Italian-born
Italian-bornwriter, cook and photographer Valeria Necchio tells us how to do Venice
properly.
"Venice has been painted and described many thousands of times,
and of all the cities of the world is the easiest to visit without
going there," writes Henry James in his preface to Italian
Hours.
There's no doubt that there are few mysteries left to a city
like Venice, a place that defeats change and holds on tight to its
traditions and sense of eternity. It's a city that, for centuries,
has lived under the spotlight of the world's elite, its very soul
documented in all forms.
Nothing changes, nothing is undiscovered, and yet there always
seems to be more to say, more to see. Every visit to the floating
city is a surprise, or the pleasant confirmation that, despite the
crowds and the tourist attractions, there simply isn't another
place like it.
The elusive nature of Venice means that a lot of its charm rests
in the details - in the crumbly palazzi and quiet alleys; aspects
that would be hard to include in a list of prescriptions. So make
sure to walk, get lost, see the city at night and dawn, when it's
emptied of people: the details will come to you.
As for the rest - where to stay, eat, drink, shop, go - we've
got you covered. All you need to do is show up hungry - for beauty,
food, and romance.
hotel
Ca'Maria Adele
Venice, Italy
Tucked away in tranquil, artsy Dorsoduro, this intimate boutique hotel combines Venetian opulence with modern, gothic and exotic accents. The five concept rooms (Doge, Moore, Noire, Oriental and Fireplace), feature dark damask fabrics and elaborate Murano chandeliers, and are at once stylish and pleasantly sumptuous. The deluxe rooms and two suites, while just as lavish, show a slightly subtler décor, with muted tones and raw materials that feel quintessentially urban.
Exclusive while also less obvious than other options in the same price range (such as the Gritti, Bauer and Danieli) this contemporary five-star hotel has 16 rooms and six stylish suite apartments, some overlooking the Grand Canal and all discerningly decorated by French designer Philippe Starck. A highlight of the hotel is the Krug Terrace, which in the summer provides a privileged view over the rooftops of the city, plus plenty of quality bubbles.
This fabled luxury hotel has been converted from an 11th-century monastery located on the bucolic, grass-carpeted private island of San Clemente, in Venice’s southern lagoon. Each of the 190 elegant rooms features all of the things you’d expect from a structure of this stature: charm, comfort, character, as well as a restful sight of the adjacent gardens. An impeccable choice if you need some respite from the crowds at some point during your stay.
Address
San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice
Isola di San Clemente 1
30124
Aman Venice lies inside the illustrious Palazzo Papadopoli, a 16th-century building hosting, among its many treasures, frescos by Tiepolo and fireplaces by Sansovino. While the lounge and dining areas are grand and richly adorned in perfect palazzo style, the majority of the bedrooms showcase a current taste and a neutral, soothing palette. The hotel also has inner gardens and a hidden jetty, affording plenty of privacy for the occasional celebrity.
