Kayak Discovery Tour in the Lagoon of Venice, Italy
This exploratory kayak tour takes you to the key historical sites of the Venetian lagoon: you will sail around the islands of Sant'Erasmo and Vignole, known as the "vegetable gardens" of Venice, and the fort of Sant'Andrea, built to protect Venice from enemies!
Highlights:
Venice
Kayaking
Sant'Erasmo island
Lazzaretto Nuovo island
Vignole island
La Certosa
Sant'Andrea fortress
Includes:
A guide
Kayak rental
Life vest
Ergonomic paddle
Not included:
Water bus tickets to and from Sant'Erasmo Island (you can purchase tickets onboard).
This kayak exploration trip will take you to the most important historical sites in the Venetian Lagoon: paddle around the lagoon islands of Sant'Erasmo and Vignole, renowned as Venice's "vegetable gardens," and the Sant'Andrea fort, built to protect Venice from its attackers. You will discover the origins of the term "quarantine" on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo, rest in a secret, hidden natural area on the island of Certosa, and admire the cityscape of Venice from a unique vantage point. The starting point will be the island of Sant'Erasmo, which you will reach via water bus. You will bring your kayak here and be taught the fundamentals of paddling and safety guidelines.
The journey will continue to Lazzaretto Novo Island, where the Venetian Republic established the concept of "quarantine island," which was subsequently disseminated worldwide in the following years. In 1468, the island was transformed into a hospital with contagion prevention duties: it held warehouses used to check commodities suspected of being infected with the plague epidemic.
Following that is Vignole island, which, like its neighbor Sant'Erasmo, is a horticultural stretch of land. We'll go to Certosa Island (or simply "La Certosa"), which used to be inhabited by monks until being expelled by Napoleonic laws in the nineteenth century. Lastly, see the Sant'Andrea stronghold, which was built by architect Sanmicheli in the 16th century in the middle of the lagoon in front of the harbor mouth facing the Adriatic Sea, will be a real hidden gem that can only be reached by kayak. You will return to your starting place at the end of the journey.