Although we’ve barely scratched the surface, the tour was a fascinating introduction to Venice history, culture and complex society. René is extremely knowledgeable, very articulate and most importantly, a passionate storyteller. This experience has triggered our curiosity and I immediately purchased a couple of books to read more about the city. I also recommend René’s numerous blog posts, articles, newsletters, lists and translations, providing an idea of the range of possible subjects for discussion during the walks.

Excellent encyclopaedic knowledge. I wish I had prepared a list of questions, because I’m sure Rene would have had the answers!

René is SO knowledgeable about history in the area. René also does an outstanding job of connecting events and movements from around their world and their connections to Venice.

We had a very interesting couple of hours. Rene is clearly a skilled historian able to meet his groups on their level of knowledge and preparation. We are sure that you will appreciate the small groups and the individual design of the tours. We learned a lot Recommended

Not that much to say because this tours actually delivers. It is exactly a tour with Rene with an incredible wealth of knowledge, be it from the architecture to the political system of Venice. Book here if you want to understand more about the past of Venice. And the title does not lie at all,- a lot is present in plain sight but easily to overlook. Definitely recommended!

We enjoyed our stroll around Venice with Renee. Renee is very knowledgeable about European history. We learned a lot about Venice and its trade relations with other nations. We also learned a lot about how Venetian palaces were organized and run, which I found fascinating. Would have liked to have heard more stories about the families that occupied those palaces and their influence on the city state in its prime. Still, we had a lovely time and truly enjoyed Renee’s company and insights.

Good experience with René, he’s passionate about the history of his beautiful city and I recommend you take this experience if you are fond of history as well. We expected a more contemporary visit but ended up learning a lot about the construction of the city and its institution.

It was very interesting to learn about the history of the city through tiny architectural details that you’d miss if you weren’t looking for them! René does a fantastic job.

Renè è preparatissimo e nonostante questo molto curioso e la sua curiosità è contagiosa! Ti fa venire voglia di guardare ogni angolo di muro e i nomi di tutti i campi e le calle per conoscerne la storia Esperienza consigliata!

If you are looking for a very detailed history of Venice then this is for you!

It was so much fun to listen and walk around with René. He has a quite entertaining way to explain past events and show how it impacts Venice today. We learned a lot (goal achieved) and can definitely recommend his tour!

Rene is a first class guide with a deep understanding of Venetian history and culture. A Dane having lived for many years in Venice, he combines the wider perspectives of an “outsider”, with a love of his new “home”. So many guides have only a superficial knowledge of the more famous aspects of Venice, Rene takes you back in time to explain how Venice grew and why, to its gradual decline from a position of a trading supremacy that funded its art and culture. Our time passed too quickly. I would without reservation recommend Rene if you really want to understand this unique city.

I love history and architecture and always want to know the history and stories behind all the unique details on Vancian buildings and streets. So happy I found Rene’s tour! It’s the best tour we had all our trips to Europe. Will definitely take another tour with Rene If we come back to Venice! Highly recommend!

This is my second time taking the tour with Renee, he has a vast knowledge of Venice history. My friend been his fist time, thought the tour was wonderful as well. You will discover the real history of Venice and how people lived at the start of the island. A must take tour while in Venice, you won’t be disappointed.

Rene was a gem! A vast knowledge of history of Venice. A desire to share his knowledge with us. Very pleasant manner is story telling. Great interest to details. Thank you Rene! We learnt so much with you!

Had a great time touring a small part of Venice with Rene. His deep knowledge and passion for history are evident and would recommend to anyone looking for a detailed dive into the history of Venice.

Wonderful tour. Rene was intelligent, friendly and adapted the tour to my interests. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the history of Venice.

Velmi profesionální a učený výklad historie Benátek. Tím myslím tu velkou historii osobností a bitev, ale hlavně i tu každodenní, která je složitější na studium.

If you want to dive in deep into the history of Venice do not look further. Rene happens to be the most knowledgeable person ever about Venice (and world history in general). We actually didn’t really walked around but spend almost 2 hours just at one place. He pointed out all the details and told stories about them. We left smarter, inspired and full of curiosity about the city. Thank you Rene, it’s been a pleasure spending those 2 hours with you!

René e simpatico ed ha una grande conoscenza storica di Venezia che ci ha trasmesso in un bellissimo giro concluso in un bacaro con ottimi cicchetti!

The tour with René was great. He knew so much about the city and history, and what was really fun was when we walked around and he pointed at random things we would never had noticed, and explained the rich history behind each item. Since we asked so many questions, he even extended our tour until he really had to leave, which was very nice of him. It was a really great experience and I would book it again the next time I’m in the city!

A fantastic tour. Every stone has a story. There is so much history in every alleyway for those willing to look. René will be your personal history professor and give you an in depth look at the political, historical and socioeconomic context of Venice. If you are looking for a general overview of the city’s greatest hits, this tour is not for you. But if you want to tread through secluded alleyways and listen to the secret history etched into the walls around you, René is your guide!

Rene is super knowledgeable and we learned so much about Venice history and modern days – definitely recommend!

