Arts & Crafts Tours

Embark on a truly unique journey with our exclusive Venice Art and Crafts Tours, designed for the discerning traveller who seeks to look beyond the veil of the everyday. While Venice enchants all who walk its marble streets, a deeper, more authentic city awaits in the quiet courtyards and private workshops of its master artisans. We offer you the key to these hidden worlds. Consequently, your visit becomes more than a tour. It is an intimate and cultured dialogue with the city’s living history, a hands-on immersion into centuries-old traditions that continue to shape the soul of La Serenissima.

The sacred fire of Venetian glass

Your experience begins with a truly private audience with a glassblowing Maestro. Far from the bustling crowds, you will step into the heat and focused hush of a real furnace. Here, you will not simply observe. Instead, you will learn the secrets of shaping molten glass. Under the Maestro’s personal guidance, you will create your very own glass object, a tangible piece of Venetian artistry. Afterwards, as a final touch of exclusive service, your creation will be carefully cooled and delivered directly to your hotel.

The face of Venice: a Mask of your own

The Venetian mask is an icon of mystery, carnival, and theatre. In a private workshop, another Maestro, a celebrated “Mascarer”, will welcome you. This artisan will share the fascinating history and intricate techniques behind this revered craft. You will then be invited to choose your own mask and, with expert instruction and fine materials, decorate it yourself. Therefore, you will leave not with a mere souvenir, but with a personal masterpiece, a story of your own making.

The silent glide: secrets of the Gondola

The gondola is Venice’s most elegant and enduring symbol. But how is it born? We will escort you to a private “squero“, one of the last remaining gondola boatyards. In this incredibly atmospheric, time-worn place, the Maestro d’Ascia, or master shipwright, will reveal the secrets of its unique, asymmetrical construction. You will learn why each of the eight different woods is chosen and witness a craft passed down through generations. In addition, this is a rare glimpse into the authentic, working heart of the city.

The threads of light: the Lace of Burano

A short, private boat ride brings you to the vibrant island of Burano. Here, in a historic private atelier, you will witness the sublime art of lace-making. A Maestra will provide a private demonstration, her hands moving with a speed and precision that is truly mesmerising. You will understand the immense skill and patience required to create these delicate, web-like treasures. Above all, it is an appreciation for an art form that once adorned European royalty.