There is something about arriving in Venice that feels unlike arriving anywhere else. The moment you step onto a boat and begin moving across the lagoon, the journey itself becomes part of the destination.

For this trip, we’re returning to a city we already love—but instead of trying to see everything, we’re leaving room for quiet mornings, afternoon siestas and discoveries that aren’t necessarily found on a standard itinerary.

Day One: Arriving by Water

After landing at Venice Marco Polo Airport, we’ll be met at the gate by a personal envoy who will guide us through the airport. From there, it’s a quick drive to a private dock, followed by a boat ride across the lagoon to Hotel Cipriani.

The entire transfer takes around 30 to 45 minutes, but I’m in no hurry. Nothing brings me more joy than being on the water, and arriving in Venice by boat is one of those experiences that never loses its magic.

Hotel Cipriani sits on Giudecca, a peaceful island just across the water from St. Mark’s Square. We’ll spend the rest of the morning checking in, exploring the property and hopefully enjoying a little pool time while we adjust to the time difference.

Then it’s an early dinner and an early night, so we can wake up refreshed and ready for the city.

Day Two: Venice Before Everyone Wakes Up

We’ll head over to the main island early—around 7 a.m.

One of my favorite ways to experience Venice is to walk through the city before the crowds arrive. The streets are quiet, the canals feel still and residents are beginning their morning routines. It’s a completely different side of Venice: peaceful, intimate and wonderfully ordinary.

We’ll let the morning unfold naturally, walking without much of a plan, stopping in small local shops and finding somewhere for lunch and coffee.

Then we’ll return to the hotel for my favorite travel tradition: the afternoon siesta. When in Rome—or, in this case, Venice—I like to embrace the local rhythm.

Day Three: Exploring the Venetian Lagoon

Today, we’re renting a boat to explore the lagoon beyond central Venice.

There are more than 100 islands scattered throughout the Venetian Lagoon. Some are inhabited, while others are quiet, overlooked and filled with history. We want to spend several hours visiting some of the less-traveled corners and seeing a side of Venice that many visitors miss.

After a day on the water, we’ll return to the hotel for a siesta and then head out for dinner.

We intentionally haven’t made firm dinner reservations for every night. This trip is about being on less of a schedule and allowing ourselves to decide what sounds good in the moment.

Day Four: A Different Kind of Museum Day

We’ve visited Venice several times, so this trip we’re looking beyond some of the city’s most famous attractions and focusing on smaller, less-visited cultural sites.

Our list includes:

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection
A modern art collection housed in Peggy Guggenheim’s former home along the Grand Canal.

The Church of San Pantalon
This small parish church is home to an extraordinary ceiling painting composed of 44 canvases joined together to create one enormous work of art.

Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro
A beautiful collection of Renaissance art displayed inside one of the Grand Canal’s most distinctive Gothic palaces.

After a full day of art and architecture, we’ll have earned another afternoon siesta before dinner.

Day Five: Venetian Shopping

This may be my favorite day of the trip.

We’ll begin with a beautiful breakfast overlooking the lagoon and then take the boat into Venice for a day of shopping. The best shopping days here are rarely about following a list. One small shop leads to another, and suddenly you’ve found something beautiful that you never would have known to search for.

There will undoubtedly be a few familiar names along the way, but I’m most excited to discover independent boutiques, local craftspeople and objects that feel distinctly Venetian.

For our final night, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner—a quiet farewell to the lagoon before heading home.

Day Six: Back to Reality

We’ll pack our bags, take the private boat back to the airport and board our flight home.

Six days of early walks, long lunches, art, shopping, boat rides and afternoon naps—and then, just like that, back to reality.

Until next time, Venice.