Like a Virgin: Gay life in Venice in the past and present

Hear about the stories about cross-dressing in cat masks and Rolandina, the first transgender we know about in Italy. Explore the places gay cruised from middle ages to the Grand Tour, enjoying the tolerant, laid-back and easy-going city attitude today

Take a trip over the centuries through the history of the LGBTQ community in Venice, which is as labyrinthine as the city’s convoluted system of canals. Travel back to Middle Ages, when the practice of sodomy by gay or bisexual men was deemed a sin, and punished heavily by local authorities. Learn about the history of Rolandina, a transgender who was burned at stake in 1354, as several other men of all social statuses, from commoners to nobles, have being condemned for their same-sex relations in the following centuries. Travel as educated European did in the 17th, when Venice became one of the homosexual tourism destinations of the Grand Tour in 17th century. Learn how Death in Venice by Thomas Mann and The Desire and pursuit of the Whole by Frederick Rolfe made the city a place of homosexual imagery during Belle Epoque. Learn about the fascist attempt to “clean up” the city and follow the locations of a music video shot in Venice with a real lion and a gay-icon as Madonna, checking out how is gay life nowadays in the floating city. 

Languages: English, German, Italian

Off the beaten path walk in Venice

Always wanted to explore the magical city of Venice without following the hustle and bustle of tourists and crowds? Then this walking tour is just the thing for you!

Discover the floating city of Venice without following the beaten routes with bustling crowds. We will walk in selected hidden alleyways and paths that lead to hidden jewels and we will wander through local neighbourhoods, stunning palaces overlooking the canals and beautiful gardens.

As you take in the peaceful vibes, you’ll get a glimpse of day to day Venetian life, before stumbling upon a church that was used as the setting of a movie. Head towards the canal where locals love to buy their fruits and vegetables straight from a boat.

Every corner you will explore has something unique in store for you. Like a hidden 14th century church with a calming ambiance and a very beautiful and richly decorated inside.

Continue strolling around between narrow "calles" and "campos" where local kids play. Follow your local guide among beautiful palaces, must-see hidden churches in quiet corners, ending up in one of the most scenic spots of Venice. 

Languages: English, German, Italian

Hopping around Mazzorbo, Burano and Murano islands

Hop from island to island between the serene nature of Mazzorbo, the colourful houses of Burano, and the artistic glass scene of Murano.

Hop from island to island between Mazzorbo, Burano, & Murano! Watch colourful houses wiggle with delight at their reflections in the Canal of Burano, witness artistry in action at the glass factories and artisanal workshops in Murano, engage with vivid biblical tales on byzantine mosaics under glittering golden medieval church apses and marvel at the quiet, serene nature of Mazzorbo and the lagoon.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Highlights and Hidden Gems Night Tour in Venice

As the sun sets, Venice shows its most intimate side. Enjoy the dreamlike beauty of Venice by night, while discovering hidden gems among dark and mysterious "calles".

This is a night tour you will remember: Venice is even more beautiful at night when the most amazing monuments of the city and the most secret hidden gems are enlightened by dim street lights. Lose yourself in the myriad reflections created by the buildings in the waters of the Grand Canal and immerse your soul in the magic that pervades Venice after sunset You will enter the intricate maze of narrow streets that wind through Venice to discover ancient stories, legends and mysteries that will be revealed to you in this unique tour of Venice at night. You will walk through the most significant corners of Venice at night when churches and ancient palaces are silhouetted against the magic night sky.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Kayak discovery tour in the lagoon of Venice

Paddle around the Northern lagoon islands, appreciate the natural beauty of “Venice’s vegetable gardens” Sant’Erasmo and Vignole, and discover the Sant’Andrea fort built to protect the city from its enemies.

There is no better way to discover the hidden side of Venice - its islands, its water banks, its marshlands - than paddling through the lagoon in direct contact with the waters where the city was built on, without any negative environmental impact.

A kayak is the most genuine way to experience the calm waters surrounding the city: you will be able to navigate around the islands of Sant’Erasmo and Vignole, known as the vegetable gardens of Venice as they used to provide the Republic with fruits and vegetables. While watching the immense variety of the lagoon fauna you will get to the Lazzaretto Nuovo, where the “quarantine” was invented in the Middle Age to prevent Venice from diseases, and then to the Sant’Andrea Fort built in the 16th century to defend the lagoon from invaders and now reachable only by small boats or kayaks. Finally, a stop at the Certosa island will assure you a unique perspective on Venice and its unparalleled skyline.

This discovery tour by kayak is easy to handle and not too tiring. The actual paddling time will be around 2,5 hours and before starting the guided kayak excursion, you will be informed about: kayak paddling techniques, security measures and how to go on a kayak in the lagoon.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Bike tour along Lido, Venice’s seaside island

Discover the Lido island, with its groomed sandy beaches, its natural reserves and old ladies sipping Prosecco at the market. Experience the Belle Époque glamour passing in front of the beautiful Art Nouveau hotels and beloved by international movie stars

Lido is the island which separates the Venice lagoon and the Adriatic Sea, and it mixes beautiful natural landscapes with the glamour of Art Nouveau hotels and the atmosphere of the Venice Film Festival, which takes place here since its first edition in the 1930s.

