Postcard from Venice
We say that someone from the Local Foreigner team is always on the road, visiting destinations across the globe - but we really mean always. Our monthly Postcard takes you along for the ride, and this month, we're just back from Venice.
There are few destinations in the world that capture the imagination like the City of Bridges, a place where contrasts make the magic. It's faded and crumbling and impossibly beautiful because of that - not in spite of it. Its reputation as crowded with tourists can be true in a small square of the city center, but turn down a single alleyway and you can get completely lost, more likely to run into a contented cat than a cruise ship passenger. In the morning, watching the water wake up from the windows of your hotel is a singular travel joy; at night, the canals are dark as ink, and silent boats slide by, leaving only a ripple and an echo of laughter in their wake.
When in Venice, there is always something to be discovered. The city's maze of islands, bridges, alleyways and canals makes it an easy place to get lost in the charming culture. The best way to get to know the city is to wander through its piazzas, museums, shops and cafes. When in Venice, take up the leisurely Italian way and enjoy the romantic setting in aimless exploration.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Is there any hotel in Venice more lushly Venetian than the fabled Gritti Palace? With interiors draped in velvet and brocade and walls hung with gold-framed oil paintings and antique mirrors, a stay at the Gritti is as integral to the experience of the city as cicchetti and passing gondolas. Despite all the beauty inside, don't forget to draw aside your damask curtains for views of life on the Grand Canal. The palazzo dates back to 1475, and was home to the famous Gritti family for hundreds of years before ever becoming a hotel. Located directly on the canal, a five-minute walk will bring you right to Piazza San Marco. In the shoulder season - which is our favorite time to visit - the property offers perks like additional hotel credits or discounted second rooms for families (your advisor can talk you through all the details!) And we love a December visit as well - the Gritti Palace does it up big for the holidays, with hand-blown Murano glass ornaments and thousands of twinkling white lights. | View the hotel
Aman Venice
A veritable exhibition of design prowess, Aman Venice is a celebration of Rococo opulence and contemporary minimalism. Inside the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, the hotel’s frescoed ceilings and silk tapestries evoke the grandeur of historic Venice, while sleek furnishings and understated accents separate the Aman from its traditional neighbors. Signature Aman offerings – first rate spa facilities, locally inspired cuisine, in-touch concierge – are all on hand, and with two private gardens and an exquisite bar, leaving the property might be harder than expected. | View the hotel
Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel
Located on Giudecca Island, a five-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, the Hotel Cipriani feels like a private oasis, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. The hotel’s opulent interiors are matched by its stunning lagoon views, which showcase the dome of St. Giorgio Maggiore and St. Mark’s Campanile. This is pure movie star glamour Venice, where ageless women swan around the pool in Pucci kaftans and everyone's tanned a shade of mahogany. Only open from June through September in 2025 due to a spring renovation, travelers looking for the rare combination of Venetian culture and a resort feel should lock in their summer dates before cold weather comes. | View the hotel
The St. Regis Venice
Occupying a privileged position across the Grand Canal from the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and San Giorgio Maggiore, The St. Regis Venice is an opulent oasis in the heart of Italy's most picturesque city. The hotel opened in 1895 (coincidentally also the year of the first Biennale), but didn't become a St. Regis until 2019, following a meticulous renovation. Italiante gardens and art deco decor give the St. Regis a more contemporary feel than some of its neighbors, attracting a young, sophisticated crowd of worldly and art-focused travelers. At its doorstep, Teatro La Fenice, locally owned boutiques, and independent art galleries put visitors within walking distance of all Venice has to offer. | View the hotel
The three historic palazzo buildings, including the 14th-century Palazzo Dandolo, that comprise the Hotel Danieli will become a Four Seasons next year, marking the brand's fourth hotel in Italy. Located steps from Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, this is a very big deal.
Work is also underway at the historic Hotel Bauer, which first opened in 1880 and has stood on the Grand Canal ever since. In its new life, it will open as a Rosewood, joining the brand's Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany and an upcoming Rome property.
