Maider Ithurbide Just Back From Venice, Italy

Name of Advisor

Maider Ithurbide

Destination 

Venice, Italy

Accommodations and/or DMC/On Site

I stayed at Londra Palace and Splendid Venice, and site-inspected Nolinski Venezia, The Gritti Palace, Violino d’Oro, the newly reopened Hotel Gabrielli, and Aman Venice. On the ground, I partnered with Italy with Class for guiding.

How to get to

For most clients, I recommend flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and arranging a private water taxi directly to their hotel’s dock or a nearby pier—it’s both the most seamless and the most cinematic way to arrive. Venice also pairs beautifully with Northern Croatia or other parts of Italy via short flights or train connections plus a quick boat ride, so it’s easy to fold into a longer itinerary. Also for clients for love art and want to come for the Bienale

Recommended For (families, couples, corporate, celebrations, etc)

Venice in the low season is perfect for couples, mother–daughter trips, and curious travelers who value atmosphere over a checklist of sights. With fewer crowds and softer light, there’s space for slow walks, long lunches, and proper hotel time—ideal for clients who’ve “done” Venice once and are ready to experience it more deeply.

Not-to-be-Missed Experience or Activity

A privately guided walking tour that leaves San Marco behind and wanders into quieter sestieri was a highlight; with my Italy with Class guide, we slipped into hidden courtyards, small churches, and neighborhood squares I never would have found on my own. Pair that with a half-day on the lagoon—watching glassblowers at work in Murano, then drifting over to Burano for color-drenched lanes and a slow lunch—and you see a Venice that feels lived-in rather than staged.

Favorite culinary aspect of the hotel or region

My favorite food memories were evenings spent grazing on cicchetti in tiny bacari tucked into side streets away from the main thoroughfares. Standing at the counter with a small glass of local wine and a plate of seasonal bites—like baccalà mantecato crostini or whatever the kitchen had just pulled from the fryer—felt wonderfully local and easy to weave into a day of exploring.

Favorite Wellness aspect of the hotel or region

Wellness in Venice is all about rhythm: walking everywhere, letting yourself get pleasantly lost, and having long stretches of time with no agenda beyond following quiet canals. Early mornings and blue-sky afternoons along the lagoon were a complete reset for me—especially in low season, when you can actually hear the water and church bells instead of the crowds.

Favorite amenity 

At Londra Palace, waking up to wide-open lagoon views and starting the day with breakfast overlooking the San Marco Basin felt like a luxury all its own. I also loved how many of the properties I visited—like The Gritti and Aman Venice—have their own docks or discreet water entrances, so clients can arrive and depart by boat in total ease and privacy.

Kudos to: refers to a guide, chef, member of hotel team, etc. that went out of their way

My guide through Italy with Class was outstanding: intuitive, deeply knowledgeable, and excellent at balancing history with real-life stories so my mom and I stayed engaged the whole time. I also felt genuinely looked after by the teams at Londra Palace and The Splendid, who were quick with thoughtful restaurant suggestions, local tips, and small gestures that made traveling with my mom feel especially memorable.

Additional Remarks

What stood out most was how different Venice feels in the shoulder and low seasons: the same postcard views, but with room to breathe and actually connect with the city. For clients who are flexible on timing, steering them toward this window can completely change their relationship with Venice.

Please list the Virtuoso amenities and any other special touches they add for our clients

Across our preferred Venetian partners—Londra Palace, Nolinski Venezia, The Gritti Palace, Violino d’Oro, Hotel Gabrielli, and Aman Venice—Virtuoso guests typically receive daily breakfast, priority for room upgrades when available, and added-value credits or experiences that can be used toward dining or spa. In practice, that often looks like welcome treats on arrival, personalized notes, and a sense that the team knows who you are and why you’re there before you even step off the boat; I always confirm the exact amenity set for each property at the time of booking.

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To plan a trip, contact maider@ederratravel.com