Accommodations - Hotel Relais Alcova del Doge *** Superior

A dog friendly hotel with the romantic atmosphere of Venice!

The Relais Alcova del Doge hotel is located in the town of Mira along the River Brenta, halfway between Padua and Venice. Upon entering the Villa we find ourselves in the lovely hall leading the way to the dining hall and the garden terrace, a wonderful spot to have breakfast when the weather is fine. All the rooms afford a wonderful view of the River Brenta and the nearby park, providing a pleasant and tranquil stay for the guests. There are 13 romantic rooms in the hotel with a furnishment prudently chosen to reflect the characteristics of the antique style and to create a cosy environment. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, LCD television, a safe, a mini-bar and own bathrooms.  

Should you plan a trip to Venice, Relais Alcova del Doge has the following options to offer:

• by bus, 35 minutes, the bus stop is only 150 meters (~ 500 ft) from the accommodation
• by train, 20 minutes, the railway station is located 2 kms (~ 1.2 miles) from the accommodation
• by ship, from the port of Termina Fusina, located 8 kms (~ 5 miles), a memorable experience on the Venice lagoons

Venice, Queen of Lagoons

Venice as a seaport city is one of the richest towns of the world as regards its architectural monuments and cultural heritage. Built on a group of islands in the lagoons, Venice is connected through more than 400 bridges.

Each island creates a unique community, they all have their own guardian saint, church, central square, palace and noble family. The S-shaped Canal Grande flowing accross the city, connects the railway station and the St. Mark’s Square. With its 175-meter length and 56-82-meter width, Piazza San Marco is one of the most beautiful squares of the world, its whole area is covered in marble. Large groups of pigeons visit the place, almost any time of the day. The square is surrounded by the St. Mark Basilica dating back to the 11-15th centuries (home of the mummified remains of Saint Mark), the Clock Tower (15th-century astronomical clock), the Doge’s Palace (residence of the Venetian Republic’s supreme authority), and the Campanile (10th-century belfry).  

The best way to explore Venice is probably by water bus, the so-called „vaporetto”. Travelling along the Canale Grande you can admire more than 100 palaces on the riverbanks. The Doge’s Palace stands out from these magnificient edifices as it has been the residence of the doge since the 9th century, filling both governmental and judicial roles. The palace is linked to the building that once served as a prison through the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). The bridge represents the last sigh of inmates sentenced to death, thus the name. The 16th-century Bridge Rialto (created by Antonio da Ponte) is the busiest spot of the town, until the 19th century it was the only permanent connection on the Canale.