Hidden history – all reviews

Byzantine art on the walls in Venice

Reviews for the Hidden History in plain sight walk.

We absolutely loved our guided tour with René

August 24, 2021

We absolutely loved our guided tour with René! If you want to discover Venice’s history and architecture beyond the well known tourist attractions, René is the perfect guide for you. He is very knowledgeable in both Venetian history as well as current events and took a lot of time answering every question and tailor his tour to the groups individual interests.

Rosanna
Verified

René is very knowledgeable about Venice and its history

August 23, 2021

René is very knowledgeable about Venice and its history. However, I left frustrated. The first hour of the tour we stood in front of the statue at Giovanni e Paolo square and got a little too in-depth with the history. When we started the walking portion, we spent another hour just in the small square, and it was already noon. The tour ran an additional hour over and we made it only about 500m, stopping often to hear about something small. A 30-second information stop turned into a 15-minute lesson. The history is nice and the tour concept is not bad, but I was disappointed I didn’t get to see more of Venice.

Daniel
Verified

Die Tour war super

August 22, 2021

Die Tour war super um etwas über die Geschichte und Entstehung von Venedig zu erfahren! René hat ein sehr großes Wissen über Geschichte und hat uns viele Details und Kleinigkeiten erklärt, an denen man sonnst achtlos vorbei gelaufen wäre! Ich hab die tour an meinem ersten Tag gemacht U danach geht man mit einem ganz anderen Blick durch die Gassen ?! Abgerundet haben wir die Tour spontan mit einem aperol spritz in einer schönen, lokalen Bar mit lokalen preisen?

Maike
Verified

Rene was a great guide

August 21, 2021

Rene was a great guide….took us through the history of venice….and was particularly passionate about society through the ages…..would recommend

Rikky
Verified

Fantastic tour

August 20, 2021

Fantastic tour, and the host has super in depth knowledge of the area and Italian history. Highly recommended!

Boris
Verified

This is the best city tour we have attended

August 18, 2021

This is the best city tour we have attended. Rene is extremely knowledgeable about Venice and proud to share. He started from the broad-picture Venice history and then zoomed in on the details by showing city layouts, buildings, and even carvings on the walls. The tour started in a quiet Campo (square) and then went to some small alleys, with very little tourist or noise disturbance. Rene was so into the presentation and went over for at least a half-hour. His English is fluent, clear, and easy to understand. Rene was also accommodating by letting us postpone the starting time and then letting us join the next day, as our train arrived late. Our visit to Venice wouldn’t be complete without Rene’s tour. Thank you, Rene!

Gene
Verified

Una visione di Venezia che solo chi vive ed ama Venezia può donare.

August 17, 2021

Ottima guida made in Danimark. Parla italiano perfettamente. Mi ha fatto scoprire piccoli particolari a cui non avrei fatto caso. Una visione di Venezia che solo chi vive ed ama Venezia può donare.

Alberto
Verified

No Title

August 17, 2021

Rene’ is a nice guy and was very kind throughout our tour. However, I want to be honest and hopefully this will help his presentation. We just spent way too much time in one place. Should have kept moving and seen more. Rene’ obviously knows his material, however, in my opinion, the presentation was just too slow. My daughter and I took 5 tours on our trip to Europe – Doges Palace, Brussels, Bruges, and Prague were the others . This is the only one of the 5 tours that I would not recommend – at least not in its current format. Again, Rene’ is very knowledgeable and kind, however the presentation was very slow moving and had my daughter and I both looking at our watch to politely end our tour. I do not like giving poor reviews to genuinely nice people like Rene’. I hope this is seen as a constructive way for Rene’ to improve because he obviously has the knowledge of Venice.

Jeffrey
Verified

This is an experience I would much recommend

August 14, 2021

If you are in Venice for only a short time – this is an experience I would much recommend. I got a much better feel of the place thanks to Rene’s tour.

Frank
Verified

René was so knowledgeable

August 14, 2021

René was so knowledgeable we learned so so much! This was a great way to kick off our time in Venice since we learned so much about the city!

Christina
Verified

No Title

August 13, 2021

Intéressa, sympa à découvrir en début de séjour pour affiner son regard sur Venise.

France
Verified

Was a great tour

August 13, 2021

Was a great tour! I learned a lot about Venice and feel like I know much more about the city. Highly recommend

Alex
Verified

Thanks for a fantastic tour

August 11, 2021

Hi René, thanks for a fantastic tour today. As an inorganic chemist I particularly enjoyed the attention you paid to the building materials and construction techniques and how they influenced the city’s development and slow deterioration. Fascinating stuff. And of course the politics of then & now gave us lots to discuss long into the evening too. I think the US American guests enjoyed it very much also.

Sandy
Verified

René was an amazing host

August 11, 2021

René was an amazing host. During the experience you could really tell how passionate he is about his work and how much he loves the history of Venice. Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to know more about Venice.

Lotte
Verified

Thank you for the wonderful tour

July 31, 2021

Rene brought history in Venice to life and was patient and thoughtful all the way through the tour — he was super focused on our experience and extremely knowledgeable. We recommend this to anyone coming to Venice…we only wish we did this tour in the early part of our trip instead of near the end!