Cip's Club
Few hotel restaurants are as legendary as Cip's Club, the Belmond's casual outdoor affair with waterfront views of St. Mark's Square. Swing by for an afternoon spritz or enjoy dinner and watch the world go by -- few dining experiences in Venice are as delightful as this.
Osteria Alle Testiere
This tiny restaurant is decked in funky "testiere" - old headboards that hang from the walls. Grab a corner table and watch the hustle and bustle, as you munch on the chef's take on classic local seafood dishes, which change with the seasons.
Al Timon
You can order perfectly cooked t-bone steak by the kilogram at this tiny stylish bacaro on the Ormesini canal in Cannaregio, so make sure you come hungry. A young, hip crowd gathers on the two boats moored outside, drinking spritz al bitter and snacking on creative cicchietti late into the evening (just be sure to use the right term, per the hand scribbled sign reading, "Si cicchetti no tapas!")
All'Arco
A crazy-busy hole-in-the wall with mouth-watering cicchetti, All’Arco is the quintessential Venetian bacaro. There are bulging sandwiches and crostini topped with any number of goodies including creamed cod, anchovies and onions, salami, or vegetables.
Trattoria Antiche Carampane
Step into the quaint atmosphere of this cozy family-run restaurant, decked in photographs and filled with a boisterous staff. Take your place at the 14-seat table, and feast on typical trattoria plates - the antipasti and second plates are particularly strong. Don't miss the house specialty, spaghetti in cassopipa (spicy shellfish sauce).
La Zucca
It's not specifically a vegetarian restaurant, but the romantic, canal-side dining room of La Zucca (aka "the pumpkin") does offer a huge range of high-quality vegetable dishes, from the signature pumpkin-and-ricotta flan and potato cakes to zucchini-and-almond lasagna. The seasonal menu (Italian only, but the staff speak English) also includes plenty of meat dishes, such as succulent rabbit with white wine, and lamb with spices. End with one of the homemade cakes - pear cake with ginger or the "spices tart" with red wine and raspberry.
Cicchetti and Gondola Experience
Start with a private boat ride to the lively Rialto market district, where you can explore the historic market bustling with locals and overflowing with fresh produce. Dive into Venetian cuisine by sampling cicchetti, the city’s famous appetizers, at local bars. Taste an array of specialties, including baccalà mantecato and marinated seafood, showcasing the rich flavors of Venice. End your experience with a serene private gondola ride, gliding through the picturesque canals of this romantic city. It’s a perfect way to embrace the charm and traditions of Venice.
Private Mask Making Workshop
Visit a renowned mask-maker’s studio, where you’ll learn about the history and significance of various mask styles, from the iconic Plague Doctor to the Bauta, used in political rallies. After drawing inspiration from the gallery, get hands-on with all the tools you need to create your own personalized mask. A fun and creative experience, this workshop lets you take home a unique souvenir from Venice!
Gems of Venice by Titian and Tintoretto Tour
Calling all art history fans! Join your private guide to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari where you’ll have the opportunity to admire great works by Venetian master painters. You’ll learn all about conditions in 15th- and 16th-century Italy in order to help you place these magnificent works in their historical, political, and social context. Next, you’ll visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco which was founded by an affluent and prestigious religious brotherhood in the 15th century. Here, you’ll see spectacular religious images intended to educate on both the intellectual and moral levels. Jacopo Tintoretto’s genius is on full display here in an unforgettable collection that he painted over the course of his 25-year collaboration with the Scuola.
Shakespeare by Train
The Bard loved Northern Italy; Two Gentlemen of Verona (which some believe to be his first play) and Romeo and Juliet are set in fair Verona, while Othello and Merchant of Venice both unwind along the canals. The two cities can be connected by train in under an hour and a half.
Art Attack
Art Basel runs June 19-22, 2025 in Basel Switzerland; if that's not enough contemporary art, you can then jet down to Venice for Biennale, which focuses on Architecture in odd years and will be held May 10 to November 23, 2025.
The Marco Polo
Many places claim Marco Polo, but the explorer was born in Venice around 1254 and there's a plaque to prove it. For a double dose of culture, pair La Serenissima with Istanbul (or Constantinople, as it was known when he visited.)