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. You can choose from a production class or a decoration class, or you can even take both. In the production class, learn how to make your own papier-mâché mask, and in the decoration class, you can paint or use materials to decorate your mask. No matter which option you choose, you get to bring home your creation—just in time for Carnival.

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 peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano on a 2-hour escorted tour. Meet your guide in central Venice, and ride a water bus across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Get a private glassmaking demonstration from a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.

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.

Join Venetian-born host Lorenzo with a glass of cold Prosecco in hand for a 3-hour pasta cooking class and Italian dinner, paired with great music and a fun atmosphere. • Learn how to make fresh pasta, then sit down to enjoy a 3-course meal • White wine and Prosecco are included • Cooking class and communal dinner for up to 50 people • Lorenzo was born in Venice and has lived there his whole life

Learn the secrets of glassblowing during this activity in Venice. On the island of Murano, 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. Walk away with a small Murano glass souvenir.

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 tips and tricks of authentic Venetian cooking with this culinary experience led a chef instructor. Shop for fresh, seasonal produce at the bustling Rialto market, and then head to a private kitchen in a historic ‘palazzo’ for a small-group lesson in regional cooking techniques. Help prepare a gourmet, multicourse menu, and then sit down among a small group of new friends to enjoy the homemade feast with wine.

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.

See where the world’s most famous glass is made on a private tour and workshop on the island of Murano. Ride a private water taxi from your hotel across the Venetian Lagoon to the pretty, colorful island, where you’ll visit a renowned glass-making factory. Learn how the candy-colored glass is blown using traditional methods, and create your own one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry using authentic Murano glass beads.

Discover the secrets of homestyle Italian cooking during this half-day culinary experience in Venice. Meet at Rialto Market to shop like a local for fresh, seasonal ingredients with the help of a professional chef. Then, learn how to prepare authentic regional dishes with a cooking lesson inside a historic Venetian palazzo. Get tips on food and wine pairing from a sommelier, and savor your homemade feast along with excellent Italian wines.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

When planning a cruise stop in Venice, spend an unforgettable day in one of the world’s most romantic maritime cities with a private shore excursion. After meeting a local tour escort at the cruise terminal, travel in a private boat to the political and cultural heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square. Skip the long entrance queues with priority access to spectacular St Mark’s Basilica and the Gothic Doge’s Palace, and then enjoy a quintessential Venetian experience with a private 30-minute gondola ride through the city’s famed canals.

Discover the unique wines of northern Italy’s Veneto wine region on this private, 2-hour tasting tour through Venice. Join a sommelier guide at a cozy local ‘enoteca,’ where you’ll hear about the long history of winemaking in the region and taste prized Veneto varietals like Valpolicella, Bardolino and sparkling Prosecco. Learn to identify distinctive flavors and textures, and pair the wines with authentic Venetian ‘cicchetti,’ or bar snacks.

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.

Delve into the art of making chocolate during a workshop at a premiere chocolatier in Venice. Sample a variety of chocolates and get ideas for what to make with the ingredients that are supplied for your class. At the end of the chocolate-making session, take home your chocolate creations to share with friends.

Want to entertain your friends and family in your home away from home?Cesarine is your perfect solution; our expert local home cooks will come to your accommodation to create an authentic culinary experience you'll never forget. Put your feet up and relax with your loved ones while our Cesarina takes care of everything for you (clean up included!). Enjoy an aperitivo with sparkling wine and nibbles followed by a 4-course menu including starter, pasta, main course with side dish, dessert and drinks included (water, selection of red and white wines from regional cellars).  How does it work? After you have booked the experience we will contact you asking for the address of your accommodation and any specific requests or preferences including timings. We will then match you with the perfect local home cook from our world-famous network. Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of 1000+ home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities.

Have you ever been to a local market and traditional food shop in Italy, full of ingredients you'd love to experiment with? This is your chance to visit a market with a local expert, choose your most inspiring ingredients, and create and name your very own two recipes.  Go food shopping with your Cesarina and choose 3-5 staple ingredients that capture your imagination before immersing yourself in a private cooking class at their home. With their expert guidance, you will learn how to prepare your chosen ingredients and make your own two Italian creations. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. This experience is organized by Cesarine, Italy’s oldest network of home cooks available all over the country since 2004. Each host has been carefully selected for his knowledge about local recipes and for their passion to connect with travelers from all over the world.

See a different side of Venice with this off the beaten path walking tour, including the Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio. Follow your private guide to these two lesser-known neighborhoods away from the city center crowds. Learn about the area’s history and hear stories about how Venetians live today. This private tour can be customized according to your interests.

The huge crowds in Venice can make sightseeing an overwhelming experience—especially in large groups. Opt for the stress-free alternative of exploring a less crowded part of Venice, on a private tour with just your party and a guide. Benefit from a guide’s navigation skills when exploring a labyrinth of narrow streets in the Castello area. It’s a great way to see local craftsmanship—watch a glass-making demonstration, and visit a mask maker too.