"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Venice. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Florence has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
Travel Agency Recommendations
- Affresco Luxury Travel
President: Carolina Santarelli (YPO)
E: affresco@affresco.it | T: +39 348 255 1580 - Context Tours
- Dream and Charme Experiences
For travel in Italy, Spain & France
Contact: Barbara Mori
E: b.mori@dreamcharme.com cc: m.mazzucchelli@dreamcharme.com
T: 39.02.80503457 and 39.02.89011933
Index
- Frosch Travel
Contact: Judith Wolf
E: judith.wolf@frosch.com | T: 847.572.0242
Judith planned the most amazing trip to Italy for our family. Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist 2021-2023. - Monica Balli Travel
E: Monica@monicaballi.it | T: +393929923813
"Monica offers personalized event planning, concierge service and bespoke travel experiences across Europe."
Other resources:
- YPOer contact in Italy: Andrew Fattorini
E: andrew.fattorini@gmail.com - Star Hotels
Contact: Elisabetta Fabbri
E: Ypo@starhotels.it
“YPO concierge - she gives special rates for YPO. - Jason Squatriglia
"Jason arranges all of private cars worldwide."
EMBARK Beyond | T: +1 (631) 942-5102
- Italy in Style Travel
Contact: Leonora
E: leonora@italyinstyletravel.com
“has amazing team all over Italy and can provide a very special experience.” - The Thinking Traveller
“If you are looking for a villa in Italy, France and Greece, I can highly recommend.”
Guides in Italy:
Angelo Chiarlone
T: +39 335 6744266
“He went to Boston College with me and an awesome fellow! Excellent!”
Rosi Guia Italia
T: +39 338 407 2508
“Rosi is the one we have been using over many years. She is amazing and will hook you up with guides all over Italy.”
Dining Recommendations
- Antiche carampane
- Al Covo
- Corte Sconta
- Campo Santo Stefano, lovely food, must book.
- Interpreti Veneziani, Vivaldi concert from 9 till 10.30 pm opposite the square from the restaurant. It was a superb, 9-piece orchestra, all strings.
- Cafe Gratitude on Rose in Venice for a very So Cal experience of a Vegan
- Corte Sconta – Michelin Starred
- Cip’s Club
- If you go to Burano island do not miss Da Romanò
- Harry’s bar
- Linea d’ombra
- Officina Ormesini
- Quadri – since 1830, is now Michelin starred
- the Glam - Michelin star chef Enrico Bartolini
- Ristorante Giorgione in Via Garibaldi
- Sea Bass grilled and Tartufo
- Venissa - on an island, fine dining
Marco's Best Venice
Biennale:
- The Giardini OK, Arsenale better. Buy a 2 day ticket, multiple entry 30 Euros.
- Some good Pavilions = Australia, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, USA (Joan Janice), Danish Pavillion (Dan Vo) and South Africa (we watched the Truth and reconciliation video) in the Arsenale , also Kentridge in the Italian Pavillion is good (also Arsenale but at the end).In the main hall,"Tearing of the book" and a number of other works, Gwen liked the main building.
- Giardini - Japan pavilion, Marco loved it. Israel pavilion, interesting.
"Offsite" things to see:
- Cy Twombly at Ca¹ Pisaro
- New Zealand Pavilion - Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana - basically at San Marco
- Pavilion of Angola - if you are in the area ¬ very central ¬ near Beezy¹s show - Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello, Palazzo Pisani ¬ near Campo San Stefano
- Palazzo Fortuny - great exhibition - Campo San Beneto 3780,Gwen and I loved this exhibition.
- Punta Della Dogana – “contemporary museum owned by Francois Pinault - Dorsoduro, 2 - Vaporetto stop: Salute (line 1) - "Slip of the tongue" Gwen loved this exhibition.”
- Palazzo Grassi – “same owner, Martial Raysse (French artist) retrospective. Interesting, great building.”
- Guggenheim has a show of Jackson Pollock¹s brother - Charles Pollock, some of Guggenheim collection always on show.
- Sean Scully - very good show
- Peter Doig exhibition at the Palazetto Tito
- Armenity - Something which got a lot of attention is the Armenian Pavilion (also won the prize for the best national pavilion) on an Island, opposite the Giardini in an Armenian monastery. Shuttle vapereto from Giardini from 1 pm every 30 mins, only open in the afternoon.
- The National Pavilion of the Republic of Armenia
- The Island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni - “The water- so lovely. We purchased a multi-day Vapereto pass, mainly used no 1.. suggest print the timetable to know frequency, especially for late at night..”
- Zimbabwe Pavillion - Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, Calle della Pietà, - near San Marco - easy to find Church then must ask to find Zim - round back on 2nd floor.
- CA Formenta - “we stayed in Gwen's little spot, CA Formenta, on Via Garibaldi, as its close to the Biennale.” ~ Marco