Uncovering Venice & Iceland
UNCOVERING THE STUNNING LOCALES IN OUR LATEST AD — AND WHY WE LOVE THEM
A waterfall in Iceland plunges into a canal in Venice. Icebergs drift off palm-lined Caribbean beaches. A Thai night market pulses with life as the sun sets behind a Tasmanian mountain range. Every shot in our ad merges two distinct places into one surreal image. The effect is sublime — disorienting even — but in the best way possible. Just like travel. And, because this ad is all about sailing beyond borders and experiencing new corners of the world, we thought we’d focus on some of the gorgeous locations you see (all of which you can visit with us), and share what makes them so special.
Dorsoduro — Venice, Italy
In the opening shot, a gondola glides through Dorsoduro, one of the six sestieri that make up the city of Venice. Sure, when you think of Venice, you probably think of iconic, bucket-list sights like the Piazza San Marco, Saint Marc’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace, all of which are worth the trip. Just make sure you leave some time for Dorsoduro. It’s a bit off the beaten path (or canal in this case), but it happens to be home to some of the city’s best things to see and do. We love the quiet, less-crowded feel of Dorsoduro, which buzzes with a thriving community of artists, designers, and students, who come here for the area’s world-class art schools and museums.
In fact, museum-hopping is one of our favorite things to do in Dorsodoro. The Gallerie dell’Accademia, founded by Napoleon in 1807, features more than 20 rooms of paintings by the greats of the old Venetian School. Fans of modern art will enjoy the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, with its permanent and revolving exhibits of works by the 20th century masters. And the Ca’ Rezzonico, a marble-fronted palace designed in the 17th century, is worth a visit for the incredible architecture alone and the frescos that decorate its awe-inspiring spaces.
As for the artists of today, you’ll find them hanging out at Campo Santa Margherita, the urban heart of Dorsoduro. Browse the produce and fish markets, indulge in scoop of fresh-made gelato, and sit down for a spritz — a cocktail made with either Campari or Aperol and some prosecco. With some of the best bars in the city here, you can party with the locals late into the night.
Dorsoduro is also one of the best places in Venice to shop. The prices here tend to be lower than in some of the city’s busier areas. Take a stroll down Calle Sant’Agnese, where you’ll find everything from Murano glass jewelry to art galleries.
All this exploring is bound to make you hungry, and Dorsoduro doesn’t disappoint when it comes to restaurants. But we like to eat our way around the neighborhood by hopping between its bacari — cozy bars where you can try delicious (and reasonably priced) small-plate snacks any time of day.
One last fact about Dorsoduro: it’s home to the Squero di San Trovaso, one of the last remaining gondola workshops in Venice. That gondola you see in our ad? There’s a good chance it was made right here. So if you visit Dorsoduro, not only can you ride in a gondola, but you might even get to see one in the making.
Skógafoss — Iceland
As for the towering waterfall we magically morphed into Venice, that’s Skógafoss in Iceland. This island nation is full of stunning natural wonders, from the geothermal baths of the Blue Lagoon to the otherworldly ice caves of Skaftafell, and Skógafoss is among the best. It’s two hours from the capital of Reykjavík, a journey that’s as rewarding as the destination itself, taking you past volcanic mountains and quaint towns to Iceland’s picturesque southern coast.
There, Skógafoss looms nearly 200 feet tall and stretches 85 feet across. There’s so much spray that nearly every time the sun is out here, you’ll see a waterfall (or two) shining across the curtain. So it’s apropos that local lore says an ancient settler buried his chest of gold underneath the waterfall.
You can marvel at Skógafoss from its base, but if you’ve got the energy, we recommend climbing the stairs to a viewing platform at the top for a perspective — and roaring sound — you’ll never forget. Just don’t forget to bring a raincoat. If you’re really adventurous, you can hike the trail that leads up the Skógá River, where even more waterfalls and incredible natural formations await.
All this, and we’ve only just covered the first shot of our ad. Stay tuned, because we’ll be revealing even more about its remaining breathtaking locations in the days and weeks to come.
