Venice
Luxury Travel to
Venice
You’ve been walking around the crazy maze of streets, turn a corner and– wow! Right in front of you, an octagonal building, clearly a church, with a monumental dome. Curious, you walk around the foot of the building, then up majestuous stone steps to the entrance.
Inside, you are amazed by the beauty of the sculpted marble altar and the ornate geometric patterns of the floor under the dome.
It’s just like your AAV local guide told you: in Venice, you’ll see amazing beauty at every turn.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about Venice
The Queen of the Adriatic, the Floating City, the City of Canals, La Serenissima… Venice has many names, probably due to the many emotions this beautiful, extravagant city inspires in us. This single city is composed of 118 islands, 150 canals and 400+ bridges, originally built on 10 million underwater logs brought from the forests of Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.
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The independent Republic of Venice lasted for more than a thousand years, 697 AD – 1797 AD, when it was dissolved by Napoleon.
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Roman refugees, fleeing Hun and Germanic attacks, founded the city in the 5th century. The actual building began in 402 AD.
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The most famous Italian greeting has its origins in Venice. Over time, the original phrase “s-ciavo vostro” (“your servant” or “your slave”) was shortened to … “Ciao”.
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The world’s first casino opened its doors in Venice in 1638 and now hosts the World Poker Tour. A great place for historic gambling.
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The competition is fierce to become a gondolier in Venice—several hundred candidates for three to four licenses per year. Top gondoliers earn up to $150 000 per year.
Venice travel guide
Where to stay in Venice?
There are many choices for luxury hotels in Venice—but, if what you are looking for is extraordinary luxury, AAV has found it for you.
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani, located on Giudecca Island, has two sections; one is a modern luxury hotel and other, the 15th century Palazzo Vendramin. The exquisitely decorated rooms combine Venetian elegance and glamor with modern comfort. All the suites in this hotel have private balconies or terraces, great for relaxing in front of enchanting views of the lagoon.
La dolce vita meets history meets glorious location. The Gritti Palace is an exceptional site, even by AAV’s rigorous standards. The 15th century Palazzo, situated on the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, houses a private art collection, an amazing restaurant, a cooking school, a rooftop, terrace-bar overlooking the city… and, of course, beautiful rooms and suites, lavishly decorated.
The St. Regis Venice has taken a different approach. The rooms and suites are decorated with a sleek modern design, that minimalist, elegant luxury that only the Italians can master, and perfectly showcase
the exceptional views of the surrounding city. Something rare in Venice, some of the guestrooms have private terraces, and one of the suites has its own roof garden.
A short walk from the Piazza San Marco, Aman Venice is located in the Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the eight monumental palazzos on the Grand Canal. Rococo artwork, the restrained elegance of Jean-Michel Gathy interiors, private gardens, opulent dining venues…everything at the Aman Venice is sumptuous and sensuous. Perfect for a romantic getaway.
Imagine a luxury resort on a private island, complete with a beautiful outdoor pool, luxury spa, gastronomic restaurants, and elegant, spacious rooms and suites—all minutes away from Saint Mark’s Square by private boat. Add historic architecture, a 12th century church, and lush Mediterranean landscape, and you have the San Clemente Palace Kempinski. What’s stronger than “Wow”?
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in Venice
Crafty Venetians
Discover the many traditional handcrafts from Venice on an artisan tour. You will learn about glass blowing on Murano, lace making on Burano, goldsmithing, crafting jewelry, creating the exquisite Venetian masks from papier-mâché, bookbinding, making the lovely, marbled paper … Venice has protected, and cultivated, its most beautiful handcrafts.
Bacari tour
The word Bàraco, a traditional Venetian tavern is almost always used in the plural form—bacari—because true Venetians go to several places during the course of the evening. Like a true Venetian, your AAV local guide will take you to some of the oldest, most authentic, most interesting bacari in Venice.
Sunset tour by boat
The Serenissima is never more beautiful than when seen from a private boat, touring the canals and lagoon as the sun sets. While others mass together along the Grand Canal, you and your beloved sip prosecco and feel as if the beautiful colors of sunset are yours alone. Very exclusive, very romantic.
Maritime exploration
Explore the lagoon and the surrounding islands on an elegant yacht. Your skipper will take you to see sites curated to your interests: perhaps the fabulous Byzantine mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the natural reserve of the wetlands, or the famous vineyards of the Venissa Estate on Mazzorbo.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
Venice is intemporal. Saint Mark’s Basilica, breathtaking panoramas from the top of the Campinile, some of the world’s most famous art collections—all are amazing at any time of year.
Venice in winter:
There are much fewer people in Venice in winter, which makes visiting the Doge’s Palace or walking around the labyrinthine city all the more enchanting. End January to mid February, the celebrated Carnival takes place, with marvelous masks and sumptuous costumes, luxurious parades, exclusive parties and balls. It is a great time to see the wealth and history of this amazing city.
Venice in spring:
Late spring is a wonderful time to visit Venice. Like winter, there are fewer tourists. The days are warmer, making a gondola ride more appealing. The gorgeous sunshine makes a walk by the sea, along the Lido, enchanting. And the Royal Gardens near St Mark’s Square, are in bloom and absolutely lovely.
Venice in summer:
Summer in Venice is all about ‘villeggiatura’ — an intrinsic Italian concept all about slow, sensuous summers. The days are long, the weather is gorgeous. Anything is possible for those who know how to savor. Summer is the best time to enjoy the sandy beaches on the Lido seaside and swim in the Adriatic.
Venice in autumn:
Autumn is the start of the season at La Fenice Theater, Venice’s historic opera, and so a great time to visit. It’s when the moeche crab loses its shell, and so becomes an exquisite, easy to eat delicacy. It’s also when the Sagra del Mosto wine fair, takes place in Sant’Erasmo.
Travel tips about
Venice
With its sumptuous churches, its exquisite palaces, and its intimate, almost secret courtyards, Venice is, itself, a luxury, a precious jewel. Be sure to set aside time just to wander through the streets— you’ll be surprised at all you’ll see. With so much water in and around the city, a boat outing is a must, either in a gondola in the canals of the city center or a motor boat further out on the lagoon.
Here are a few more ideas to take you off the beaten path and into the heart of the Queen of the Adriatic:
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Study up before you go
A great way to prepare for your trip is by watching one of the many movies filmed here. Our favorite is The Tourist, with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. The movie’s many scenes in and around Venice will whet your appetite.
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Paradiso del cibo
Venice truly is a foodie heaven. For an overview of the immense variety of seafood found in the lagoon, visit the renowned Rialto Market early in the morning. Be sure to taste the Caparossoli clams, the Venetian soft-shell crabs, and the city’s most famous dish, bignoli in salsa.
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Secret Gardens
When you think of Venice, you think canals, buildings… but not gardens. There are almost 500 gardens in the city. Six are public, the rest are private, including the Eden Garden on Giudecca Island, the Biennale Giardini, and the Scalzi monastic garden.
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Narrow street
One of the narrowest streets in the world, Calletta (small street) Varisco is located near Campo San Canciano. It is only 53 cm wide, so if you reach out your arms, you can touch the walls on both sides.
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For boating afficionados
The Vogalonga takes place end May each year. The event is open to boats of any weight and size, as long as there are no motors, so you see gondolas, of course, rowboats, crew, kayaks, and stand-up-paddle navigate the 30-kilometer course through the Venice Lagoon.
Plan
your trip
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