Top Venice Unique Experiences

Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.

Kayak through the historic canals of Venice on this eco-adventure tour. Following your expert kayaking guide, paddle through the canals that are known as the arteries of Venice. Learn about the history and culture of the Italian city through your guides' commentary while getting a unique aquatic perspective. Participants of all levels are welcome; no kayaking experience is necessary. Instruction and use of all equipment is included.

Get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. Tour the facilities at Colleoni Glass Factory and watch a master craftsman shape molten glass through a combination of heat, blowing and sculptural techniques. Visit the factory showroom to see beautiful finished works of art, and receive a special Murano glass souvenir to take home.

Swap the schedules and historical focus of conventional tours for a private walking tour of Venice with a local who’ll show you the city like a friend. Tell them what you fancy doing, and enjoy a personalized tour enriched by their grassroots knowledge. Explore often-overlooked neighborhoods; discover sights and eateries favored by locals; and get transport and cultural pointers to help ensure you get the most from your visit.

Meet your host, Massimo, for a fun and informative cooking class. Shop for ingredients at the Mercato di Rialto, then head back to Massimo’s for a lesson in Italian cuisine. Learn to prepare dishes from the Veneto region and make homemade pasta and focaccia bread from scratch. After the lesson, enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together.

Venetian masks have a long and storied history: during the republic’s heyday, they were used to conceal the identities of residents who engaged in decadent activities. In their masks, peasants and noblemen were equal. Make your own Venetian mask (yours to keep), adorned with sequins, ribbons, and other fineries, under the tutelage of a local artist. All materials are provided.

Learn the secrets of glassblowing during this activity in Venice. Visit the Glass Factory Showroom near St Mark's Square to see examples of this highly specialized glass art, beloved by collectors the world over. Learn about this technique's origins in the Roman Empire from you guide, then watch a glassblowing demonstration by a Master Artisan.

For this private mask-decorating workshop in Venice, arrive at a traditional atelier, and get a blank sand-colored mask that’s ready for your artist eye. Use feathers, sequins, and other materials to make a masterpiece. Your guide will share facts about the history of mask making and can also show you some great techniques to use. Afterward, you’ll get to bring home your decorated mask.

Led by a knowledgeable local chef, this immersive experience will take you on a journey through the vibrant Rialto Market, and discover the freshest local produce and explore the culinary traditions of Venice. Through a hands-on cooking class, you will learn the secrets of creating authentic Italian dishes, including handmade pasta. The culmination of the experience is a mouthwatering lunch, accompanied by local wine, to savor your culinary creations.

Enjoy a local's eye view of Venice by joining this small-group cooking class led by a Venetian-born host in their home. In a small group of no more than 10 guests, learn how to make fresh pasta, then sit down together to enjoy a 3-course meal accompanied by a glass of white wine or Prosecco.

If you've already indulged into plenty of Italian wine and pasta, get to know local chocolate with this tasting. A master chocolatier guides you through some of the best products in the shop, telling you everything about the ingredients and production. Your experience includes around 10 tastings in total.

Calling all independent travelers: The stunning, centuries-old Renaissance city meets the 21st century on this do-it-yourself guided tour of Venice, led by a handy smartphone app. Tick off all the highlights and discover lesser-known attractions only frequented by locals. Wander at your own pace as you learn about the legends and curiosities behind the lagoon-filled labyrinth.

Venice is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, and if you want stunning photos to remember your vacation, then don’t rely on selfies. Instead, let a professional photographer capture shots of you against beautiful backdrops. The shoot can be for individuals, couples, or groups—and the photographer can give you advice on routes, or accommodate special requests for a custom route.

Learn the secret to making great pasta during a private cooking class in Venice, taught by a “cesarina,” or home cook. Follow three regional recipes and discover tricks of the trade. Each participant is equipped with utensils and ingredients at a personal workstation during the 3-hour lesson. You’ll prepare authentic Italian pastas, then taste each delicious dish, accompanied by a selection of local wine. 

Visit traditional food shops at a local market and taste authentic Venetian recipes, treasured and passed down through generations in family cookbooks. During this private dining experience at the home of a “cesarina,” or home cook, you’ll share a 4-course menu and experience the warmth of Italian hospitality. Watch as your host prepares an appetizer, main course, side dish, and dessert—all paired with a selection of red and white wines.

Follow three authentic Venetian recipes during a private cooking class and learn the tricks of the trade from a 'cesarina,' or home cook, in Venice. Each participant is equipped with utensils and ingredients at a personal workstation during the 3-hour lesson. You’ll prepare 'cicchetti,' or small plates, then taste each delicious dish, accompanied by a selection of local wine.

Discover the authentic flavor of Venice during a private cooking lesson and dinner with a Cesarine, a member of an exclusive network of local cooks who are preserving Italy’s culinary heritage. Get a taste of true Italian hospitality inside your host’s private home, and help prepare a 4-course menu of Venetian specialties using time-honored recipes. Sit down to share the homemade meal family style, along with wine from the Veneto region, for a meal you won't find it any restaurant.

Most tours only visit Venice’s historic Jewish district in passing, but this specialized guided walk takes you to the heart of Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto. Discover hidden corners of the city and little-known palaces and bridges, and listen to an overview of Jewish culture and traditions in Italy. The tour conveniently ends in the neighborhood, so you can opt to visit the museum and synagogue on your own.

Save time researching which of Venice’s landmarks are wheelchair-accessible and let someone else do the planning for you with this private guided tour. The itinerary is expertly put together to showcase accessible routes through the historic center and it can be personalized based on your individual requirements. Potential routes include the Rialto market area, St Mark’s Square, Murano, Burano, and the Castello and Cannaregio districts.

The ancient art of engraving, which had its greatest splendor and diffusion in Venice, will have no more secrets! For those who want a unique experience in the ancient world of craftsmanship, I organize individual courses (one or at most two people) to explain and put into practice the basic techniques of engraving. Participants will thus have the opportunity to create a real art print made by them (on their original idea or drawing) and take it home. An experience that they will certainly not forget - in fact, they can hang it in their home! The course includes etching with the drypoint technique on Plexiglas or drypoint on zinc. I will follow you in the choice of subjects, in the preparation of the drawings and during all the processing phases, from the initial study to the processing of the plate up to the final prints. Reservations are accepted by people from the same family or relatives

Let your guide lead the way to some of the best bacari that only a local foodie could point out. After sampling your choice of local wine, Aperol spritz or Campari, you’ll be fuelled up for some exploring. You’ll get the chance to try traditional Venetian crustless sandwiches or ‘tramezzinis’ with ham and mushrooms, perhaps creamed codfish or marinated sardines. Visit must-try foodie havens; from ‘polenta bianca’ to ‘fritto misto’ (fried seafood) and ‘lasagnette con nero di seppia’ (pasta with squid ink). Our handpicked hosts are culinary connoisseurs and history buffs, bakers and bankers, students and seniors. Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them. Your meeting place and time as well as your itinerary are flexible, so you can plan and experience with your host to meet your needs.

Explore the best of Venice on a small-group tour of its highlights. Avoid long lines with skip-the-line entrance tickets to Venice’s most famous icons, St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Follow your guide and listen to informative commentary about the history of this Italian city and the vibrant culture that has emerged from it. Your tour also includes a visit to the Murano Glass Blowing factory to assist in a glass-blowing demo with a Venetian master.

Experience the vibrant food culture of Italy during this 6-hour private tour in Venice. Start out by exploring the local markets in search of some of the best Venetian products. Then get hands-on experience with a private cooking class to create a delicious Italian meal. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as you eat your 3-course meal which is perfectly paired with red and white wines from the region.