Once the heart and brains of a maritime republic that dominated the seas, Venice is now undergoing a massive restoration. Head to the ancient city with your favorite history and architectural buffs and see the Old World landmarks from Saint Mark’s Basilica to the Grand Canals in a private tour with the city’s top restoration expert. In the evenings, retire to your luxurious accommodations at the Hotel Cipriani on the island of Giudecca. At your leisure, select an evening to dine inside the 11th-century Gothic masterpiece Doge’s Palace. With an Italian count as your guide, receive a closed-door tour of the palace’s restricted areas, including the Doge’s personal apartments guarded by the statues of gods Mars and Neptune. Then, relax on the terrace, overlooking the main courtyard with magnificent views of the city, for a lavish candlelight dinner — perhaps accompanied by a cellist.