There is no better way to get acquainted with Venice than by water. Inseparable from the city itself, the canals and waterways of Venice have inspired the musings of Hemingway, Byron, and James, among others. Context's Venice by Boat orientation is designed to give you a taste of the rich history and architecture of Venice. While we'll spend our last hour passing through the iconic Grand Canal, the first portion of our journey will allow you to get acquainted with some of the smaller islands, such as the cemetery island of San Michele and San Servolo, former home of an important Benedictine convent. These islands have played historic roles in Venice and continue to do so, with San Servolo currently used as a site for international conferences and events. From our private boat, our docent will point out the important aspects of these islands, as well as introducing you to the characteristics of the different Venetian neighborhoods, known as sestieri. A veritable jewel box of opulent Venetian architecture, the Grand Canal, which serves as the main artery of Venice, will end our orientation. Our docent will point out noteworthy sites and palazzi, as well as help you get oriented to this complex and unique city. As an orientation, this experience is lighter in flavor than our in-depth walks and is usually led by docents who currently live, or have lived, in Venice for a number of years. We will spend a certain amount of time explaining the sites along the route; but we will also try to situate you in the city, orient you to the major areas, and answer any of your questions. In short, it is an excellent walk to take at the beginning of your stay here. Please check our cancellation policy for questions about the orientation and inclement weather before making your purchase.