Hidden History — Private tours

Byzantine art on the walls in Venice

Your tour, your interests

A private Hidden History tour can be anywhere in central Venice, at any time of day, and concentrate on the topics which interest you.

I can meet you at your hotel in the morning, or at the restaurant where you’ve had lunch, or wherever it suits you in Venice, and we’ll walk around the city together, searching for messages from the past.

If you have any particular interests, we can concentrate more on those subjects.

A two-hour private tour is minimum €200 for the group, or €40/person. Longer tours are charged at €75, or €15/person, for each additional hour.

Payment is normally at the end of the tour. I accept most credit cards (Visa, Master, AmEx, etc.) and, of course, cash. Payment in advance is also possible, but not a requirement.

You can book by email to info@historywalksvenice.com.

Alternatively, you can browse the available times, and book your private tour directly in my calendar. You’ll get a confirmation email, and I will be notified immediately when you click the link in that email.

These articles are examples of some the topics we can discuss on a private tour:

  • Early Venice

    Early Venice

    Venice wasn’t founded. Venice happened, and events and reasons behind it happening are rather complex. This series researches the origins of Venice.

  • The Venetian Lazzaretti

    The Venetian Lazzaretti

    The lazzaretti in Venice were the Venetian republic’s response to the emergency of the plague, and an efficient response too.

  • Strada Nova – from the Station to Rialto

    Strada Nova – from the Station to Rialto

    Venice changed from a city which primarily existed for its inhabitants to a city dominated by tourism, and the Strada Nova was the first step.

What others said

Grazie mille per la grande preparazione e passione che ci ha trasmesso

December 19, 2021

È stata una bellissima esperienza per entrare nella storia di questa città unica e meravigliosa. Abbiamo potuto capire e conoscere tanti aspetti che normalmente sfuggono, tanti dettagli che nascondono pezzi di storia, e fare inaspettati collegamenti con l’arte, la vita quotidiana e le particolarità di Venezia

Sara
Verified

Thank you so much for taking the extra time with us!

December 12, 2021

René was a brilliant tour guide. He knows so much about every corner of Venice, covering info you won’t find in guide books. His knowledge of the history of both the city and the region added so much to our experience. Thank you so much René! Would highly recommend the tour to anyone visiting Venice.

Zara
Verified

René is full of interesting knowledge

December 9, 2021

René is full of interesting knowledge and was very passionate about sharing it with us. He is a human encyclopedia and adapted the tour to our special interests. We would highly recommend booking a tour with him!

Charlotte
Verified

Definitely recommend!

December 9, 2021

Excellent tour. Great communication, very, very interesting. Definitely recommend!

Horatio
Verified

Thanks for a fantastic experience

December 9, 2021

Rene is certainly passionate and knowledgeable about the subject. Quite a unique tour. Even my teenagers found it rather illuminating.

Elaine
Verified

Rene is incredible knowledgeable

December 1, 2021

Rene is incredible knowledgeable about history in common and Venice in particular! he knows a lot about The history but also how it is to live in a city that is so special! ask questions and you will get tons of answers and he is someone who won‘t stop after the time is over, when he has time he will go on telling you stories about things you probably would not notice. we have done another typical tourist tour which wasn‘t good at all, so we can only recommend this kind of tours, if you are interested to hear something off the beaten path and where you don‘t have the feeling to being ripped off.

Jörg
Verified

No Title

November 28, 2021

Renè è stato puntuale ed è sinceramente appassionato. Ama la città in cui vive e la racconta nei particolari.

Simona
Verified

Recommend the tour without restriction

November 24, 2021

Loved the tour and storytelling of Rene. He incorporated also socialhistoric, technological practices and comparison with other societies at that time. It felt like old Venice came to life and i am feeling richer in knowledge and appreciation of the surroundings. Recommend the tour without restriction

Panagiotis
Verified