrovnik’s port. The city is stunning. Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has well-preserved medieval architecture. Who can resist an area illuminated by real lanterns at night?

A recent addition to the port area is the Dubrovnik Brewing Co. It offers IPAs, lagers and great pub food.

The city walls offer panoramic views of the area. Think charming streets, amazing historic architecture and the stunning Adriatic coastline and that’s Dubrovnik.

It will likely look eerily familiar because the area was used during the filming of Game of Thrones as well as some Star Wars movies.

Onofrio’s fountain, Dubrovnik

Old Town, in addition to being the home of great cafés, restaurants and boutiques, is also home to Onofrio’s 16-sided fountain as well as the Orlando Column, depicting the legendary knight.

Orlando’s Column

The Rector’s Palace is where the symphony performs, but it also is a museum featuring exhibits of firearms and weapons. The statue of Marin Držić is near the palace. Considered the Shakespeare of Dubrovnik, rubbing his nose is supposed to bring you luck.

Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik

So many intriguing options for adventure if you are considering an Aegean area cruise. Your travel advisor at GetAway Travel can help you sort out your options. Ready, set, sail! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Eat well, drink well in the Veneto region

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Sure, pasta is king in Italy, but in the Veneto region, pasta takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. You are on the coast, so there is plenty of great seafood, including squid ink risotto and fabulously prepared octopus. You could be basking in the glory of the region and enjoying great food as well as Prosecco and special wine selections if you travel with GetAway on our group trip to the Greek Islands followed by our bonus Veneto trip in 2027.

Balcony at Juliet House – Verona

Salute! Great drinking choices

 The Veneto region is slightly smaller than the other wine-producing regions in Italy, but it generates more wine then any of the other regions. It is a geographically transitional area so the climate differences create areas where specific grapes can flourish.

Vineyard landscape in Soave

The region can be split into three different producing areas. The Northwest is the foothills of the Alps. The cooler climate gives fresh, crisp whites. In that same area, just north of Verona is Valpolicella and the subregion of Valpantena — giving us fruity intense reds, like Amerone. Traveling east of Valpolicella is Soave, home of the dry, white wine.

Vicenza gardens

Vicenza and Padua are in central Veneto and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero are produced there.

Anytime is a good time for Prosecco

Prosecco reigns supreme in the Northeast region. In 2019 this area received a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for its continued stellar production of Prosecco. Sweeter than champagne with bigger bubbles, Prosecco holds the lively taste of apple, pear, lemon rind, perhaps a hint of light flowers and even tropical fruit.

Sunset on the Piave River

The Northeast corner on either side of the Piave River, in the areas of Verona and Treviso is also the leading producer of Grappa. Using grape seeds, stalks and stems left over from the wine-making process, gives us the intensely flavored Grappa. Designed to be sipped after a hearty meal, it is served in a smaller glass and has a higher alcohol content than wine.

Grappa!

There are a number of wine route/Prosecco tours you can take, or take advantage of the many vineyard tours available in the region.

 

Aperoal Spritz is great on a hot day

We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the spritz. Order it in any bar, it is three parts Prosecco, and two parts Aperol (an Italian bitter make with gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — it has an orange hue) or two parts Campari (a pinkish bitter made with fruit and herbs).

 Mangia! Savor the cuisine

 Sure, you can get the traditional pasta in the Veneto region, but it takes a backseat to polenta and risotto. The pasta you get here is bigoli, a thick spaghetti made with buckwheat or whole wheat and eggs.

Bigoli pasta with duck meat sauce

Polenta is served as a side dish with meat and game. It looks like grits when served, or is formed, then sliced and toasted. It is made of corn ground finer than traditional polenta found in the United States and it is often white rather than yellow.

Mixing up a big batch of Polenta

There are substantial rice paddies around Verona where the paddy fields are flooded and irrigated by the River Tartaro. The rice is cultivated along strict guidelines and carries the country’s status of PGI or Protected Geographic Indication.

