DAY 1: UK - Venice.
Fly to Venice where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your cruise ship, MS Michelangelo. Your cruise includes full board from dinner this evening until breakfast on day 6. (D)

DAY 2: Venice - Taglio di Po - Polesella.
This morning, we start our enchanting journey by setting sail in the beautiful Venice Lagoon and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. During the morning, enjoy the many facilities and comforts on board or simply relax and sunbathe on deck. After arriving in Taglio di Po at lunchtime, why not take an optional excursion to Padua? This picturesque town is enclosed by ancient walls and has a latticework of arcaded streets opening out into a beautiful central piazza. The tour of its main sights takes in its famous Basilica of St Anthony and allows plenty of time to stroll around its charming streets, which provided the setting for Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'. Afterwards, rejoin your ship and continue sailing to Polesella. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Polesella - Ferrara - Verona - Taglio di Po.
This morning visit the beautiful medieval town of Ferrara, awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. Ferrara has several breathtaking palaces, dating back to the 14th century, which hosted the court of the house of Este. Rejoin your ship for lunch before visiting picturesque Verona, a feast for the senses and famed as the setting of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. With a long roll call of sights including a dazzling Roman amphitheatre, completed in 30 AD, a cavernous medieval Basilica, a fine central piazza and Juliet's legendary balcony, this beautiful city has justifiably been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Taglio di Po - Chioggia - Venice.
After breakfast this morning, arrive in Chioggia for a morning in this typical Adriatic fishing port at your leisure. Standing at the southern tip of the Venice Lagoon, this lovely town was the first line of defense against the armies that waged war against Venice in medieval times. Sometimes regarded as a miniature, and quieter, version of Venice, this morning lets you stroll along its canals, sip a cappuccino or frappé at one of its many open-air cafes and soak up its relaxed, sleepy atmosphere. This afternoon, we continue sailing back to Venice where there's free time to dip your toes into this entrancing city at your own pace. Perhaps admire its stunning Rialto Bridge and magnificent Doge's Palace, meander along its latticework of canals to discover hidden piazzas or just watch the world go by in glorious St Mark's Square. Alternatively, why not ensure you see all its fabled landmarks and learn about their history on an optional guided city tour? (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Venice - Lagoon islands - Venice.
This morning why not join an optional sightseeing tour to two colourful and charming islands in the Lagoon? The tour includes enchanting Murano, famous for its glass-blowing industry, where terracotta-painted houses flank quiet canals, pretty churches and fascinating glassworks and museums. The second port of call is the island of Burano, at the northern end of the Lagoon. A centre for lacemaking, this captivating place is famed for its brightly-coloured houses, arched bridges and lacemaking school and museum, the latter keeping alive a traditional craft practiced here since the 16th century. In the afternoon, more time to explore the delights of Venice at your own pace, perhaps by revisiting some of the monuments, churches and galleries. Or why not view the city from its most legendary mode of transport, the gondola? An optional gondola sightseeing tour is an unmissable opportunity to see its ornate mansions, faded palaces and grand monuments from the best vantage point - the water. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Venice - UK.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to Venice airport for your flight to the UK. (B)