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:

  • Palazzo Morosini

    Palazzo Morosini

    Palazzo Morosini is a mixed Venetian Gothic and Renaissance palace in the Castello Sestiere which is unfortunately inaccessible to the public.

  • Daghe adosso, Nino!

    Daghe adosso, Nino!

    An Austrian admiral giving orders in Venetian, in a naval battle against Italy, which eventually led to Venice becoming Italian

  • Le Arti che vanno per via (1753) — Gaetano Zompini

    Le Arti che vanno per via (1753) — Gaetano Zompini

    The “Arti che vanno per via nella città di Venezia”, by Gaetano Zompini, is a fantastic source for how people appeared on the streets of Venice in the mid-1700s.

What others said

This tour will add depth to your delight of this magical city.

October 7, 2021

We did this tour on our first morning in Venice and I highly recommend that. You’ll be ready with so much more awareness of what there is to see here. René, an historian, explains about how to really see all that is there to see in Venice. “Hidden Venice”, but hidden in a way that is often surprising and fascinating. There were a number of times over our 5 days in Venice that we said “oh look, that’s what René told us about!” This tour will add depth to your delight of this magical city.

Andrea
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René connaît très bien sont sujet

September 28, 2021

René connaît très bien sont sujet, il est passionné et passionnant. Son style atypique est spontané et fascinant. C’est un guide parfait pour les gens flexibles et curieux.

Fabienne
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September 27, 2021

Guida molto preparata, disponibile e gentile. Esperienza davvero ottima

Enrico
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Tour guidato diverso da solito

September 26, 2021

Tour guidato diverso da solito. L’esperienza ha rispettato quanto descritto con note simpatiche e appassionanti, coinvolgendoci con aneddoti personali. Abbiamo scoperto una Venezia che non conoscevamo e la storia di questa città che spesso non viene enfatizzata.

Federica
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Highly recommended

September 11, 2021

A really interesting tour of some of the sites of Venice. Some great historical information. Highly recommended

Tom
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September 10, 2021

È stata un’esperienza interessante per l’arricchimento personale della conoscenza di Venezia

Eliana
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Very fascinating to get more historic understanding

September 4, 2021

Rene was very kind, organized everything well and you could really tell that he knows what he is talking about. Very fascinating to get more historic understanding and one of the reasons I will definitely come back for another visit. Since the tour I’ve seen the city with other eyes. 😉

Nele
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No Title

August 25, 2021

Ottimo per chi desidera conoscere in maniere seria ed approfondita la storia di Venezia con sguardo attento ai piccoli dettagli e alle curiosità.

Marco
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