Executive summary
The two couples going on the Venetian excursion have different interests. It is important therefore that the trip sufficiently covers these interests. For this reason, the whole one week shall be made up of diversified excursions which shall accommodate the different interests. There will be different excursions which will include sightseeing as well as learning more about the heritage and the culture of the Venetian people.
Several service marketing strategies that shall be employed are also explained in this report. These strategies include product promotion as well as incorporating physical evidence in any information that is to be passed to the couples prior to their flight to Venice.
The honeymoon for couple A shall be a blend of romantic outings as well as party filled outings such as clubbing and going for dances. For couple B, the excursion will not involve noisy and very vigorous activities. Their excursion will give them a chance to explore the Venetian culture and history. They shall go to the museums as well as restaurants serving traditional food.
Apart from that there are some excursions that will allow both couples to meet and mingle with the Venetian people. All these activities are going to be fun filled and accord them a holiday to remember. The report shall include day by day activities that the couples shall go through.
The Venice Excursion Plan
Italy is a culture rich country. Apart from that it has several resorts that are both exotic and romantic. The First Couple is looking for a romantic setting that they can enjoy their honeymoon and serenity. Apart from that they are seeking to enjoy what Italy has to offer. They are young and therefore are on a budget. The second couple is a bit old. They are interested in the historical side of the city.
Among the 7p is the use of physical evidence (Hunt, 2007 p. 279). Prior to their flight, the tourists shall be treated to photography as well as videos shoeing the places that they should expect to visit once they get to Venice.
Apart from that the potential tourists shall be allowed to talk to other people who have been on some of these excursions. This is a way of marketing the services that shall be offered. A good marketing plan is one which entices the potential customer to really want to be part of the experience.
Therefore in the marketing, there is need to stress how the product (in this case the holiday and the honey) shall be one of a lifetime.
Personal promotion shall also be involved in the marketing of the product (Webster, 2005; Bambale, 2011). The two couples shall be given tour guides. The tour guides shall be carefully chosen.
Couple A shall have a young tour guide. While couple B shall be given an older tour guide. This is important as each tour guide shall be in the age brackets of the different couples. Through this, the tour guides shall be able to understand the needs of each couple.
The marketing strategy
The marketing strategy that shall be employed in this instance shall include process, physical evidence as well as people (Magnini, 2011 p. 149). Efficient and proper employment of these elements of the strategy shall have the effect of influencing the potential customer’s choice (Wang, 2011 p. 32).
The people that shall be involved in this instance shall include the tour guides. In order to gain confidence of the customers, they (the customers) shall be informed that the tour guides are people who are staying in Venice and have an apt knowledge as well as the history of the place.
Day One Thursday
Arrival at the hotels
Couple A shall stay at Hotel Al-Sole The cost per couple in this hotel is approximately ninety Euros per night. The choice of this hotel is influenced by the fact that it is a cosy and romantic place.
Its prices too are not expensive. Apart from that the choice is also dictated by the fact that the hotel is located near the cities and the nightlife is also lively in this area. Being young couple they might be interested in the night life that exists within the Venice city.
Couple B shall stay at Hotel Albarella. The hotel choice is influenced by the fact that this is an older couple and their interest is in the culture and history of the Venice city. Their hotel is also in a quiet place as it is assumed that the couple wouldn’t love a noisy place. That’s why the hotel chosen is one which is a little bit out of the city. Close to the hotel is a water way. The couple may be interested in water games such as fishing.
Being the arrival date, it is assumed that both couples will be tired and therefore rest is recommended for both couples. The camping ground shall be in the Fusina Tourist village. The serenity offered by this village is beautiful and it is strategically positioned to give a full view of the Venice City. The facilities here are normally accessible throughout the year and this means that it is a convenient place. The village lies close to Brenta River.
Cruises and sailing Excursion
Cruises sailing and water tours are also fun activities to be enjoyed in Venice. This is especially possible because of the many canals that exist in the place. Another reason why such activities are important to the couples is the fact that these are not easily available in where they come from.
The pictures of the canals as well as the fan sports that can be performed on them shall be sent to the couple prior to their flight. Again the promotion being carried out shall be dependent on the physical evidence that is offered (Michael & Al-Abdali, 2003 p. 623).
