Stellavision’s Field Notes on Venice in the Winter
Photo by Micky White on Unsplash
Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. Get the lowdown on destinations across the globe from travelers and locals alike. This week, Zoe Shapiro, CEO of Stellavision Travel, shares her insider intel on visiting Venice in the winter.
Hello! I'm Zoe, based in Rome. I'm a Marketing Consultant and the CEO of Stellavision Travel. Venice is an unmissable destination if you're in Italy, but it's easy to fall into tourist traps and sacrifice being present in the city's majesty because you're dodging crowds. My absolute favourite time to visit is in the winter - misty, romantic, empty, and moody.
In Stellavision style, I'm skipping the obvious attractions and sharing my hidden favourites:
Shop
La Perla: More than 50 islands make up the Venetian Lagoon and if you can, get off the main ones to see the rainbow-hued houses and artisan lace tradition on one of my favorites: Burano. There are 35 women on the island who still practice this art form, the youngest is 40 and no one new is being trained in the laborious craft. In this shop, La Perla, there are seven women who collaborate - they each contribute one type of stitch. The intricate netting in the centre is the 'Emma stitch', which will be gone when the 103-year-old Emma is no longer with us. If you have a chance to see this piece of history, don't skip it.
Eat
Covino: After aperitivo, head to my favorite dinner spot, CoVino. In the 16-seat restaurant, you can expect a combination of classic Venetian ingredients with a young, inventive hospitality crew. It's delicious, intimate and personable. You definitely will need a reservation so book ahead.
La Perla Gallery. Source.
Stay
Hotel Danieli: This is one of Venice's historic and grand dame hotels. Bar Dandolo on the main floor is a nod to the building's history - originally named Palazzo Dandolo, it was the home of Venetian nobility. Enjoy the Murano glass chandeliers (another art form from a lagoon island), the historic staircase, lit fireplaces and a helluva bar menu. A perfectly cozy, pre-dinner aperitivo on a January evening.
Hotel Danieli. Source.
Also included in the notes:
her favorite spots for modern and contemporary art
a mesmerizing spot to experience old-school art
her top hidden gem that she describes as “an incredible view, una segreta (secret!) and a museum all wrapped into one.”
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