Radicchio Rossi di Treviso

Radicchio, grown near Treviso, also carried the PGI designation. Radicchio Rossi di Treviso is unique to this region. It can only be grown in limited areas around Venice because it requires nutrient-rich soil and spring waters. It also has strict cultivation processes including harvesting. Certain varieties are harvested and the heads tied and kept in darkness for two weeks. Another cultivation method involves harvesting and then washing the heads over and over again in tanks of water

It is served grilled with olive oil, which removes much of the bitterness, as a poultry stuffing, with pasta or in a tapenade.

Treviso

If you are offered the chance to have a dish that includes white asparagus, don’t pass it up. It has a milder, sweeter flavor than its green counterpart. It grows underground in the perfect sandy soil around Treviso.

Mussels

You’re near the coast, so expect mussels, crabs, anchovies, sprat (herring-like fish) and octopus.

Sarde in Saor

A great bonus is that there is a variety of fabulous cuisines in different areas. In Vicenza, try the asiago cheese. Creu is a hot horseradish sauce that usually accompanies meat and sometimes stew. It is made by mixing fresh horseradish with bread crumbs, vinegar and olive oil. Baccalà alla Vicentina is stockfish (an air-dried variety of fish) cooked with onions, olive oil, sardines, milk, cheese and parsley served with polenta.

Pandora cake

Enjoy rich stews in Verona with polenta as a side. Brasata all’amerone is beef braised in wine and pastissada de caval is a horse meat stew. For dessert, Pandora, a brioche style cake dusted with powdered sugar.

Oca

Padua options include lots of tasty chicken dishes as well as Oca in Padovana, a rich goose dish. You’ll find horse meat on the menu here, included with pasta, risotto or cut in small dried strips and put on pizza.

Squid ink Risotto

Depending where you are, you can order bigoli in salsa which is pasta in anchovy sauce, risotto al Nero di seppia which is risotto with cuttlefish ink, sarde in saor (sardines preserved in a sweet and sour marinade) and baccalà mantecato which is (oddly enough) North Atlantic salt cod soaked, cooked in milk and then pounded with olive oil to make a mousse or pate. It is eaten with polenta.

Focaccia

Risi e bigi is risotto with peas and pancetta. Try the focaccia, oven-baked bread topped with a variety of ingredients. Salvia Fritter is fried sage leaves. The leaves are lightly battered in a batter of flour, olive oil, egg whites and salt, fried and then sprayed with salt.

Cichéti, small plates like tapas

 Bar patrons out in the afternoon take advantage of cichéti at bars called bàcari. With a glass of wine or a spritz, enjoy small servings usually accompanied by some type of crostini. Polpettes are one of the popular items, small meat or fish balls. A version of sarde in saor is also served. It is usually sardines fried in oil and then flavored with raisins, pine nuts and white wine vinegar. It hits all the notes — sweet, savory, sour and salty. There may be sandwiches, little squids, hard-boiled eggs, olives, vegetables and items served on polenta.

Hungry for travel? Thirsty for adventure?

GetAway Travel has just the answer. Give our travel advisors a call and start your vacation plans, (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Art, history, cuisine make Veneto region a top destination

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The Veneto region of Italy is the northeastern area and it is the eighth largest region in the country. It was part of the powerful Venetian Republic for 1,000 years, from the 7th to the 18th century. The region has the most varied geography of any area in Italy. There’s an alpine region, hilly region, the plains and a coastal region. It is bounded by the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The capital of the Veneto region is Venice,

Enough of the nuts and bolts stuff. Prosecco is created in the Veneto region and tiramisu was invented here. It was the major center of the Renaissance movement. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a fabulous art gallery or a great museum. And, here’s the best news — GetAway Travel has Veneto region destinations on one of our planned group trips for 2027!

