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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.