Venice is a well-trodden city, but no matter how familiar, it remains utterly mind-reformatting. City streets at sea level, history from an almost decoupled age, illogical beauty around every corner – the simple fact is that Venice is wholly unique and always will be – no masterplan, rudderless and ill-conceived for the 21st century - pure magic.
Pity those trying to recreate this impossibly unworkable urban centre, it will never be done. The impassable streets & bridges, the immeasurable urban management challenges, or the threats of climate change – Venice shouldn’t function. But function it does and remains a unique celebration of human ingenuity and cohesion.
Venice is truly inspiring - salt water lapping at feet, decaying buildings defying physics and endless landmarks to pivotal moments in human development. Summer is famously crowded, but away from peak periods the crowds thin. Incentive travel events in Venice can be staggeringly good - food, wine, culture & activities.
Venice landmarks are both consequential and ubiquitous. For incentive events requiring inspirational settings, Venice is out on its own. The infrastructure and transport connections are well-established, the venues are wonderful and the vistas are inspiring. Venice is no ordinary incentive travel destination.
Venice consists of 118 islands in the northern Adriatic Sea. The principal sites in Venice are located on the island city of Venice (Centro Storico), making this island an absolute honeypot for visitors. Out of peak season and with cruise ships now banished to more distant ports, the crowds are entirely manageable, and the city is alive throughout the year.
The popularity points to the allure of Venice as an incentive travel destination. Few, if any, locations globally have concentrations of culture and history like Venice. Those enjoying a 2 or 3-day incentive programme will spend their time feasting on the culture & atmosphere and visiting sites by foot or water.
One of the most Instagrammed locations on the planet, the island is pure eye candy. Yet whilst the Rialto or San Marco draw the crowds, every corner of this stunning landscape offers a treasure – ateliers are found next to local bars, and restaurants are neighbours to museums. Backdrops to incentive events don't come more magical than Venice.
Venice is entirely car-free, everything is moved by water from people to cranes and groceries. Water taxis, ferries and gondolas ply every metre of waterfront in Venice. Even the airport transfer is unique & magical – step out of the terminal and onto a water taxi, skimming across the lagoon as the Venice skyline looms larger & larger until docking at a central hotel.
For those looking to experience more than the central sites of Venice city, Murano is a magical island reached by water and hosts the world-famous glass industry that goes by the same name. Tours can be arranged and there are several wonderful sites to explore and venues to host events within Murano, including in the workshops.
Whilst avoiding the huge visitor volumes of Venice, Murano is popular all the same, with visitors drawn to the historic glass foundries, which produce the world's finest glass. People also come for canal-side shopping and entertainment, open squares, and views of Venice – Murano is a magical place to explore.
Lido is an island south of Venice, which acts as a barrier between the Adriatic and the Venetian Lagoon. A spit of land that created the lagoon, Lido looks one way onto the Adriatic and the other onto the lagoon. Lido is connected by regular ferries from the main island and incentive events can utilise Lido as a base for accommodation or as an activity location.
Lido is home to many Venetians, giving it a very different feel to the well-trodden streets of Venice city. Lido is a place of grand villas and monied residents, coastal bike trails and even cars. Electric buses are exclusively used on the excellent local transport network that runs north to south.
Lido is long and thin, fringed by beaches on the east coast, and a lagoon waterfront on the west coast – visitors are never far from the water. The beach resort of the Venetian islands, Lido has an upmarket, feel to it with a casino and some excellent hotels. The central area around Santa Maria Elisabetta has shopping, entertainment, and gorgeous villas.
Host of the Venice Film Festival, Lido is the centre of world cinema each August / September, adding serious style to the island (and wider Venice), as the celebrities move around the lagoon. As an incentive event backdrop, Lido isn’t dripping in history like Venice but offers a serious Italian beach vibe.
Dominated by water, Venice offers a range of exciting incentive travel activities on the waters around Venice and the wider region. Sailing is possible in the Venice lagoon and on the open seas beyond. Stand-up paddling is popular on the Adriatic side of Lido-Pellestrina with gentle sandy beaches making it ideal for novices.
Kayaking is an option in the mountains north of Venice as is Canyoning. White water rafting is another group event activity that is possible in the region, whilst in Verona, there is the possibility of a city rafting tour, offering a whole new water-level perspective on this fantastic city.
Venice is one of the most culturally significant regions in the world and there is a huge range of cultural activities all within easy reach of the main centres in Venice. Glass foundries, art galleries, artisan workshops, museums and churches – the options for group cultural activities in Venice are hard to beat.
Then there are the gondolas, a leisurely way to traverse between the landmarks and a truly iconic event experience in Venice. Peak season waterways can be crowded but not nearly as much as the walkways and bridges of Venice – escape the crowds on the water.
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Italian cuisine is revered globally and Venice is a gastronomic delight across the many islands. The Venice waterfront is one of the main dining attractions, with superb food complemented with fairy-tale views out over the shimmering lagoon.
It is also possible to combine a boat trip to an alternative island with the dining experience, many of the waterfront restaurants being located close to the wharf.
Away from the main tourist centres of Venice, there is an absolute bounty of incredible dining experiences. The side streets of Venice are where the locals eat, and traditional Venetian lunches and dinners are a real, authentic Venetian experience.
Special dining events can be arranged throughout the islands with catering brought into many unique venues.
Restaurants are the cornerstone of evening entertainment in Venice. The vibrant nightlife of Venice often begins on a restaurant terrace, enjoying fine cuisine and wonderful regional wines. From the waterfront to the side streets of Venice, there are endless options for dining on magical terraces.
Venice streets are as vibrant during the evening as the day, offering a wonderful atmosphere for group events. There are exquisite, historic venues to meet and enjoy a Prosecco in, yet Venetians also keep it simple with clusters of wine drinkers gravitating around historic landmarks – street wine Venice-style.
Protected from development, Venice is forced to adapt its entertainment to the existing built environment. For bars, that means either outdoor terraces or wonderful, intimate bars amongst the labyrinth of streets. Sunset cruises are another way to enjoy a drink, amongst the splendour of the Venetian backdrop.
The nightlife highlight of the Venetian calendar is the Carnevale di Venezia or Venice Carnival, a world-famous gathering of boats, costumes, and dazzling venues, with masks providing anonymity that has captivated these occasions for centuries.