Padua, paving the way to the Renaissance

 Quaint streets, stylish cafés and a vibrant culture are attributes of this city credited with bringing naturalism to the country. No where is that more evident than in the Scrovegni Chapel. This UNESCO World Heritage site is Padua’s version of the Sistine Chapel. Hailed as one of Italy’s great Renaissance masterpieces, it took Giotto two years to complete. Dante, da Vinci and Vasari credit the fresco with bringing an end to the Dark Ages. It portrays biblical figures in humanistic depictions. The entire surface of the chapel is used to narrate the story of Christ from the Annunciation the Ascension. The chapel’s vaulted ceiling is a blue mantle of stars and a sculptural grouping of Madonna with child between two angels was done by sculptor Giovanni Pisano.

Scrovegni Chapel with masterpiece frescos by Giotto

St. Anthony is such a popular saint in the area that the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua is actually a whole complex that includes fabulous artwork and a convent. It took 70 years to complete the church. There are nine separate chapels with gorgeous frescoes.

Basilica of St Anthony – Padua.  Construction began 1 year after St Anthony died in 1231

Palazzo Bo is a Renaissance mansion that is the seat of Padua University, one of the oldest universities in the world. The university employed some the world’s greatest and most controversial thinkers such as Galileo, Copernicus and Casanova. The university recognized the first female doctor of philosophy, Eleonora Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia. University tours include the world’s first anatomy theatre and the Aula Magna, the great hall where Galileo lectured.

Interior courtyard – Palazzo del Bo

The university is the reason for another UNESCO World Heritage site in the city, the world’s first botanical garden. Created in 1545, it retains its original layout and the more than 6,000 plant species were created to study the medicinal properties of plants and herbs.

Padua – one of the oldest cities in Northern Italy

Verona: Italy’s “Little Rome”

 Dubbed “Little Rome” because of the large number of artifacts at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is a lovely mix of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance influences. Surrounded by fields of rice, and we’ll talk about the cuisine later, the city has its own amphitheater. Built around 30 AD, it is better preserved than the amphitheater in Rome.

Duomo di Verona

Shakespeare was so impressed by Verona he made the city the backdrop for “Romeo and Juliet” as well as “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Balcony at Juliet House – Verona

Casa di Giulietta or Juliet’s house, is a 13th century Gothic style house once owned by the Capello Family. You can tour the rooms which retain their traditional medieval style, visit the tiny — but famous — balcony and admire the artwork in the house. There is a statue of Juliet outside and tradition has that if you touch her breast, it will bring you good luck.

Statue of Juliet in Verona

Castelvecchio Museum is a fortress turned museum. Built in the 14th century, it was turned into two museums by architect Carlo Scarpa. It houses an impressive collection of art from the Medieval and Renaissance periods including paintings, sculptures, weapons and ceramics.

Castelvecchio Bridge and Castle in Verona

Climb the Torre dei Lamberti in the heart of Verona. Erected in the 12th century, it is the tallest building in Verona and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and countryside. It’s 368 steps to the top, or take the elevator.

Torre dei Lamberti Verona

Explore the city’s history at the Roman Theater Archeological Museum.

Vicenza: City of Palladio

 The city is known for its elegant building designed by famed 16th century architect Andrea Palladio. The sites include the Palladian Basilica, Palazzo Chiericati, palaces, public buildings, religious building and 16 magnificent villas. UNESCO recognized his distinctive style by making the City of Palladio a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Statue on top of Pacifica Palladinia Vicenza

The Olympic Theatre was built in 1580. Inspired by Roman theaters, it was Palladio’s final project. The elliptical shaped theatre creates the illusion of streets receding into a distant horizon.

The stunningTeatro Olimpico – Vicenza

Need some green and calm? Parco Querini is an oasis of calm. The 24-acre park includes manicured gardens, a gazebo in the middle of a pond and a tree-lined avenue off the Southwest side of the pond lined with a series of statues.

Parco Querini – Vicenza

The Church of Santa Corona was built by the Dominicans in the 13th century to house what they believed were relics from Christ and the Crown of Thorns.

Treviso: A cooler, calmer Venice

 The walled city of Treviso, with its quaint cobblestone streets, intricate set of canals and cute little bridges, is the other Venice. It’s a city surrounded with rich countryside where radicchio and Prosecco reign supreme, where tiramisu was invented and where high-end clothing manufacturers abound.

