To stroll between calli and campielli, to snoop in the markets, to dream about the way of living in a faraway past, to spy an enchanting courtyard through a key-hole, to peer in a church, to drink a “ombra” in a “bacàro”, to follow a celebrity’s footsteps, to take a picture with a breath-taking view:

Discover Venice as you like!

Much has been said about the dark side of Venice, and of its mysterious image. If you are looking for an alternative way to discover the city, then have a trip through the most fascinating and intriguing stories.

We can suggest different itineraries, in more than one “sestiere” (district) of the city, touching the sites linked with ancient legends, cruel crimes, ghosts stories fluttered around some famous monuments and especially the “corti sconte”, the hidden evocative corners.

Itinerary:

This tour can be customized to any itinerary you desire that meets your needs.  The walk may include more than one sestiere/district and of course, a visit to a museum or one or more churches. It can be enriched with a visit a mask making shop, which will give us the chance to talk about  Carnival, or perhaps a glimpse at one of the remaining “squeri”, gondola boatyards that still keep the secret of the virtuosity of the shipbuilding techniques. We could introduce something that touches on the more flavorsome side of Venice, or rather its succulent culinary specialties, a stop in a bacàro to taste the mythical “ombre” (literally shadows or small servings of wine) and cichéti  (local tapas).

So, not only important works of art: above all common people’s architectures, secret corners, picturesque sceneries, namely the most typical sites that only a local Tourist Guide can reveal to you in order to help you appreciate the true spirit of the city.

YELLOW Itinerary: San Polo

 This itinerary includes: the Rialto Market, the ancient Castelletto zone (the red light district), the magnificent gothic Frari Church, real coffer of priceless works of art, for instance Pala Pesaro by Giovanni Bellini , the Assumption by Tiziano, the statue of John the Baptist by Donatello; the Scuola Grande of San Rocco, the great seat of the confraternity so much celebrated by the genius of Tintoretto, The Church San Pantalon, with the biggest canvas in the world, the lively Campo Santa Margherita.

RED Itinerary:  Cannaregio

This itinerary includes: Campo Santa Maria Formosa; Marco Polo’s house; Campo dei Gesuiti; the  Suola Grande della Misericordia; the gothic church Madonna dell’Orto where Tintoretto rests in peace; Sacca della Misericordia with a view over the Casinò degli Spiriti; Campo dei Mori; the Jewish Ghetto.

PURPLE Itinerary: Dorsoduro

This itinerary includes: the Scala del Bovolo, the Fenice Theatre, Campo S.Stefano; the Accademia Bridge; the imposing Salute Church, designed to become the crown of the Virgin, who freed Venice from the plague of 1630; Punta della Dogana, the ancient custom point that is today the new seat of François Pinault’s Foundation, a paradise for contemporary art lovers; stroll along the Zattere, a beautiful promenade with a splendid view over the Giudecca canal with a “gianduiotto stop” in one of our favorite gelato/ice-cream shops; the boatyard San Trovaso, where gondolas are built; Campo Santa Margherita.

GREEN Itinerary:  Castello

Duration:

From 2 to 4 hours or even longer for the bravest ones- much depends on the itinerary chosen and the number of churches, museums, monuments you wish to visit.

Notes:

Entrance tickets must be paid on the spot.