Oliver
Verified

A real trip to history

July 29, 2021

René is a great guide, deep into details. Very interesting, you start to pay attention to every part of each building around, a real trip to history. Thank you! Really need much more time to get in touch with the city.

Alexandra
Verified

What a tour

July 28, 2021

What a tour. We got to see a wealth of small, hidden things which tell so much about the history of Venice. René is very knowledgeable and easy going and shares his deep knowledge of Venice’s history in an informal and pleasant way. We also got a great deal of information about what it is like to live in Venice these days, and Rene took us to a more local area where you get a good deal for lunch. We can highly recommend to book this tour.

Karina
Verified

Rene has an infinite wealth of information and generously shares his knowledge

July 26, 2021

Rene has an infinite wealth of information and generously shares his knowledge. He conveys even somewhat dry parts of history in a relatable manner and makes the past come alive. I truly enjoyed the tour and recommend it to anyone interested in learning more of what is beyond of what you see. Rene was very generous with his time and even made sure I got a seat for a good lunch after the tour.

Olivia
Verified

Can highly recommend this tour

July 26, 2021

Can highly recommend this tour if you’re interested in history. René really knows his stuff and is very knowing about both the “big picture” of Venice in the history but also small interesting facts about the everyday life in the city.

Katja
Verified

No Title

July 25, 2021

Really recommend this tour, it was very informative and interesting!

Larissa
Verified

No Title

July 25, 2021

René is a very friendly guide who knows all the small details and stories about Venice. We had a really nice time with him and enjoyed our tour!

Vincent
Verified

No Title

July 24, 2021

René knows an incredible about about Venice. It was a lovely tour, which lasted longer than we paid for.

Youp
Verified

No Title

July 20, 2021

Gentilissimo e preparato. Sicuramente da fare se si vuole approfondire la storia della città e scoprirne i tanti particolari più nascosti.

Marco
Verified

It was truly a pleasure to hear your story

July 20, 2021

If you are looking for a tour that will take you somewhere else the usual most visited spots in Venice, this is it! René managed to explain how the city was built and works by paying our attention to the little details we passed by in the streets. He is passionate about history, life in Venice and adventures! René was happy to share his personal experience of life in Venice and he was definitely the warmest welcome in the city we could have wished for!

Sabine
Verified

you will learn something

July 18, 2021

It was a pleasure to discover some new spots with René. He has tons of knowledge about the city, so even if you know Venice, you will learn something new!

Philipp
Verified

Very enjoyable

July 18, 2021

Rene was a wonderful Guide He was very informative with all the small details while maintaining a continuous narrative of the larger history of Venice. He has embraced the History and spirit of Venice and deserves the title of Citizen of Venice. His command of the English language reflects his educational background. All in All , the Tour was easy , entertaining and educational

Astrid
Verified

Una experiencia maravillosa

July 17, 2021

Una experiencia maravillosa. René logró captar la atención de toda la familia. Dinámico, didáctico y muy instruido. Definitivamente recomendamos a Rene para descubrir a una Venecia mágica llena de sorpresas y misterio.

Fabiana
Verified

René zeichnet kompentent und unterhaltsam ein Bild des historischen Lebens in Venedig

July 16, 2021

René zeichnet kompentent und unterhaltsam ein Bild des historischen Lebens in Venedig. Er hat uns auf so viele Details aufmerksam gemacht, die wir ohne ihn nie entdeckt oder verstanden hätten. Perfekt für alle Neugierigen, die mehr als einen schnellen Überblick möchten. Wir sind mit vielen bleibenden Eindrücken nach Hause gekommen und haben wieder ein etwas anderes, genaueres Bild von unserer Lieblingsstadt.

Nicole
Verified

I can highly recommend this tour

July 16, 2021

I can highly recommend this tour if you want to discover more about Venice and it’s history. René has a deep knowledge of the subject and you can feel his enthusiasm. The walking part of the tour is rather short but it helps you to see Venice with a “trained” eye, which will help you to appreciate the different faces of the city even more than without the tour. I recommend taking the tour if you spend more than just one or two days in Venice in order to enjoy what you’ve learned when walking through the city.

Jonas
Verified

This was a very interesting tour

July 13, 2021

This was a very interesting tour in a part of Venice that didn’t seem so touristy, so it was also a great way to explore a new area. Rene is filled with information and he is also very funny. He answered all my questions and even kept pointing out details after the tour ended as he showed me and the other group member our way to our next stop. You definitely pick up on things you would walk by without thinking about, and a few details will stick out to you the rest of your time in Venice.

Brad
Verified

René is very knowledgable

July 13, 2021

René is very knowledgable and has so many interesting stories to tell. I feel like I got to know the city in a way I could never have done on my own. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a more in-depth tour.

Lotte
Verified

No Title

July 12, 2021

The tour was very nice. We really enjoyed and we ended up spending more than the two hours.