Main gate into Treviso

The scenic canals here are bordered with modern public art installations.

The famous fountain here is the Fontana Delle Tette. At the election of each new mayor the fountain would let city residents have free red or white wine, dispensed from the breasts of the statue in the fountain. Now, it only dispenses water the actual original fountain is housed under glass in the Palazzo dei Trecento.

Fontana Delle Tette Treviso – only water, no wine

The Treviso Cathedral is magnificent. It has seven domes and the majestic columned exterior has a wide entry staircase flanked by lions. The interior has stunning frescoes and artwork, including Titian’s masterpiece “Malchiostro Annunciation.”

Treviso Cathedral

The Museo di Santa Caterina has an outstanding art collection including some modern works from the 19th and 20th century. It is a beautifully restored former church and convent.

The Chiesa di Santa Lucia, the church of St. Lucy, is a small church, but its walls and vaulted ceiling are covered with beautiful frescoes.

Treviso

These destinations are part of GetAway Travel’s Discover the Veneto portion of our Aegean Sunset to Venetian Canals tour, and advisors are ready to help you sign up for that trip, or plan a trip of your own. Stop by later to read about the fabulous cuisine and wine that awaits you in the Veneto region and we’ll also tell you about our planned stops in the Aegean portion of the trip.

Interested in booking a place now or planning your own trip? We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

 

 

 

 

Experience the Magic of Back-to-Back River Cruises in Europe

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For those who love the idea of leisurely exploring Europe’s stunning rivers, back-to-back river cruises are the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of multiple regions. Imagine drifting from one enchanting city to the next, without the hassle of unpacking, connecting flights, or switching hotels. Whether you’re passionate about history, wine, or simply soaking in the scenery, combining two or more cruises allows you to create a truly unforgettable European adventure.

Double the Adventure, Half the Effort

One of the biggest perks of back-to-back cruises is how easy they make travel. You get to experience multiple itineraries in one seamless vacation, without ever needing to repack or worry about logistics. With smaller, boutique-style river ships, the transition from one journey to the next is effortless, leaving you free to enjoy the adventure at your own pace. This is the perfect solution for travelers who want to make the most of their time without the stress of planning a complicated itinerary.

Explore More of Europe in One Trip

Why settle for just one destination when you can explore more? A back-to-back cruise lets you sail through multiple countries and regions, from the romantic Rhine to the enchanting Danube, all in one extended journey. One week you could be admiring Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, and the next you’re exploring Vienna’s elegant palaces. It’s a chance to see Europe’s most iconic cities and landmarks in one amazing trip, all while traveling in comfort and style.

Best of Both Worlds: Western and Central Europe

A popular option for combining itineraries is the “Castles Along the Rhine” followed by a journey down the Danube. This allows you to experience the charming towns and towering castles of Germany one week, then continue on to the grand capitals of Vienna, Budapest, and beyond the next. It’s the perfect way to enjoy both Western and Central Europe, giving you a taste of different cultures, histories, and landscapes.

Middle Rhine Valley

A Feast for the Senses: French Food & Wine

For foodies and wine lovers, combining river cruises through France’s best regions is a perfect pairing. Imagine starting with a culinary journey through Burgundy and Provence, with stops in Lyon and Avignon, and then continuing on to Bordeaux, the heart of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. From tasting fine wines to savoring gourmet meals, this combination offers a true feast for the senses.

Enjoy the Intimate Luxury of Smaller Ships

One of the most enjoyable aspects of river cruising is the intimate, boutique experience offered on smaller ships. With fewer passengers, you’ll enjoy personalized service and a relaxed atmosphere that’s more akin to staying at a luxury hotel than being on a large ocean liner. This makes extended back-to-back cruises even more appealing, allowing you to unwind and enjoy each leg of your journey without distractions or crowds.

