The real magic of Venice is on the water, so what better way to explore than by boat? Discover famous canals & picturesque islands, plus see the city from a whole new angle, all while relaxing on a private boat.
Come aboard a traditional Venetian motorboat and discover the beautiful lagoon without the touristy crowds.
Want the inside scoop? Throughout this tour, you will share personal insights from the local guide and information about the local culture & lifestyle. Discover the history and hear local legends and take plenty of tips for your stay in Venice.
Be ready to discover Venice’s by boat through the eyes of a local Venetian. The tour will be 100% customized just for you.
You will choose the boat: the price is meant for a little lagoon boat for 2 people, perfect to navigate through narrow canals for a couple of hours. With a price difference you may choose a traditional wooden boat up to 8 people, an eco-friendly electric boat or a comfortable and fancy water taxi.
Posted By : Buzzwinckel
Valerio is a great guide who lives and grew up in Venice. He can customise his tours to suit the needs of the client. Interesting night tour of the Jewish Ghetto and boat trip to get a perspective of the lagoon and islands.
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Posted On : 2023-09-01 02:17:51 
Posted By : D4609EYmarie
“Wow” it’s not enough to describe the experience that the -detourist- gave us!
With Valerio, you will visit not only the touristic spots but Valerio will make you witness the authenticity of Venice like a true Venetian! Historical spot, places, restaurants, nightlife events that maybe lonely planet or routard cannot advice you!!
Highly recommended!!!
Mari-Dani
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Posted On : 2022-09-26 10:40:00
Posted By : Expedition528454
The beauty of the “boat-day” was not simply the amazing location we saw BUT the fact that Valerio takes you in places that he would show to his friends while spending time together.
Molto bene e molto bravo!
Grazieee
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Posted On : 2022-09-25 11:59:29
Posted By : Climber65525608248
The day out with Valerio and Marco was the highlight of our stay.
First rate organisation, very comfortable boat and a lot of stops in places we would not have known otherwise.
Not only were they knowledgeable, but it felt more like a day out with friends who happen to live in Venice.
Cannot recommend more.
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Posted On : 2022-07-24 13:44:58
Posted By : 314robynt
Definitely our favourite parts of our trip in Venice. We did 2 excursions with Valerio, as we
just couldn’t chose. A tour of the canals (including smaller canals) on one day, and a sunset
lagoon tour where we got to see and hear about most of the other islands which are normally
forgotten about. Both trips were incredible and we will absolutely be back, and hope to do
another excursion with Valerio, as he really made our time in Venice fantastic.
The canals tour was wonderful we got to see so much of Venice (and considering one of us
had an injury, it meant they saw far more of Venice (and Murano, including a wonderful tour
of some incredibly beautiful glassworks) then they otherwise would) with very limited crowds,
got to hear some fantastic history and see some great sites in the comfort of a beautiful boat.
As well as several walking tour stops which allowed for the maximum experience (those
areas which just couldn’t be experienced well from the canal).
Then the lagoon tour (after a fantastic gelato, Valerio really recommends the best!) gave us
a beautiful experience of the many islands, with some Prosecco & snacks, and our very
friendly boat driver made the most of the trip. We got to see so many islands I have not even
heard of before on my previous trips and learnt so much about the wealth of history of the
region of Venice, including the route of the word quarantine (very timely!), saw some
beautiful sites and made some wonderful memories, including my nephew getting to learn
how to navigate the boat (I think he has a new hobbie he may want to cultivate). A wonderful
way to celebrate my birthday!
Thank you so much Valerio for taking my many emails, and long list of points and turning the
two trips into everyone’s favourite parts of our holiday tour (and there was some
competition!). Can’t wait to see you again when we return.
Cannot thank you enough!
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Posted On : 2022-06-12 17:15:11
Posted By : David R
My wife and I spent an entire day with Valerio on a wooden boat island hopping, and the day was picture perfect with so many wonderfully unexpected surprises and magical moments.
Before visiting Venice I did tons of research. I spoke to my best friend who is Italian. The best way to summarize Valerio is to explain that he put my Italian friend to shame, as my friend said that island hopping wasn't that great, there were too many people, and he wouldn't mind if he skipped it. By contrast, island hopping with Valerio was an almost enchanted experience.
The wooden boat: the boat we had was incredible. It felt like traveling in a floating work of art and as bigger water buses would rush people by us, we'd cruise along at the speed of the lagoon and it was just perfectly serene. Our boat captain was great and the unprecedented freedom having our own boat allowed us to have was great. Valerio took us to places that I can only describe as hidden oysters. They seem ordinary on the outside, but the minute you open the doors, or pass a corridor, or enter a walled courtyard, you're transported into a magical experience.
Perhaps the most breathtaking was the VIP tour Valerio led us on in the VIP showroom of one of Venice's oldest glassmaking companies. We didn't know that Valerio used to work for them. So when he took us behind the scenes, we were just floored. The glass showroom was unlike anything I had imagined. I imagined I was looking at a supplier of the world's most luxurious hotels. It was so unexpected and so unlike anything people online said about Murano. If you've ever gone to a light garden for the holidays, it felt like that level of enchantedness times 1,000.
Valerio's command of history, culture and storytelling are supreme. Combined with the wooden boat, I literally felt like we were seeing and learning about Venice in the way it was meant to be seen. It was so amazing hearing Valerio point out details casual onlookers would've looked past. And having lunch with Valerio was incredible. One detail that spoke volumes was that at one point Valerio shared that he was messaging clients that he guided weeks and months ago who still kept in touch. Valerio's ability to build that kind of rapport is the best way I can describe what his vibe is like: you're adventuring with a good friend. In fact, when rain momentarily passed through, Valerio got a jacket from his home to lend me. Valerio, you're a gem!
I lost count of the times my wife and I would say, "wow!" because fo what we were seeing, learning and being surprised by. So I don't want to say too much but I will say that Valerio knows the islands like the back of his hand. He took us routes where people were swarming a block away—yet you wouldn't know it based on how it felt on the path we were on. He curated an experience where we felt like the island was ours. He took us to photo spots where we barely had anyone in our backgrounds.
Valerio gave us a day that felt like an entire weekend of richness. I'd highly recommend detouring with him! :)
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Posted On : 2022-06-11 07:53:14
Posted By : choralscholar1
Valerio is an excellent sailor and his boat tours are made even more special by his vast knowledge of how home town Venice. He was eager to help customize the boating experience to my own needs and preferences. He took me to beautiful spots in the city and I saw things I probably would not have seen had I not taken his boat tour. Highly recommended for a special experience of Venice that is not the usual tourist thing. Thank you, Valerio!
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Posted On : 2021-08-05 14:40:37
Posted By : gabrielg538
Adair is an amazing tour guide. I felt this instantly while chatting with her on WhatsApp and agreeing on the options of our private tour. She made sure the tour was totally tailor-made to our family's wishes and coordinated everything (private viewings, taxi boat, workshop activities, fun activities for the kids...). I strongly recommend you contact her to arrange for your private tour while in Venice.
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Posted On : 2021-06-08 04:44:11
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