Any mention of Venice conjures up images of gondolas gliding through narrow canals, romantic bridges spanning waterways and historic architecture rising straight from the water. But there’s so more to this iconic city than meets the eye — especially for those willing to visit Venice by boat.
So join luxury yacht Kairos and get on the water to discover a coastal world full of hidden islands, serene lagoons, and a completely different side of Italian life. Because a true visit to Venice doesn’t stop at the tourist-laden city center, there is far more to this iconic destination than meets the eye.
Venice is a city built for boats
Venice is unlike any other city in the world. It has no roads, only a labryinth of waterways which makes traveling by boat not only charming, but essential.
The Grand Canal serves as the main “street,” and smaller canals wind like veins through centuries-old buildings. Exploring by boat allows you to experience Venice the way it was meant to be seen — from the water.
Why Explore Beyond the Canals?
While the historic heart of Venice is undeniably alluring, it’s worth stepping off the well-trod tourist track to explore life beyond the city.
Climbing aboard luxury yacht Kairos enables you to see a whole new side of Venetian life, taking in the wider area before sailing through the Gulf of Venice to the pretty Adriatic port city of Trieste.
1. Discover the Lagoon’s Secret Islands
Enclosed by the Adriatic Sea, the entire Venetian Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dotted with fascinating islands that have long provided sanctuary for the Venetian people. With so many stories to tell and much history to unpack, exploring here is simply unforgettable. And, as the area is neither land, nor quite sea, the only way to get around is by boat!
Head to Murano, famous for its glass making or to Burano where you can take instagram-worthy snaps of the brightly coloured houses and delicate lace shops. Or call into peaceful Torcello, one of the oldest settlements with a catherdral dating back to the 7th Century.
2. Sail the Gulf of Venice
Stretching from the Istrian peninsula across to north eastern coast of Italy, the Gulf of Venice offers plenty of culture, historical ports and excellent sailing. Heading east from Venice you will voyage past historical Grado, located on a lagoon island with golden sandy beaches and bright turquoise waters. Step ashore here to lose yourself in the pretty narrow streets or soak up the sun on the soft sands.
3. Visit Trieste
From there its on to the port town of Trieste where you’ll find the impressive Miramare castle which yawns out to sea on the clifftops. Entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste offers an eclectic mix of Italian, Slavic and Austrian cultures which gives it a distinctive charm.
As a region very much dominated by water, any visit to Venice needs to be by boat and joining one of our sailing holidays allows you to see beyond the tourist hotspots. Sailing across the Gulf of Venice you can take in the culture, call in at traditional towns and see far more than you could if you were travelling by land.
So climb aboard the beautiful yacht Kairos and uncover north east Italy from a whole new angle.
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