Whether you’re looking to explore Europe’s rivers in depth, indulge in world-class food and wine, or simply relax as you sail through breathtaking landscapes, back-to-back cruises are the perfect way to experience it all. With so much to see and do, these extended journeys offer a leisurely yet luxurious way to discover Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Expert Guidance from GetAway Travel

At GetAway Travel, we specialize in crafting personalized, unforgettable travel experiences, and our expertise in European river cruising is second to none. Whether you’re interested in combining itineraries or looking for the perfect back-to-back cruise, our team is here to help every step of the way. We’ll guide you through selecting the ideal routes, handling logistics, and ensuring you get the most out of your journey. With years of experience in luxury travel, we know how to tailor trips to meet the desires of baby boomer travelers, providing seamless planning and exclusive perks to enhance your European adventure.

Picturesque Venice: A beautiful, serene floating city

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There is just something so romantic about the idea of visiting a city built on water. Venice and its canals have provided a backdrop to many romantic movie scenes and its every bit as awesome in person. Venice is one of the stops on a planned GetAway Travel trip, but your travel advisors at GetAway can accommodate your wish to travel to the Floating City any time you wish! 

 Water, water everywhere 

 Venice, the capital of Northern Italy, is built on a series of more than 100 islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Since there is a finite surface area for building, residents continue to upgrade their homes and the classic palaces and estate homes — fabulous examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture — line the canals. There are no roads in Venice, so where ever you wander on foot, you will find something worth seeing since the city’s history goes back more than 1,000 years. 

Enjoy elaborate architecture and stunning art-filled palaces. Use gondolas, water taxis and canal boats to get around. A pro tip: you can’t just hail a gondola like a taxi in New York. If you are interested in a family tour or a romantic couples’ trip, reservations are necessary. 

There are things to see on every canal, but do plan a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. 

If you are taking a boat tour, or touring on of the other famous sites, you may find yourself standing in line waiting to buy a ticket. However, Venice, like many European cities, has something called “skip the line.” Your travel advisor can book tours or entrances to venues in advance and you can just — skip the line and gain entrance without wasting your precious vacation time. 

Rialto Bridge, Venice

 Palaces, paintings and piazzas 

 The city is divided into six sestieri districts, or neighborhoods with their own character, including San Marco which is the central district. The Piazza San Marco is a prime people watching spot and it’s where you will find St. Mark’s Basilica. It is decorated with art treasures seized during the fall of Constantinople. There are miles and miles of gold mosaics covering the domed ceilings and walls. The golden altar piece was put in the basilica in the early 12th century and eventually encrusted with 2,000 gems and precious stones. Walk across the Rialto Bridge to San Polo. The ornamental stone bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Venice  and a great place to take photos. 

Giant’s staircase Doges Palace

Vendors at the Rialto Market sell fish, produce, spices and some artisan products, but the San Polo district has great artisan shopping options and find designer items in the Calle Delle Mercerie or Calle Larga XXII Marzo areas. 

The Lion is the symbol of St Mark

Other churches of note include Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Santa Maria Gloriosa was started by the Franciscan monks in 1340 and it has some spectacular art pieces including a wooden statue of St. John the Baptist. While palaces and churches in Venice feature ornate facades of limestone and marble with ornate architectural embellishments, Santa Maria dei Miracoli is an exception. Designed by architect Pietro Lombardo, the facade is entirely of matched colored marble which creates intricate more ethereal designs. The interior is just as lovely. 

The Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia, was founded in 1750 as a sort of artist incubator and now it houses works from Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Titan and Giambattista. The more than 800 paintings chronicle the evolution of Venetian art from the 14th to the 18th century. 

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a museum for modern art lovers. One of the first contemporary art museums in Italy, it has works by Pollock, Klee, Mondrian and de Chirico. It is located in a partially completed palace, the Palazzo Venir dei Leoni. 

 

Don’t skip a water taxi ride to Murano and Burano 

There are two great museums on lagoon islands a short distance from central Venice. Murano is home to the Museum of Glass. Glassmaking is a hot, fiery — and in the 13th century — potentially dangerous process. Especially dangerous to homes crowded together which was allegedly the reason why Murano was established as the area where all glassmakers were ordered to live. As a side note, it also meant the process was safeguarded in one area. Today, Murano glassmakers create everything from small items to huge, elaborate chandeliers. Watch a glass blowing demo at the museum and also learn the history of the art. 