This tour will allow you to enjoy special views on Venice biking along the lagoon, while discovering the most interesting and unique spots of the island, like the church where the Republic of Venice used to celebrate its maritime dominion for 1.000 years, the ancient Jewish cemetery or the lighthouse which marks the entrance from the sea to the lagoon poetically set at the end of an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Biking towards the other side of the island, we will be able to admire the beauty of the Art Nouveau hotels, the most dazzling vacation homes to aristocrats and VIPs since the early 1900s, finally reaching the eclectic Hotel Excelsior and the Venice Film Festival venues, where movie stars gather on the red carpet every year.

We will bike also along the canals of Malamocco, a colourful fishing village that’s like a miniature version of Venice. We will continue cycling through a natural reserve with enchanting dune fields where Byron used to gallop during his early morning rides. There will also be some time to relax like the locals do, by heading to quiet Alberoni beach for a drink or a swim.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Bike tour and honey tasting on Sant’Erasmo island

Let's bike through the "Orto di Venezia" (Venice's "vegetable garden"), through artichokes fields and farms, admiring the Venice skyline from a very unusual view and tasting the unique honey produced only on this island.

Bike along the island banks and fields and enjoy a rare view of Venice from an unusual spot. Experience the unique natural beauty of the island, appreciating the relaxed and traditional lifestyle of its few inhabitants. In fact, although being the largest island of the lagoon, Sant’Erasmo is populated by only 700 people, the majority of whom farm their own lands producing amazing fruits and vegetables.

One of most interesting crops is the typical purple-hued artichokes, a slow food ® presidium “Carciofo Violetto di Sant'Erasmo”. Another typical activity in the island is beekeeping: bees enjoy the amazing variety of flowers growing on the salty soil, and they produce a unique kind of honey which you will be able to taste.

While biking you will appreciate the variety of crops grown by local farmers as well as beautiful wild landscapes while spotting the belfries of Venice from afar.

Languages: English, German, Italian

The ultimate Food tour: Bacaro Hopping like a Venetian

We promise you will taste the best food in Venice, together with a passionate foodie host, wandering around the vibrant San Marco and San Polo districts, ending the food tour with a sweet traditional treat

You can’t have a genuine experience in Venice without drinking a Spritz in town! Pleasantly tipsy after having this popular drink, we will start our culinary journey through the city. We will hop from wine bars to family owned food shops, and you will choose several mouthwatering ‘cicchetti’ bites, the traditional snacks, paired together with local wine glasses... and you’ll be in Venetian heaven!

Drink after drink and hopping from city highlights to hidden gems, your cravings for local food and culture will be certainly satisfied.

We promise you will taste the best food in Venice, together with a passionate foodie host, wandering around the vibrant San Marco and San Polo districts, ending the food tour with a traditional treat, the ultimate gelato or a traditional venetian cookie.

Looking for a vegetarian alternative? It’s possible! Just let us know in advance and we can customize according to your wishes, diet or food allergies.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Fish shopping in Rialto and home cooking in Murano

Don't just sit in a restaurant but be a true Venetian! Pick the best fresh fish at the Rialto market, cross the Canal Grande on a gondola and hurry up heading home. Be your own chef in a state of the art kitchen overlooking the canal.

Be a true Venetian! Fish tastes better when it is fresh, seasonal and local, especially if you personally buy it and cook it at home with the tips of a local guy!

The market place in Venice is Rialto: its fish market is noisy, raw, authentic and full of true venetian life. Fish is artfully arranged on stalls covered with deep layers of crushed ice; seagulls wander among the fishmongers calling out today's catch, local people purposefully browse the stalls scattered in the two halls of the "Pescheria", as generations of Venetians have been doing for the past 800 years!

As soon as you have made your best choice for fish, you will cross the Canal Grande on a Gondola ferry, most probably together with some local housewives hurrying up heading home! With a 15 minutes’ walk through hidden "calles" you will reach Fondamente Nove, where you will catch a vaporetto to Murano where the cooking will take place.

You will cook your meal together with a local Venetian while tasting some glasses of prosecco, some appetizers and enjoying the view on the canal from the dining room.

Following the tips of your host you will cook pasta with a tasty fish sauce while a seabass is baking to perfection in the oven.

Languages: English, German, Italian

Glass Lampwork workshop and walking tour in Murano

Get ready to discover the Murano island, witnessing artistry in action in its glass factories, experiencing the lampwork tradition by creating your own Venetian bead and visiting the Byzantine-style 12th century mosaics of its churches.

Visit Murano, one of the most visited islands in the Venice lagoon, thanks to the reputation of its glass making industry: discover unique glass making factories, away from the most touristic spots; among them, the oldest glass factory in the world active since 1295, where you will see how tradition is combined with contemporary design and creativity.

Far from being stuck in the past, glass making still runs in the veins of the inhabitants of the island: experience first-hand one of the oldest techniques - the lampwork - thanks to a workshop run by a local artist, who will guide you through the secrets of this work helping you make your own Venetian bead, keeping alive a 17th century artistic practice.

Finally, have a pleasant stroll around Murano, discovering some hidden gems like its churches and walking through off-the-beaten tracks.

Languages: English, German, Italian