Part 3 Summary

It is two weeks before Aschenbach can begin his holiday, and he finally arrives at the island of Pola in the Adriatic Sea. The location does not fulfill Aschenbach's needs, so he revises his travel plans for Venice, the ultimate destination for anyone looking for a fabulous location. Passage is arranged on a decrepit ship manned by a hunchbacked sailor and an old man with a beard like a goat's.

The other passengers on the ship appear to be a group of young people with the exception of one gaudily dressed old man trying to appear as if he is one of the group. Aschenbach occupies himself with a book until he falls asleep, and the journey to Venice is complete.

Aschenbach boards a waiting gondola and settles in to enjoy the scenery until it becomes clear that the boat is headed in...