How to explore Venice differently this year
Exquisitely beautiful and historic Venice steals the hearts of those who visit. But with warnings from UNESCO about overtourism, the introduction of tourist fees, the trepidation of crowded streets and attractions, and a ban on large cruise ships, it’s hardly surprising that some are looking elsewhere for their European city breaks.
But before you dismiss Venice completely, remember there are still so many good reasons to visit what’s rightly considered one of the finest cities in the world. Those who haven’t visited have much to look forward to, such as world-class art and architecture, fabulous Italian food, and fine wine. Those itching to return will find there is more to this city than its headline attractions, whether it’s a beautiful new destination within the wider Venetian Lagoon, such as Torcello and Chioggia, or spending time in the heart of Venice a little more creatively, exploring neighbourhoods away from the well-beaten tourist trails, like watching gondola makers at work in Dorsoduro.
There are some delightfully different ways to visit Venice in 2025, whether by hopping aboard a gondola (but learning to navigate it yourself), biking along the beaches, shopping for trinkets far from the tourist trail, or visiting its hidden gems.
So if you’re wavering about a trip to Venice, perhaps these reasons will be all you need to add the Floating City to your 2025 travel plans.
Learn how to row, Venetian style
Venice’s iconic rowing style—standing up and facing forward—is synonymous with its gondoliers. It’s a long-standing tradition and a favourite thing for visitors to Venice to experience. This rowing style is also used by athletes, who race batelina boats in a sport known as regate, with a thousand-year history.
On your next trip to Venice, instead of sitting back and letting a gondolier transport you through the city, try the technique in a lesson led by Row Venice. It’s a non-profit organisation of female rowers dedicated to preserving regate and supporting underrepresented female rowers.
You can participate in a lesson as an included activity on Good Housekeeping’s Venetian cruise with departures throughout 2025.
Bike around the island of Chioggia
The island of Chioggia is towards the far south of the Venetian Lagoon. It's a Venetian gem overlooked by many visitors to Venice, yet often described as a second Venice in miniature. Chioggia is a perfect place to explore by bicycle (something you can't imagine doing in the hustle and bustle of the City of Venice), with tranquil cycling paths for easy-going biking.
Set off on a light ride along the island’s beaches and pause at the Lusenzo Lagoon to see the colourful fishing boats or cycle along the Sottomarina seafront on a path that connects the Sottomarina Dam to the Brenta Dam.
A bike ride around Chioggia is one of the optional and included excursions on Good Housekeeping's eight-night cruise of the Venetian Lagoon.
Visit colourful Burano in the Venetian Lagoon
Venice is just one part of the larger Venetian Lagoon. In fact, there are 118 small islands, so don’t restrict yourself to just the most famous part, where you find the likes of the Rialto Bridge, Gallerie dell’Accademia, and St Mark’s Basilica.
Towards the north of the Venetian Lagoon is colourful Burano, where the buildings that line the canals are painted in vibrant shades of blue, green, yellow, and orange. You’ll need to get a ferry or water taxi to Torcello and Burano, or you’ll have the chance to stop there on Good Housekeeping’s eight-day cruise with Monica Galetti in April.
Other must-visit islands around Venice include the northern isle of Torcello, once the greatest city in the Veneto region. It was settled before the Venice we know and love today was founded, but only around 100 people live there today. Its centrepiece is the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the oldest church in the lagoon. In 2025, you can visit both islands on a cruise that ventures to lesser-explored pockets of the Venetian Lagoon.
Watch a mask atelier at work
An integral feature of the Venice Carnival, masks are known for their intricate beauty and styles.
See how these masks are created at Ca'Macana, one of the top handmade mask ateliers in town. You can even try making one yourself at a special workshop, where you'll learn the techniques and materials involved in Venetian mask making and the significance of carnival masks.
A visit to Ca'Macana is included on an eight-day luxury cruise to Venice. And it's not the only visit that focuses on the craftsmanship of the Venetians, either — you can also choose to visit glassblowers at work on the island of Murano and take a walking tour of The Dorsoduro to see a gondola artisan and admire the craftwork that goes into creating Venice’s iconic vessels.
Peek inside the famous sights without the crowds
If you’re a first-time visitor to Venice, you’d rightly want to see some of the most celebrated sights, including St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. But if you’re worried about shuffling around in a crowd of other tourists, relax: there’s a better way.
One of the perks of being a guest aboard Good Housekeeping’s eight-day Venetian cruise is that it includes VIP access to the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the public and a visit to St Mark’s Basilica at twilight for an atmospheric lighting ceremony. It's by far the best way to experience these locations in the peace and tranquillity they deserve — and without a queue in sight!
Sleep soundly on the waters of the Venetian Lagoon
While large cruise ships are now understandably banned from sailing in Venice, the smaller SS La Venezia, a Uniworld ship, is still allowed to sail through the city, making this ship one of the most exclusive places to stay in Venice.
This boutique ship carries just 126 guests in lavishly appointed and well-designed staterooms. They all have comfy beds, river views, and marble bathrooms stocked with Asprey products. Upgrading to a stateroom with a French balcony is highly recommended for a better view of the passing scenery. However, there’s also a fabulous sundeck for sipping Bellinis as you sail.
And if you're worried you'll lose that sense of place you get by staying in a local hotel, rest assured you won't miss out. The SS La Venezia has local accents like exquisite Murano glass embellishments, hand-painted Venetian masks, and gilded accents that mirror the opulence you'll find throughout Venice.
Meet a celebrity chef on an extraordinary ship
Give your holiday snaps some extra wow factor with a few selfies of you and your favourite chef on holiday in Venice together. This year, exciting Venice cruise holidays feature appearances by some of Britain's best chefs.
In April, James Martin will be onboard SS La Venezia. He'll join you on board for one day to give a talk, Q&A, and book signing, and he will personally cook a sumptuous gala dinner in the evening.
Also, in April, there's a special departure for guests to meet Monica Galetti at the famous food market in Chioggia, the so-called 'pantry of Venice'. Then, they can join her for an exceptional lunch onboard the ship, where she'll answer guests' questions.
In May, it's the turn of Michelin-starred Angela Harnett, who will accompany a tour of the wonderful Rialto food market before hosting an exclusive onboard cooking demonstration and taking questions.
Say 'arrivederci' to Venice aboard the Orient Express
End a trip to Venice on a high with a bucket list journey aboard the inimitable Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, bound for Paris. Better still, do it in the company of esteemed British broadcaster Michael Portillo.
On a one-off departure in March, Michael will join you at a restaurant in Venice before the Orient Express eases away from Venice station, and you can hear more about his own fascinating railway travels.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a splurge, but the sheer luxury of the experience is almost unrivalled. Lavish dinners, delightful cocktails, and carousing around the baby grand, a trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express transports you across Europe and back in time to a golden age of travel all at once.
Browse more extraordinary journeys in the latest Good Housekeeping Holidays brochure.
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