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This delightful little guesthouse (once home to composer Gustav Mahler’s widow) feels more like a private country retreat than a city hotel thanks to its wonderful shady canal-side garden hidden behind a high, creeper-clad wall.
Located down a narrow alleyway close to the art-filled Frari church, it is a 10-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge but feels worlds away from the crowds. You’ll wake to the sound of church bells, the smell of baking croissants, and breakfast under the magnolia trees in summer.
The Venetian owner and his staff welcome guests (an independent, artsy crowd) into their home which is modern and stylish yet comfortable with lots of thoughtful details such as fresh flowers and books to read.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.8 miles]
From Titian to Tiepolo, the Accademia’s world-class collection represents the Golden Age of Venetian painting. A dazzling collection of masterpieces but also a voyage through the history of Venice itself.
Best for ages: 18+ | £15
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.8 miles]
American millionairess collector Peggy Guggenheim’s glittering display of avant-garde art is housed in her own 18th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.9 miles]
The Grand Canal is Venice’s busy, trafficked high street and an essential part of Venetian everyday life. Its winding two-miles of double waterfront is lined with magnificent palazzi and is crossed by four bridges.
Best for ages: 8+ | £5 | 45 minutes
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.9 miles]
It’s huge, and often crowded, but St. Mark’s square is one of the most emblematic spots in the city and is lined with over-priced cafés that offer live music. But out of season, on a foggy winter’s evening or at dawn, it’s undeniably atmospheric.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.1 miles]
Of all Venice’s many churches, the huge, Franciscan barn-like Frari (1338-1469) is one of the most art-packed. It boasts the second-highest bell tower in the city and a severe exterior, but once inside, the quality of the art is extraordinary.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.5 miles]
Although Carnevale falls in February/March, you can learn to make your own Venetian Carnival masks year-round at one of several workshops in the city. Experienced artisans teach the art of papier-maché mask making and decorating in traditional Venetian style. Great for kids and adults alike.
Best for ages: 6+ | £42 | 1 hour
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.6 miles]
One of Venice’s more curious sights lies near Campo San Manin. Signs lead to a small courtyard and Giovanni Candi’s exuberant spiral staircase (ca. 1500) stuck onto its relatively plain palazzo. Climb to the top of this eccentric confection for delightful views over the city.
Best for ages: 6+ | £5
Venice, Veneto, Italy[0.6 miles]
Venetians have shopped and haggled at this food market on the banks of the Grand Canal since 1097 AD. It’s a mosaic of stalls piled with aubergines, tomatoes, vats of artichoke hearts and (under the arched Pescaria) a zillion varieties of wriggling, glistening fish.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Veneto, Italy
Crammed with picturesque canals, Renaissance palazzos and artistic masterpieces, this unique and alluring city is heaven-on-earth for art lovers and romantics.
