WHERE TO STAY:

• The Gritti Palace: impeccably renovated, the Gritti Palace is a Venetian classic with the best standards of service and charm.
• Belmond Hotel Cipriani: with its wonderful pool, it is the best place to stay in Venice when the weather is good.
• Palazzo Cristo: a new entry in the city, these luxury serviced apartments and suites are carefully finished with style to feel like your home away from home.
• Palazzo Experimental: another new addition to the city, the Palazzo Experimental terrace and garden are where Venice’s young crowd love to hang out and enjoy cocktails.
• The most recent addition to the parterre of Venetian luxury hotels is the magnificent Venice Venice Hotel, born from the restoration of Palazzo Ca' da Mosto, a 13th-century Venetian-Byzantine style palace, the oldest on the Grand Canal.

WHERE TO EAT:

• Da Ivo: incredible seafood is the specialty in this wonderful jewel of a restaurantt.
• Harry’s Bar to experience timeless charm, exceptional service, and culinary excellence in the heart of the city. Their famous Bellini cocktail is a must to try.
• While the best place for summer is definitely Harry’s Dolci: come early and enjoy the best sunset view in town.
• Hostaria Certosa: a great outdoor pop-up near the Lido for easy and delicious local fare.
• Il Gatto Nero: located in the super charming island of Burano, this is a wonderful escape from the city for lunch.
• Acquapazza: Neapolitan food. Very good for lunch and dinner outside, the pizza and fish are a must.
• Vini da Arturo: cozy and famous for its Stroganoff Beef Fillet, if you are there you have to try it.
• Quadri Restaurant: inside the sumptuous Gran Café Quadri, the Phillip Stark Quadri Restaurant with 1 Michelin star is located; while downstairs you can find the Quadrino Bistrot for an easy dinner overlooking San Marc’s Square.
• Near Rialto bridge there is Antiche Carampane: the food Venetian tradition at its best.
• Locanda Cipriani in Torcello island is a magic place to enjoy lunch and dinner al fresco during summertime.
• Covino: tiny and delicious, Covino is one of my favourites. The food and wine are amazing.
• Osteria Santa Marina: amazing cuisine, and the raw fish, a specialty
• Alla Vedova: do not miss out on the fried meat balls, perfect as aperitif with a glass of white wine.
• Codroma: one of the oldest restaurants in Venice, perfect to live the real Bacaro experience.
• Do not miss the area called Fondamenta della Misericordia, very nice in the summertime as full of bars and nice restaurants such as Ristorante l’Orto dei Mori, el Timon and Ostaria da Rioba

WHERE TO DRINK:

• The Gritti Terrace offers one of the most spectacular views in town, it is perfect to enjoy a cocktail during summertime.
• Unmissable stop is the historical Caffè Florian, the oldest café in the world located under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove, where you can enjoy an excellent coffee or an aperitif overlooking the splendid Piazza San Marco.
• The St. Regis Terrace us an unexpected haven in the midst of Venice’s contemporary art scene, a fantastic place to enjoy a drink at night.
• Lavena: on Saint Mark square (inside) is one of the oldest bars still attended by locals.
• Venice Venice Hotel: the terrace becomes the perfect location for an aperitif with signature drinks such as the “the erose americano,” accompanied by tempting dishes designed to be shared.
• Taverna alla Fenice: the tavern is adjacent to the entrance of the theatre La Fenice and here it is possible to enjoy a dinner or a cocktail with the fascinating accompaniment of lyrical songs.
• Al Mercante: a journey to discover new flavours and new cocktails.
• Al Pesador: facing the Gran Canal and next to the Rialto Bridge is a nice spot for a sunset cocktail.

WHAT TO VISIT AND WHAT TO DO:

• Doge’s Palace and the Three Statues, “Mars, Adam and Eve”, restored by Venetian Heritage with Peter Marino
• Palazzo Loredan prominently situated in Campo Santo Stefano.
• The Gilt-Silver Altarpiece restored by Venetian Heritage in the Church of San Salvador.
• The Island of San Giorgio and the view from the bell tower (the best view of the city).
• Church of San Zaccaria: do not miss the Cripta.
• Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo: where all Doges are buried
• Scuola Grande di San Marco
• Casino Venier: a little hidden gem, now headquarters of the Alliance Française.
• Church of San Francesco della Vigna whose façade has been designed by Palladio
• Museum of Palazzo Grimani di Santa Maria Formosa and the exhibition, DOMUS GRIMANI, by Venetian Heritage and Curated by Peter Marino has one of my favorite rooms in Venice.
• Fondazione Querini Stampalia with its beautiful garden designed by Carlo Scarpa.
• Church of Miracoli
• Gesuiti Church: my favorite church in Venice, it’s a Maximalists dream.
• Church of Madonna dell’orto: where Tintoretto is buried.
• The Jewish Ghetto: take a walk around its always fascinating alleys.
• Museum of Ca' Pesaro: Museum of Modern Art and Asian art.
• Church of San Pantalon: the ceiling is the biggest oil on canvas in the entire world.
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection: one of the most important museums of twentieth century art in Italy.
• Gallerie dell’Accademia Museum: the temple of Venetian art.

WHERE TO SHOP:

• Codognato Jewelry: the Codognato family have been one of the most influential jewelry artists in the history of fashion. Its vintage and contemporary jewelry are one of kind a masterpieces.
• Discover the Antiquities market in Campo Santa Maria Nova.
• Benevento: Historical shop where you can find exquisite tapestry and fabrics.
• When in Venice you can’t miss Piedaterre in Campo Santo Stefano to buy the iconic “friulane” shoes
• I vetri a lume di Amadi: For over 42 years, Bruno Amadi has been modelling glass, creating wonderful natural shapes.
• Giberto: here you can buy an exclusive range of Murano glass designed by Count Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga.