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Author: The Smalls

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Murano, Italy

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Destinations.

Just a short boat ride from Venice, Murano offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse into lagoon life while preserving one of Italy’s most celebrated artistic traditions. Known throughout the world for its master glassmakers, Murano has been producing extraordinary works of glass art since the 13th century, when Venice moved its furnaces to the island to protect the city from fire.

Today, Murano remains a place where craftsmanship is not a demonstration for tourists but a living tradition passed from one generation to the next. Beyond its workshops and galleries, visitors discover peaceful canals, elegant churches, hidden gardens, and a slower pace that feels worlds away from the crowds of Venice.

Gelateria Nico

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Activities.

Overlooking the Giudecca Canal in Dorsoduro, Gelateria Nico has been serving generations of Venetians and visitors alike. Its waterfront terrace offers one of the most enjoyable and authentic spots in the city to pause and enjoy a sweet treat while watching boats glide across the lagoon.

Gran Caffè Quadri

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Restaurants.

Since 1775, Gran Caffè Quadri has occupied one of the most coveted locations in Europe, overlooking the magnificent Piazza San Marco. For centuries, artists, intellectuals, aristocrats, and travelers have gathered here to observe the rhythm of Venice from what may be the city’s most iconic terrace.

Today, under the stewardship of the Alajmo family, Quadri remains one of Venice’s essential experiences. While many visitors stop for coffee, those in the know arrive later in the day, when aperitivo hour transforms the café into a front-row seat to the spectacle of Piazza San Marco.

As orchestras perform beneath the arcades and the light shifts across the square, guests sip spritzes, Bellinis, champagne, and classic Italian cocktails while watching Venice unfold around them. It is one of those rare places where the setting is every bit as memorable as what is in the glass.

Ristorante Quadri

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Restaurants.

Perched above the iconic Gran Caffè Quadri in Piazza San Marco, Ristorante Quadri is one of Venice’s most celebrated dining destinations and proudly holds One Michelin Star. Under the direction of the renowned Alajmo family, the restaurant combines extraordinary Venetian hospitality, refined contemporary cuisine, and one of the most spectacular dining settings in Italy.

Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Bars.

Tucked into a hidden courtyard just steps from Rialto, Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso delivers exactly what visitors hope to find when they imagine a traditional Venetian bacaro. Intimate, lively, and unapologetically local, it offers an authentic introduction to Venice’s beloved cicchetti culture.

The menu features a rotating selection of Venetian small plates, seafood specialties, local wines, and regional favorites. The atmosphere is energetic and convivial, with guests gathering around wine barrels, small tables, and counters overflowing with tempting cicchetti.

Venice M’Art Francy’s

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Restaurants.

As evening falls over the Grand Canal, Francy’s reveals an entirely different side of The Venice Venice Hotel. Set within historic Ca’ da Mosto directly across from the Rialto, the restaurant becomes the hotel’s after-dark gathering place—romantic, atmospheric, and unmistakably contemporary while remaining surrounded by centuries of Venetian history.

The setting is exceptional. Byzantine arches, exposed brick, amber lighting, and textiles inspired by ancient Venetian tapestries create a seductive backdrop that extends from the intimate courtyard and historic sotoportego to the coveted terrace overlooking the Grand Canal.

The menu mirrors the hotel’s philosophy of looking simultaneously backward and forward. Venetian specialties are reinterpreted alongside refined international classics, using seasonal ingredients and presented with the playful creativity that runs throughout the Venice Venice experience. Expect dishes such as sarde in saor and baccalà mantecato alongside crudo, oysters, pastas, meats, and sophisticated classics.

Francy’s feels less like a conventional hotel restaurant and more like the evening expression of everything Venice Venice is trying to create—a meeting point between historic Venice and the city it might become next.

Venice Venice Store

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Activities.

More than a boutique, Venice Venice Store serves as the creative laboratory behind the Venice Venice vision. Created by the founders of Golden Goose, the space explores the intersection of fashion, art, design, books, objects, and contemporary craftsmanship through a carefully curated collection of discoveries.

Rather than focusing on traditional souvenirs, the store celebrates creativity and cultural dialogue. Limited-edition collaborations, collectible objects, publications, fashion pieces, and rotating installations make each visit feel unique.

The experience is less about shopping and more about exploring a modern interpretation of Venice through the eyes of its creators.

Venice M’Art Bar at Francy’s

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Bars.

Perched directly on the Grand Canal within Venice Venice Hotel, M’Art has become one of Venice’s most stylish destinations for aperitivo. Contemporary design, exceptional cocktails, and front-row canal views create a setting that feels distinctly modern while remaining deeply connected to Venice’s historic rhythm.

From afternoon spritzes to evening cocktails, M’Art attracts a sophisticated mix of locals, creatives, hotel guests, and travelers seeking a more contemporary side of Venetian culture.

Venice Venice Hotel

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Hotels.

Set within the beautifully restored Palazzo Ca’ da Mosto on the Grand Canal, Venice Venice Hotel is one of the most ambitious and creative hospitality projects Venice has seen in decades.

Created by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, the visionary founders of Golden Goose, the hotel was conceived as far more than a luxury property. It is a living cultural project dedicated to reimagining Venice for a new generation through art, design, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity.

Historic architecture and centuries-old Venetian details coexist with cutting-edge installations, custom furnishings, contemporary works of art, and experimental design. Every space feels intentional, inviting guests to engage with Venice not as a museum, but as a city that continues to evolve and inspire.

The hotel’s position on the Grand Canal provides immediate access to the city’s iconic landmarks, while its atmosphere feels distinctly removed from traditional luxury hospitality. Creatives, collectors, artists, designers, and culturally curious travelers gather here because Venice Venice offers something increasingly rare: a luxury experience with a point of view.

This is not a hotel that celebrates nostalgia. It celebrates possibility.

Barolo Beach

Written by The Smalls on . Posted in Beach Clubs, Restaurants.

Created by the team behind Barolo Restaurant, Barolo Beach offers a stylish escape where Mediterranean cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and relaxed island living come together on the shores of Santorini. Guests can move seamlessly between the beach, pool, restaurant, and bar, enjoying a setting that feels both sophisticated and effortlessly welcoming.

By day, it’s a destination for long lunches, swimming, and sun-soaked relaxation. By night, candlelight, music, and sea breezes create one of the island’s most inviting seaside atmospheres.