What to visit during a boat tour in Venice and in the Lagoon?
Rich with islands that emerge from the water, Venice conquers for the beauty of its small hidden corners or for its many streets and canals that reveal architectural treasures. City of undisputed charm is one of the most popular tourist destinations for foreigners and meta obligatory for all lovers.
A weekend or a mini cruise will take you to the heart of the lagoon. A sailing trip, in fact, will allow you to discover Venice from a privileged point of view, avoiding endless crowds and streets crammed with tourists.
Surrounded by the islands of the lagoon, populated by monasteries, ancient fishermen's houses and green hills, you will breathe in the quiet and suspended atmosphere of the past. This is the case, for example, on the island of Sant'Erasmo, also known as Venice's vegetable garden. Green and populated by fields, gardens and canals, it is the second largest island in the Venetian Lagoon.
This island once overlooked the sea, before the construction of the northern dam of the port of Lido, which created the tongue of land of Treporti.
Discover the island of Torcello, famous for its artistic and architectural treasures, such as the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Inside the basilica complex were numerous mosaics, some of which are now on display in the Louvre.
It is definitely worth visiting Murano and Burano. They are true artist's palettes with their glass workshops and their lace workshops. Burano has always been a fishermen's village with its picturesque multicolored houses: one of them is the famous "Bepi's house", unique in its kind because it is decorated with multicolored geometric shapes.
Sailing along the coast of Lido, with its luxurious hotels and Art Nouveau villas, you can catch sight of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, San Servolo, Poveglia, Santo Spirito and San Clemente, the island on which the elegant Palace Kempinski is located.
These are some of the itineraries on the Lido.
There are plenty of itineraries to choose from. The Bacino di San Marco, the Canale S.Nicolò, Punta Sabbioni, the Lio Piccolo coastline, the island of Poveglia, S.Spirito, S.Clemente, the canale della Giudecca, the Church of the Redentore, Sant'Andrea and the Certosa are just a few examples of the navigable routes.
The routes are many and varied.
Being guided by the wind and by a local skipper is the best way to experience the charm of the lagoon, discover alternative routes and suggestive places. And what could be more exciting than spotting the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's bell tower from the bow of your boat?
When to go on a sailing trip in Venice?
On a climatic level, the best time to take a boat cruise in Venice is from April to November. In particular, you can organize a weekend boat trip in Venice in the mid-seasons, from mid-April to June and in September and October. Or treat yourself to a week in July and August, which are the hottest and most suitable months for swimming in the lagoon.
July is also the month of the Festa del Redentor one of the most heartfelt religious events in Venice. For two days, a floating bridge is set up that connects the Zattere pier to the island of Giudecca, creating a pedestrian passage to the Redentore Church. After the procession, the Fireworks at midnight, which illuminate the magnificent lagoon, are a must.
It is in winter, however, that the lagoon becomes more fascinating with that fog that creates a muffled atmosphere and especially because it is the season of New Year's Eve and the famous Carnival of Venice. On board your boat you can admire the festivities in St. Mark's Square with the characteristic Volo dell'Angelo (Angel Flight) or at midnight on Shrove Tuesday you can watch a blaze of fireworks that illuminate St. Mark's Basin and the entire lagoon.
What to visit on a sailing trip in the Gulf of Trieste?
The Gulf of Trieste, ancient home of sailors and mariners, is full of beautiful manors overlooking the sea and walks in the middle of the falesie that furrow the Karst of Trieste.
Meta ideal for sailing trekking, the most famous path is the Rilke path that connects Sistiana to Duino Castle. Built on a limestone spur, this manor stands in an enchanting position that fascinates all boaters for its panorama.
Sailing in this gulf offers a unique perspective from which one can admire the jagged coastline that alternates between pebble beaches and rocky cliffs surrounded by dense vegetation.
Sailing along the coast, one's gaze is captured by the antique Venetian-style villages and its famous castles, such as that of Miramare, among the most famous destinations in the area. Erected on the promontory of Grignano at the behest of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg, this residence is fascinating for its history and enviable location. Overlooking the expanse of sea, the castle welcomes a mix of architectural styles and is surrounded by a large park.
Characteristic harbors, Venetian-style bell towers and sparkling beaches form the backdrop to the sailing, during which you can relax and skirt the Muggia Mountains and the waters of the Vallone di Muggia that separate it from the city of Trieste.
From Trieste you can also head towards the Istria and reach the most beautiful towns on the coast of Slovenia and croata. One above all, Piran with its medieval structure, narrow streets where the houses stand next to each other and the influence of Venice that you can breathe in every corner.
You can also reach Umag, Novigrad, Porec, and maybe continue to Rovinj where it is worth stopping at the fishermen's port for a taste of fish with your crew.
When to go on a sailing trip to Trieste?
Trieste is ideal in the months between May and mid-October when the climate is warm but not scorching and the days are sunny with little wind. From November to February, the climate is harsh and there can be days of bora, a katabatic wind, whose gusts reach up to 120 kilometers per hour and prevent navigation.
A chance not to be missed.
An opportunity not to be missed to come to Trieste is participate in the Barcolana, historic sailing regatta held on the second Sunday in October in the Gulf of the city. Schedule a weekend sailing and take part in the Autumn Cup is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. During all days of the event the areas of Trieste Seafront and Piazza Unità d'Italia are a riot of colors, flavors and experiences with the Barcolana Village. In short, there is an entire week of events waiting for fans to celebrate.