Apart from camping grounds, there are restaurants and supermarkets. The village is therefore self-sustaining as campers can easily get anything that they want.
The restaurant is a good place for mingling with other campers while the camp is best suited if a couple wants to keep aloof. The two couples will spend an evening in the restaurant. After that, they shall proceed to the camps where there is a bonfire and eventually they will retire to their tents.
In marketing this service, the promotion being portrayed is a kind which gives the customer a one stop shop (Goi, 2005 p. 5). In this case, the customers’ supply needs are covered within the village. The village is seen to be an umbrella offering all sorts of products (Morgan et al, 2003 p. 370).
Day Two: Friday
Camping in Fusina Tourist Village
There are several camping grounds in Venice. This shall be done jointly by both couples. The place offers an excellent and memorable experience. The village itself is renowned for its wide array of different types of activities which are carried out in the city.
The Fusina tourist village has been chosen because it offers a lot more apart from just camping. The couples will definitely find happiness here because there is a wide array of activities in the village. Apart from that it harbours, a lot of other tourists thereby making it a multi cultured small village. This creates a very fertile ground for social interactions.
Requirements for the camping shall be catered for separately. Below is a brief breakdown of the costs that shall be included in the camping. The most important shall Tents which shall be hired at a price less than 10 dollars. Three tents shall be hired. Two for the two couples and an extra tent for the tour guide. The tour guide shall also watch over the couples.
During camping the couples shall decide whether they want their tents to be close to each or apart. During the campaign, the couples have an option of mingling with other revelers on a camp site restaurant. They can go there if they want to meet other tourists. Alternatively, they may decide to have a serene camp with a bonfire at the camping site.
Camping Cost breakdown
Day Three: Saturday
A visit to Albarella Beach
This is an eight kilometer beach in Venice. It is along the and therefore quite accessible. Couple A will visit this place because it offers enough privacy and can therefore be a wonderful place for their honeymoon. There is also the Albarella Island which is within a nature reserve.
It therefore offers. The island is famous for harbouring over two million trees and therefore a very beautiful place especially for those who want to enjoy the sumptuous natural beauty. Again there is need to understand the customer (Michael, 2006 p. 13). The word Albarella is said to mean the Poplar Tree.
The island is suitable for couple A because it is only accessible to those living in that hotel. For this reason, it shall offer a quiet and nice privacy for the two couples who just want to enjoy each other’s company.
During the walk to the beach the couple shall be treated to a very wide array of different species of tree that have grown along the road. The couple shall also view the beautiful beach that exists at the Albarella.
Cost Breakdown
Day Four: Sunday
In the morning there shall be a joint breakfast between the two couples. This shall aim at giving them an opportunity to discuss with each other their experiences in Italy. After the breakfast, the two couples shall then head to the church. Couple A will get this chance to go to church and offer their gratitude to God. Couple B, who loves culture, will get this as an opportunity to further learn the religious culture of the Italian People.
Church is a strong part of the Italian culture. The churches are normally built in ancient Roman designs. Inside the church there are paintings and carvings which will definitely be of interest to couple B. The best church to go to while in Venice is the Saint Mark’s Cathedral.
This church is well endowed with great architectural design as well as history. It is actually believed that the body of Saint Mark was buried in that church. The domes of this have been inspired by Byzaminte architecture. There are five domes in the church which represent the magistrates’ chambers.
In the afternoon, the two couples shall meet for lunch together. The lunch is to be taken in the hotel. This being a Sunday, the two couples will then part ways in the afternoon. Couple A will visit the Grand Canal. This is a large throughway in Venice. Here the couple can have a ride in the water as they tour the Grand Canal. They will also get to see the Great Bridge from the waters.
At night, they couple will have a dinner at a serene restaurant. It will be wine, dine and dance. Since they are young, it is assumed that they love fun and dancing is one of them. They will go to a restaurant and have a quiet dinner. Later on, they would have a slow dance before retiring back to their hotel for bed.
Couple B will go to the theatre to watch a play. Their age means they are old; this is why a theatre has been chosen for them. In watching the play, the couple will also be getting a chance to learn more about the Venice culture. After all, plays normally integrate culture involved.
