Venice
Art Olympics

THE FLOATING CITy

Venice is a beautiful place, steeped in history, filled with charm. The capital of the Veneto region is situated on a group of small islands that are separated by various canals and linked by an abundance of bridges. The atmosphere, architectural inspiration, narrow canals, and Venetian food will make you fall in love with this city.

Our favorite time to visit the magic that is Venice is during La Biennale di Venezia for the International Art Exhibition. This year the 58th Biennale, titled May You Live In Interesting Times, kicked off in May and runs until late November 2019. Curated by Ralph Rugoff, the exhibit develops from the Central Pavilion (Giardini) to the Arsenale and includes 79 participants from all over the world. Art exhibits run parallel to the Biennale throughout the streets of Venice and make for a refreshing take on the floating city.

While we visited Venice during the height of summer this year, our preferred time to go is in Autumn. Less tourists, cooler temperatures, an the possibility of acqua alta (flooding), allow for more time spent indulging on Venetian delicacies and restaurant-hopping our way through the city. Plus travel rates are more reasonable during this time.

 
 

STAY

Splurge at the Aman Venice, The Gritti Palace, the iconic Hotel Cipriani, or the Bauer San Marco at the heart of the city’s action.

IA Tip: We highly recommend staying at the breathtaking Palazzo Cristo, a 16th-century house on Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo in the Castello, a neighbourhood still thriving with Venetian families and local life. Paris-based interior designers Anna Covre and Frédéric Tubau created the ever inspiring luxury apartments as the perfect Venice escape when looking for ultimate refinement and a unique location in the heart of Venice.

 
 

EAT & DRINK

Rise & Shine

Start with coffee (or two) and an almond croissant at Rosa Salva in Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and sit back and enjoy the scenery. Pasticceria Rizzardini is a favorite of ours, along with Pasticceria Tonolo in Dorsoduro. Both are musts for coffee and classic Venetian pastries - guaranteed to satisfy any the early morning sweet tooth.

Other spots worth a visit include:

  • Caffe Del Doge

  • Caffe Florian

  • Caffe Lavena

 
 

Restaurants
When exploring the Biennale, lunch may take a back seat. If this is the case, check out the standing-only bacaro All’Arco in San Polo for tasty tidbits like their folpetti (baby octopus), sarde in saor (sweet & sour sardines), and crostini tramezzini (sandwiches with seasonal fillings).

Whether for lunch or dinner, head to Al Covo, a restaurant serving classic Venetian seafood near the Arsenale. Their mouthwatering fried zucchini hearts are among the best you will ever try. Its the perfect spot to grab a table at, after exploring the Arsenale all morning.

If you are looking for a restaurant where you can get away from the tourists and dine lunch or dinner outdoors, make a reservation at Lineadombra. We always order the sea-bass fillet cooke in a salt crust.

Splurge at the Gritti Terrace Restaurant or at the ever-classic Harry’s Bar.

Other eats inclued:

  • Trattoria Antiche Carampagne (order the tagliolini with cassopipa)

  • Osteria alla Testire

  • La Zucca

  • Da Fiore (order the tagliata di tonno al rosmarino, misto crudo, or penette con capesante e broccoli)

Aperitivo
After a long days worth of art, sights, and a lot of walking, treat ourself with pre-dinner drinks at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani’s poolside-bar or set your sights on the view of the top-floor terrace at La Terrazza Danieli. More laid-back favorites include Vino Vera, Un Mondo Divino, and La Cantina.

 
 

See & Do: VeNICE BIENNALE STYLE

The Biennale is not one, but dozens of allied events, ranging from official national presentations through to smaller pop-ups. With all it has to offer, the Biennale can be overwhelming for many. Here are is our hit list (to name a few) of what not to miss this year:

  • Jannis Kounellis at Fondazione Prada

  • Jean Dubuffet at Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti

  • “Visionary” installation by Tavares Strachan, international pavilion

  • “Microworld” by Liu Wei, Arsenale

  • Impressive abstract paintings by Yun Hyong-keun, Palazzo Fortuny

  • “Rumor to Delusion” by Warren Neidich, Zuecca Project Space

  • “Moments of Happiness” by the Verhoeven twins, in the Carpenters Workshop Dysfunctional show

  • “Building Bridges” by Lorenzo Quinn, Arsenale

  • “Ghana Freedom” by David Adjaye, Arsenale

  • “Barca Nostra” by Christoph Büchel, Arsenale