Venice
A floating city of impossible beauty, hidden canals, and centuries of secrets.
About Venice
There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. A city built on water, where the "streets" are canals and the "cars" are boats. The art is staggering, the architecture is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is pure magic. But it's also a city that can feel like a theme park. The real Venice is hiding in plain sight, just one tiny bridge away from the crowds. Let a local show you the quiet sestieri (neighbourhoods) of Cannaregio or Dorsoduro, and the bacari (wine bars) where gondoliers actually eat.
Best Time to Visit
April-May or late September-October. The light is beautiful, and the temperatures are mild. "Acqua Alta" (high water) season typically starts in November.
Local Tips
- Swap the gondola for a traghetto.
A private gondola ride is an expensive cliché. For the same experience in 30 seconds, a local knows the traghetto stands—public gondolas that cross the Grand Canal for €2.
- Do the bacaro crawl.
St. Mark's Square is for pigeons. A local will send you on a giro d'ombra (a "shadow tour," or wine bar crawl) in the Rialto Market neighbourhood for tiny, perfect cichetti (Venetian tapas).
- Look beyond Murano.
Instead of just seeing the (often touristy) glass-blowing, a local can arrange a visit to a traditional forcola workshop, where artisans carve the intricate, sculptural oar-rests for gondolas.
(the local lens)
Meet the Local Experts
Your on-the-ground insiders . The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Chiara
Bari, Lecce +7
5.0(4 reviews)I am a local tour guide with over twenty years of experience in Venice and it’s lagoon. As a native of the area and a resident nearby, I have a deep and authentic connection with this extraordinary land, which I know not only historically and artistically, but also in its most authentic and everyday aspects. I love sharing Venice’s natural beauty, artistic and cultural heritage, centuries-old traditions, and the unique identity that makes the lagoon a place like no other. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience that allows me to offer personalized itineraries, combining great masterpieces with lesser-known gems, offering an authentic and engaging experience. I also pay great attention to food and wine, guiding guests to discover the typical flavours and culinary traditions of Venice. My goal is for you to experience Venice not just as a tourist destination, but as an emotional, cultural, and sensorial experience, leaving you with an indelible memory of this unique city.
Mosè
Venice, Vicenza
0.0(0 reviews)I started to work as a guide in my home city, Vicenza, where I especially focused on the architecture by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential artists of the Italian Reinassance. In 2009 I moved to Venice and my new city became also my new professional focus: I love the possibilites offered by Venice in terms of historical and artistic richness, but also in terms of easyness of moving and combining different things together. In 2020 I started a small YouTube channel about one of my hobbies: board gaming! For the future I'd like to also open a channel regarding my other hobby: collecting Lego bricks! :-)
Rosa
Florence, Pisa +13
5.0(1 review)Hi, I’m Rosa - your local Italy travel planner based in Florence. I'm 26 and I live in Florence, in the heart of Tuscany. Italy is not just where I live, it's what I love sharing with others. Over the years, I've explored many cities like Bologna, Milan, Venice, Rome Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia and many more. Each region has its own flow, flavors and traditions, and understanding these differeces is what makes a trip truly special. I help travelers experience Italy beyond the typical tourist path. From selecting the perfect area to stay, to reccomending authentic restaurants, wineries and hidden villages. I desing trips that feel personal and deeply Italian. If you want to experience Italy with local insight and thoughtful planning, I’ll help you create a journey you’ll never forget.
Eleonora
Palermo, Syracuse +10
0.0(0 reviews)Hello, I’m Eleonora. I was born in Tuscany, just outside Florence, where growing up surrounded by history, shaped my curiosity and love for art. I studied Art History at the University of Florence, specializing in the Renaissance. I began guiding students early on, and it was there that I developed a passion for storytelling — because there is nothing more challenging than engaging teenagers and young adults. I later expanded my focus to the broader history of Italy, leading groups throughout the country, from Venice to Sicily. Eventually, I moved to Rome, where I now work as an expert tour guide, leading visits to the city’s most iconic sites, including the Vatican and the Colosseum, as well as off the beaten path, to some of its hidden gems. In my free time I love to drive around Italy to its myriad hilltop medieval towns, where each one is a new discovery, both architectural and natural and also, of course, culinary! Over the years, many travelers have asked me for advice and suggestions to help plan the rest of their itineraries. That is why I’m happy to connect with you even before your trip begins, sharing my insights and helping you make the most of your time in Italy.