Murano, Italy

Burano is a Venetian lagoon island renowned for its striking, brightly painted houses and delicate, handmade lace. According to historians, the homes were brightly painted to help guide fishermen in through the mists that rise up from the lagoon waters. 

Burano Island, Italy

From 1872 until the 1970s, the Lace School on Burano was in operation. The museum in the palace Podestá of Torcello has lovely pieces on display as well as videos about lacemaking and interviews with some of the school’s last students. 

 If you need help navigating the ins and outs of visiting Venice, want to join the group tour or want to design a vacation of your own with GetAway Travel, we’re here to help. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Italy will never be a normal country and we love it that way.

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“Italy will never be a normal country. Because Italy is Italy. If we were a normal country, we wouldn’t have Rome. We wouldn’t have Florence. We wouldn’t have the marvel that is Venice.”

-Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy…

The Piazzetta San Marco
Gondolas on the Grand Canal

 

Some things are always a work in progress

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For example, it seems that every single Google app we use always seems to be in beta version.  Not a bad thing as one can assume it will (hopefully) keep getting better and better.

Such is the case with our GetAway Travel Pinterest pages.  Always room for improvement, but it is actually starting to look better.   We have a wealth of great photos from our trips that we love to share to help inspire our clients.  Eventually we will get more photos posted, but there is only so much time in the day – and – planning great vacations for you will always come first.  For now, please enjoy and let us know what you would like to see more of.

On our “Places We Love” board, we’re messing around with the new Pinterest feature that shows on a map where all the pins are located.

We do have other passions besides travel!

Here is a very small fraction (so far) of wineries we have visited

and of course our Wheaten friends

 

You may have the universe if I may have Venice

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Well the famous quote is actually “You may have the universe if I may have Italy”, by italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.

But we thought we’d narrow it down just a bit and go with only Venice.  One Frommer’s guide describes Venice as “…a preposterous monument to both the folly and the obstinacy of humankind.  It shouldn’t exist, but it does much to the delight of thousands of tourists, gondoliers, lace makers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and glass blowers.”  What’s not to love about where Folly Streets and Obstinacy Streets intersect?

Centuries ago, barbarians roamed around Europe, looting, pillaging and making life miserable for the common man.  To escape, Venetians moved off the mainland and out to a flotilla of fairly uninhabitable islands in the middle of a lagoon.  There they simply proceeded to create the world’s most beautiful and unusual city.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Palazzo Ducale
Punta della Dogana
Looking down into the square from the bell tower
Venice lagoon
A view from the top of the bell tower.
St. Mark is always shown as a Lion
The Piazzetta San Marco
Gondolas on the Grand Canal
Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore
Campanile di San Marco

We hate to brag, but…

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We love our clients and work very hard to make sure all of their travel dreams come true.

As the majority of our business is from word of mouth referrals, it’s always great to get feedback to see how they enjoyed their vacations.

Here is some of our most recent feedback:

 “GetAway Travel Service is the company that we used for our recent trip to France and Italy. They spent a lot of time with us to help us decide where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. They took care of all of the details and provided all of the information we needed to avoid stress when we were there. Everything went flawlessly. I highly recommend Sue Adams and Paul Adams at GetAway. Consider using them for your next trip!”

These clients took an amazing river cruise in France and then while they were already in Europe, we sent them on a luxury tour of Italy (Venice, Rome, Florence).

“We booked our 25th anniversary trip with them this summer. When the plans changed (beyond our control) just 5 days before our trip, Paul and Sue booked us an entirely new trip and took the stress away! We are already booked with them next year.” 

These clients had booked a Celebrity Galapagos cruise over 1 year in advance.  Literally days before departure, the cruise was cancelled (very rare circumstances).  We quickly scrambled and sent them on a dream cruise to Alaska.  We worked with the cruise lines to get them an upgrade on their Alaska cruise stateroom, and got full refunds on their air and cruise for Galapagos.   They have already rebooked their Galapagos cruise for next year.

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