Julie
Verified

Perfect if you are really into history

July 8, 2021

Perfect if you are really into history and want to know every bit of Venice’s history. However I would say this tour isn’t for casual tourists who just want to hear some interesting information about places in Venice, as René often goes into really a lot of detail. He’s definitely an expert on the history of Venice, though, and is super passionate about it. I just expected the tour to be a bit more engaging, and that I would mostly hear more about the places or sights we see. Instead we often stopped for half an hour at a time and the storytelling wasn’t with much interaction or visual aspects.

Ondřej
Verified

Highly recommend this experience!

July 7, 2021

René far exceeded my expectations for this walking tour! He is incredibly knowledgeable about the city, history and architecture and has a great sense of humor. Highly recommend this experience!

Lisa
Verified

Above and beyond expectation

July 7, 2021

Above and beyond expectation! We’ve done many historical tours, but René’s was truly exceptional! He has a true passion for his métier and goes way beyond the standard Venice history trip. A true historian that can link ancient to contemporary sociology-economic and political history to every inch of the city. And anything else that may interest you 🙂 He is humble, professional, fun and flexible to accommodate any special requests. A truly perfect way to kick-off a Venice adventure! With his insights you will spot endless details that otherwise you would walk past. Anything from ancient graffiti, security markers, revolutionary building structures, geological and climate effects, political organizers,… fascinating! No matter if you are an absolute history beginner of well versed in the literature, you will certainly be mind blown! Don’t hesitate for a second to book René’s tour!

Seb
Verified

Rene is very knowledgeable

July 6, 2021

Rene is very knowledgeable. He introduced the history of Venice to me through many details which you may never find it by yourself. I learned how to look at Venice in a more specific way.

Yinyuan
Verified

This was a unique tour

July 6, 2021

This was a unique tour that showed me some history of Venice away from the normal tourist spots. Fun activity, got to see more local Venice and explore areas I would not normally have visited. Rene is passionate about the history and a good storyteller.

Stephanie
Verified

A wonderful look at the history of Venice

July 5, 2021

A wonderful look at the history of Venice, René is a splendid storyteller that takes you on a romp through the early centuries of Venice. The smallest of details that hiding huge stories can be found on this tour. Strongly recommend for history or art buffs.

Mathew
Verified

We loved the tour – was my favourite part of our trip so thank you!

July 5, 2021

We loved this tour – René had amazing knowledge of Venetian history and was able to answer all our questions. We learnt so much and found it really fascinating. A highlight of our trip!

Greta
Verified

If you want to learn about the history of Venice and it’s architecture, Rene is your man

July 2, 2021

If you want to learn about the history of Venice and it’s architecture, Rene is your man! He’s incredibly knowledgeable, and I really got to know how Ventians lived over the centuries, and how to distinguish various architecture types and eras. I wouldn’t recommend this for kids- it was a great value and I learned a lot, but also a little dry.

Nancy
Verified

We very much enjoyed the tour

June 27, 2021

Rene was very informative and clearly has a great love for Venice. We learnt many very interesting facts and mysteries and he was in no rush. We ended up spending 3.5hrs with him. Really well worth it!!

Anna
Verified

A gem of a tour

June 23, 2021

A gem of a tour, especially for people who love to understand how cities function. René even made a discussion of some crumbling bricks interesting. Seriously. René helped us gain a deeper appreciation for Venice. Highly recommend this tour.

Kerry
Verified

War sehr lehrreich, wir haben viel über Venedig erfahren

June 21, 2021

War sehr lehrreich, wir haben viel über Venedig erfahren

Tobias
Verified

Take this tour !

June 21, 2021

Rene was a fantastic guide and storyteller. He loves this beautiful city and it shows. Take this tour !

Kevin
Verified

Rene was very knowledgeable and made the tour so fun!!

June 19, 2021

Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge about Venice history with us! We really enjoyed ourselves.

Alexie
Verified

René has great detailed knowledge

June 18, 2021

René has great detailed knowledge, he is truly passionate about the history of Venice, we really enjoyed learning a lot!

Leonardo
Verified

Excellent tour! Recommend!”

June 12, 2021

Excellent tour! Recommend!”

Anka
Verified

René was an excellent connoisseur of Venetian history

June 11, 2021

René was an excellent connoisseur of Venetian history. He leads us back to the beginning of the first settlements of Venice and explains us how and why everything starts to become the important city of Venice . He shows us little details in the city to illustrate how people lived together in Venice in former times. René was very friendly and a sympathetic tourist guide who is highly recommendable.”

Louisa
Verified

Thank you, René! I had a great time and learned so much!

June 7, 2021

I’m not big on “tours,” so René’s hidden history experience was a perfect way for me to learn about Venice without the crowds. We started with a brief historical overview for context, then he led me through the city pointing out details from ancient graffiti to architectural oddities and sharing the incredible stories behind each one. I would fully recommend this experience for anyone who hates to wait in line for big church tours but is interested in learning about their surroundings.

Lisa
Verified

Loved our tour with René

June 6, 2021

Loved our tour with René! He’s super knowledgeable and passionate about Venice.

Naomi
Verified