Renè si è dimostrato da subito molto disponibile e cordiale. Ci ha raccontato una Venezia che ci sarebbe sfuggita con una visita da semplici turisti. E’ stata una bella esperienza, grazie Renè!

Rene is a true historian and a fountain of information. An interesting perspective of the city of Venice.

I took 4 hours tour with Rene in Venice. He was really knowledgeable about the history and gave me great overview of the city. Myself I am interested in history and I want to understand it, so time with Rene was very helpful because I got clear picture of what was going on. I highly recommend tour with Rene for people, who like logical view of history and who want to understand, not only hear random facts.

Rene was an amazing storyteller! I was the only one so it was like a private tour. His tales and great details kept me going in this cold weather. He even extended the time and recommended places to have lunch. One of the highlights was his dog Giubba listening to him and of course, he was an excellent tour partner!

This tour with Renè was fascinating and he shared so much information about Venice. We are really happy we went!!! Katherine and crew

Rene has incredible knowledge and enthusiasm. This was a unique tour because of all the details Rene notices and because we spent less time walking than talking in the square of the meeting place. We were discovering the history of Venice just being in the square and covering the bridge/ the church/ the school/ the statue/ the nearby cemetery which are within 100m of each other. He knows so much that he can easily create a custom experience. His tour was two hours but we talked even more than that as he walked us to our next destination. Highly recommend for lovers of history and unique details.

I took 4 hours tour with René in Venice. He was really knowledgeable about the history and gave me great overview of the city. Myself I am interested in history and I want to understand it, so time with René was very helpful because I got clear picture of what was going on. I highly recommend tour with René for people, who like logical view of history and who want to understand, not only hear random facts.

This is an excellent experience for anyone wanting an explanation behind some of the things you wondered about in Venice or to get their eyes opened to the centuries of stories behind everything.

I walked with Rene for two days in September and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m fairly good on my European history, so quite demanding but I learned so much. I especially recommend visiting some of the lagoon islands!

Incredible depth of knowledge – told the story of Venice throughout the ages through hidden architectural treasures along the streets. Highly recommend

I feel so lucky to have had the chance to walk with René for a couple of hours in Venice. His passion and enthusiasm for this incredible place is infectious and his knowledge and attention to detail unmatched. I felt like a local dodging the crowds to find tiny details of the people and machinations that have made this city what it is today. I don’t think there is a question I could’ve asked that René hadn’t researched the answer to! An absolute treat to be shown the details that hide in plain sight while you sip an espresso. Thank you so much René!

Great tour!

Thank you for your stories and very informative tour of Venice. We really enjoyed learning more of the history. We also really loved the lunch spot you recommended at the end of the trip.

René knows so much about Venice and history in general, he is a fantastic storyteller with lots of knowledge to share. One could listen to him hours on end (which we did afterwards in a café). He showed us that much of Venice’s story is right before our eyes, you just have to look for it. Thank you!

I feel confident no one knows more about Venice than René. There’s so, so much to see on this tour – totally hidden in plain sight – in Campo Giovanni e Paolo that you’ll quickly be appreciative of how much history is embedded all around the full city.

Excellente experience qui permet d’apprendre beaucoup d’elements captivants de l’histoire de Venise! A faire absolument

The weather was bad but overall the experience with René was great. He answered all the questions I have in detail and showed me many little interesting facts and artifacts that might not be found on internet.

I went on this tour on my last day in Venice. René is a well of knowledge, and I’d recommend going on this walk on your first full day, so that you can learn about the history of Venice and artefacts inscribed in the city structures. Highly recommended tour!

René was extremely knowledgable and a great storyteller of Venetian and Italian History. He was friendly and answered all of our questions even those that probably seemed silly. I would highly recommend.

René had an incredible vast knowledge of the history on Venice. He kept us very entertained with all the many insights of the past of the city. So many little details and great stories. He is great at answering questions and has many funny facts. Tour ended at a wonderful residential side of the city, many visitors don’t get to see. This is a must if you are into history and culture of Venice away from the tourist.

This experience is great to get an overview of the history of the Venetian Republic live in a classic public space. René is an expert and fills your time with relatable stories applicable to everyday life.

This was not a walking tour, but a standing in the same plaza tour. rene really knows his history, and we definitely gained some knowledge but we wished to have walked around the area to see things he could have pointed out.

René took the time to understand our level of understanding of Venetian/Italian history and then customized our tour based on that. What he taught us in just 2 hours was incredible. He is very passionate about Venice and history, and this came through in all of the amazing stories he told us. I would recommend taking a tour with him 100%.

Brilliant tour! René is extremely knowledgeable about Venice and Europe history and makes understanding centuries of history easy, accessible and interesting. so many little details would go amiss without his insights. I absolutely recommend this tour.

If you’re into the history of it all, Rene is the right guy for you. He is full of amazing, facts about Venice. Even though it was cold and raining, this tour definitely enhanced our trip.

René est un guide sympathique et qui connaît très bien Venise, nous aurions aimé que le « tour » soit un peu moins statique et nous permette de voir plus de lieux différents.

Very insightful. Time well spent.