Day Five: Monday
Walking and biking excursions shall be a fun activity for both couples. Both coupes being fit, it means that they wouldn’t mind enjoying a fun physical activity together. This shall be part of the Venice Gondola trip. This shall include a guided walk through the Gondola place. There shall be a walk to the Doge’s Palace.
Walk excursion
Walk through the Saint Mark’s Cathedral. Close to the Cathedral is the San Marco Square. For a better enjoyment of this walk the couples are to buy a tour guide known as the Secret Itinerary which goes for about sixteen pounds.
The Doge’s palace is rich in history especially in the administration of the city. There also exists a fascinating old roof structure which has lasted for over five hundred years old. Closely linked to this City is the Casanova jail. The couple will get a chance to learn more about the history associated with the city.
The next stop shall be the famous Saint Mark Bell Tower. There is further history to be learnt here regarding the development of the church. The saint Mark church was destroyed and the tower is a replica of the damaged church. The tower was built in the year 1912. The excursion shall lead the couple to the top of the tower to have a beautiful view of the city.
The next stop shall be at the Clock Tower. In Venice, it is referred to as Torre dell’Orologio. This shall be done with the help of a tour guide. In order to enjoy the fascinating view that is offered at the top of the clock tower, there is a need to get the relevant permissions. The tour guides will have sorted this out prior to the trip.
From there the following stop shall be at the Scuola grande DI San Rocco. This is a very beautiful guild house that was built along time ago. The couple is likely to enjoy this as it’s a good illustration of the great artwork that exists in Italy. Inside the guild, there are mirrored ceilings. The purpose of this mirror is to give the visitors a proper view of the building.
In order to appreciate historical developments, the couples will visit the Jewish Ghetto in Venice. This visit has to be made on Thursday because the market and ghetto are busy. This stems from the fact that on Friday evening shops are closed and there is less activity because the Sabbath is approaching.
On Saturday, the couple will find the Jewish in this place exercising their faith. It is important to note that the Jews are a minority in this place. This therefore means that it shall be interesting to see how the minority exercise their right to worship in this place
Day Six: Tuesday
This will be a shore excursion day. In the morning, there shall be an excursion that goes to the Bassano Del Grappa. This is a very small medieval town that is exists just close to Monte Grappa. This excursion shall be for couple B. It is a suitable place for people who want to explore Venetian villas.
The old couple is interested in luxurious trip and therefore this is why the excursion has been chosen for them. To reach there, the couple will decide whether they shall be driven by a private taxi or if they are willing to take a train. A train is expected to take around one and a half hours.
The place is also beautiful and can accommodate both couples in terms of their interests. It’s important to take note of the customers’ interests (Alipour & Darabi, 2011, p. 449).
A visit to the markets shall provide further insights about the people of Venice as well as a good opportunity to mingle and trade. It shall be good as food in the restaurants is also cheaper as compared to other places. A walk to the Rialto market is a must for couple B.
This shall allow them to buy presents to take back home as well as some souvenirs to keep for themselves. The Rialto is one of the biggest markets in Venice. The markets serve the interests of different shoppers. Apart from that there are many restaurants.
It is a nice place to interact with the Italian people. It is a typical market and everything is found in this market (McNeill, 2012 p. 245). Its history goes beyond eight hundred years ago. This market has fewer tourists compared to the San Marco Piazza. Therefore it is a better place to interact with the indigenous inhabitants of the city.
Another recommended walk is along the Giudecca canal. This is a sunny walk and through this walk the couples shall get a chance to witness some very nice sites. For instance from this place, the couple will get a chance to see how a Gondola is made. These are boat like structures which people ride through the canals. The place is also known as Zattere.
Food Wine and the nightlife shore excursions
The couple B will visit the Antico Martini. This restaurant was established in the year 1720 and has been in operation ever since. It is one of the well known luxury restaurants in Venice. It is a very important figure when it comes to culture as well a business people.
The restaurant normally invites several experts such as very qualified gourmets who come to give the place an excellent taste. The ambience is unforgettable. Since couple B is interested in luxurious restaurants they will find the Italian luxury in this restaurant. Couple A will go and have a dinner at the Restaurant Antiche Carampane.
