Venice Luxury Guide: Experiencing La Serenissima with Palazzo Barocci
There are few cities in the world that embody timeless luxury like Venice. A place where history floats alongside you on gondolas and palazzi seem to rise out of the lagoon, Venice is a stage for the refined traveller. For those seeking the city’s grandeur with an insider’s touch, Palazzo Barocci, perched directly on the Grand Canal, offers the perfect anchor. Its discreet elegance, private terraces, and personalised service make it more than just a hotel…
Insider’s Venice:
Experiences Beyond the Obvious
For seasoned travellers who know how crowded Venice can feel, exclusivity lies in access:
Private Palazzo Concerts – Skip the crowded opera houses and attend an intimate recital in a privately owned Venetian palazzo, where candlelight reflects on gilded frescoes. These evenings are invitation-only, often arranged through a hotel concierge.
After-Hours at St. Mark’s Basilica – Experience one of the world’s most visited landmarks completely empty, bathed in golden mosaics under soft illumination. Exclusive tours allow you to walk the nave long after tourists have gone.
Wine Tasting in the Lagoon – Board a private boat to the lesser-known island of Mazzorbo, home to the rare Dorona grape. The Venissa estate offers a tasting of wines unlike anything on the mainland, paired with Michelin-starred cuisine overlooking the vineyards.
High-Jewellery Appointments – Venice is home to hidden ateliers specialising in bespoke pieces, from Murano glass art to rare gems. Arrange a private showing away from storefront crowds.
Seasonal Elegance in Venice
Spring (March–May): When the canals glisten under soft light and magnolia trees bloom in hidden courtyards, Venice feels reborn. This is the time for quiet gondola rides and leisurely aperitivos on the Grand Canal before the summer crowds arrive.
Summer (June–August): Warm evenings invite rooftop cocktails and moonlit gondola serenades. For a refined escape, arrange a private motor launch to the islands of Torcello or San Francesco del Deserto – sanctuaries far from the bustle.
Autumn (September–November): The city’s cultural season begins. The Venice Film Festival and Biennale attract a global elite, and evenings are best spent in palatial dining rooms sampling seasonal white truffles paired with Barolo.
Winter (December–February): Fewer visitors make Venice at once intimate and mysterious. Carnival season transforms the city into a living theatre of masks and silks – best experienced at a masked ball inside a 16th-century palazzo.
Where to Stay in Venice: Palazzo Barocci
Set within a 19th-century palazzo overlooking the Rialto district, Palazzo Barocci strikes a balance between heritage and modern refinement. Suites open onto private terraces where champagne breakfasts unfold against the panorama of gondolas slipping by. Inside, marble, Murano chandeliers, and bespoke Venetian fabrics pay homage to the city’s artistry, while the attentive staff ensures that every detail – from opera tickets to private water taxis – is seamlessly arranged.
For the discerning traveller, Venice is best savoured slowly, with discretion and exclusivity. At Palazzo Barocci, the city is not just visited but truly lived – elegantly, privately, and with the spirit of La Serenissima herself.
Palazzo Barocci, a member of the VERTU Collection