"Venice is unattainable. If reincarnation exists, I'd like to spend my next life in Venice — to be a cat there, anything at all... but it must be in Venice."
— Joseph Brodsky, in an interview with Sven Birkerts, 1979
This journey is an invitation to glimpse the true Venice — to visit a dozen Venetian palazzi, with gardens quietly scarred by Napoleon in the early 19th century. And, of course, to touch Brodsky's Venice: the Dorsoduro district, the Zattere promenade, and the hotel where the poet stayed — and where his first verses were written.
Where Venice leans toward the lagoon
Beneath the frescoed ceilings of Venice's oldest café
Through Dorsoduro and the Zattere
Rising from silence and stone
From palazzo salons to legendary trattorias
A city that reveals itself only from the canals
Day 1
Aperitivo at Caffè Florian. Private after-hours visit to the Basilica San Marco. Dinner at the Gritti Palace
Independent transfer to the hotel (we're happy to assist with arrangements). Check-in and time to rest.
Evening aperitivo at the historic Caffè Florian — a first meeting with one another.
A first encounter with Venice: guided walk through Piazza San Marco. Private, after-hours visit to the Basilica San Marco — reserved exclusively for our guests. Dinner at the Gritti Palace restaurant.
Day 2
Historic palazzi and gardens reshaped by Napoleon. Private evening with a Venetian count. Dinner at Aman
After breakfast, we set out to explore Venice in depth. We'll visit historic palazzi and stroll through gardens first laid out — then reshaped — by Napoleon in the early 19th century.
Lunch and time to rest.
In the evening, a private boat will take us to yet another palazzo, where a meeting with the resident count awaits. Dinner at the Aman restaurant, Palazzo Papadopoli.
Day 3
Dorsoduro, the Zattere, the poet's hotel and a café by the water. Dinner at Da Ivo
Exploring Brodsky's Venice. We begin in the quiet Dorsoduro district — far from the crowds — where Vyazemsky once stayed, where Peggy Guggenheim lived, along with Russian ambassador Kochubey, the architect Ruskin, and others.
We'll walk along the Zattere, the 'Quay of the Incurables,' and uncover the origins of its name. From there, we'll wander through hidden alleyways untouched by shopfronts, peek into secret gardens, and visit the hotel where the poet settled — and where his first verses were written.
We'll pause at a quiet café on the waterfront, the view from which reminded him of the Neva. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner at the classic Venetian restaurant Da Ivo.
Day 4
Visit with artist Robert Morgan. Venice by water. Lunch at Cipriani. San Michele island and Brodsky's grave
We begin the day with a visit to artist Robert Morgan — Brodsky's close friend, to whom he dedicated The Quay of the Incurables. Robert will share personal memories of their long friendship and welcome us into his studio.
Next, we set off by private boat to explore Venice from the water and learn the stories behind its storied palazzi. Lunch at Cipriani on the island of Giudecca.
In the afternoon, we'll visit the island of San Michele, final resting place of Joseph Brodsky, as well as Diaghilev and Stravinsky. There, we'll read Brodsky's verses aloud — then return to Fondamente Nove, passing one of Venice's most beautiful hospitals and a church that holds paintings by Titian and Tintoretto. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5
Breakfast and departure
Breakfast and departure.
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