Top Venice Unique Experiences

We had a wonderful time on our kayak experience in the canals of Venice. Our guide was friendly, patient and informative regarding both the history and daily lives of Venetians. The area we kayaked was relatively quiet without too much traffic from private boats or water taxis, but you will definitely be sharing the canals so be sure to follow your guides instructions. You don't need to be an expert kayaker to enjoy, but some small level of experience is helpful. Venetians view their boats much like we view our cars, so showing the same respect is expected (trying to avoid hitting them or pushing off with a paddle) which can be a little stressful. Canals are narrow, so a single-person kayak is suggested as it is more easily controlled, especially on some of the tighter turns. That said we had a two-person kayak and managed fine. This is a water sport, so expect to get a bit wet. I'm a larger guy, so our kayak sat a bit lower in the water, making it more susceptible to some overlap from waves created by passing boats, especially during the short time spent out in the lagoon. Meeting point can be a bit tricky. It's at the end of a small alley that ends in a canal. There is a wood door on the right all the way at the end. We arrived a bit early so the door was closed, which is normal while they are out on a tour. I believe there is always someone there who will answer if you knock. Don't be confused or alarmed by the lack of visible kayaks when you get there. The put in point for the kayaks is actually inside the building. We could see the church where Amazon owner Jeff Bezos got married directly to the left of the entry point. They do have a bathroom available for guests as well as complimentary lockers to store any you don't want to get wet! They also provided the use of a water-proof clear pouch for your phone if you want to take pictures!

We had a very nice time, Ester was lovely & catered the tour to suit our interests, we stopped for a coffee along the way. We went to areas that we wouldn’t have gone to, some of which were less crowded, she was knowledgeable about the area so that was great. Two hours was enough for us but you can go for a longer time if you prefer

Rarely has a vacation “experience” been as enchanting, educational, and fun as the one my friend and I had with Massimo. We communicated a bit before our meeting where he inquired about food allergies or preferences. He guided us through our morning, explaining that our cooking would start in the sea, and move landward to the mountains, entertaining us with history and anecdotes of his family’s longevity in the area. First stop was at the fish market in Venice where he picked out shark, mantis shrimp, and mussels for our meal but gave us time to peruse all the delicacies of the sea. His kitchen was an cozy setting where we participated in making and cooking pasta for the seafood, putting rosemary and pickled onions on the homemade focaccia, all while enjoying a nice prosecco. Truly one of our best meals in Italy, Massimo’s engaging passion for cooking and eating was one of the highlights of our trip.