This is situated somewhere near the Rialto market. Here they serve some Venetian cuisine. The setting is quite familiar to the revelers and unlike Antico Martini; it does not have a thick expression of the Venetian culture apart from the food. Since Couple A are not interested in the culture and they are also focused on the budget, this shall be a good place for them.
It also offers them a good view of the Rialto Bridge. Balancing the financial needs of the customer is also important (Robertson et al, 2011 p. 123). The need to balance luxury and quietness for the couple B is important. For Couple A, it is important to ensure that they get a romantic honeymoon.
Dinner at Restaurant La Caravella
The older couple will visit the Restaurant La Caravella. This was established in the 1960s. This place offers a traditional setting and is favourable to Couple B as they have an interest in the tradition of the place. It is normally open throughout the year.
During that time, they serve their customers in traditional courtyard. The service in the courtyard is normally done during May to September.
Dinner at DoLeoni
On this day, Couple A will have their dinner at Do Leoni. The Hotel is also known as Londra Palace. The place offers some very amazing food.
Their prices are very reasonable. For the reasonability in the food price is important for the young couple. Apart from the good food and reasonable prices there are also different forms of entertainment which the couple might like. Reasonable prices should match the quality service (Angelova & Zekiri, 2011).
Italia is greatly known for its pizza. In Venice, there are several places to get food. Apart from that there are also nice places where there is wine. Couple A shall go to Hotel Do Leone.
This hotel is well known for its first class service and the best thing is that its rates are not exorbitant. There are also night clubs. Couple B being young would surely find these clubs to be nice places.
After the dinner the couple will head to the Campo Santa Margherita. On this evening, the couple will be treated to great music in the Club.
They shall get an opportunity to get Italian drinks as well as dance the night away. As much as clubs are normally packed, the couple will find this to be interesting because it will be their first time in Venice.
Day Seven: Wednesday
Hiking place near San Giorgio Maggiore
This place is along the St. Marks. This shall be for couple A. The choice for this excursion is influenced by the fact that this couple wants to enjoy each other’s company. A hike will give them an excellent opportunity for this. The couples are expected to carry their own clothes and boots suitable for the hike. There shall be a guide who will lead the hike.
The hike shall be on foot and if the couple is tired they can ride on the Gondola. Apart from that they can also take a taxi. The tower budget is as shown below:
The price is also another factor why this excursion shall fit couple A is the reasonable rates. Being a little bit economically conscious the rates shall suit them better. They can ride the gondola on their way back. A gondola is a boat like structure which is used to ferry people along the canal. It is a popular means of transport and does not cost much. It is also used for touring the sites in Venice.
Couple B shall go fishing. The choice for this activity is based upon the fact that they are an old couple and therefore need not be engaged in vigorous physical activity. In the afternoon, the couple shall attend a walk in the city and visit an art gallery at the heart of Venice.
This is influenced by the fact that the couple appreciates art. The art involves paintings by renowned artists. Different architectural designs exist in the buildings that are along the streets. These designs also carry with them a long history of the city and the nation as a whole. For tourists who love history, this is a place to remember. There is a lot to be learnt too.
Culture based excursions
Culture and theme based excursions are also exciting in Venice. Couple B is more interested in the cultural aspect of Italy and therefore they will find this to be more interesting. Despite several paintings and architectural designs there are cinemas too which offer a wide array of Italian movies.
Couple B will particularly find Cinema as a better option because they wouldn’t like to be in noisy places. Apart from that, the cinema shall also remind them of their youth. The important thing is to ensure that customer satisfaction is achieved (Shi & McNeill, 2006 p 149; Knox et al, 2003).
Day Eight: Thursday
Preparations to fly back home
Visit to the churches for couple B. This being the date of departure, there shall be little activity. This is in order to make the couple take time to prepare for their journey back home. The couple shall also visit the other big churches within Venice.
They shall relax and have a resting time as they wait for their journey back. It is also important to know the feedback from the client (Cursus, 2011 p 95). Couple A will have a short visit to the Rialto market. This will allow them to have an opportunity to buy some presents and souvenirs for their friends back home.
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