Things to Do in Venice This Winter

Experience an evening of opera in Venice, surrounded by the historical elegance of a 15th-century palace. The singers and musicians of the Musica a Palazzo ensemble perform classics of Italian opera within the ornate salons of Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. Move from room to room along with the performers and soak up the drama of epics like 'La Traviata' and 'Rigoletto' in a truly intimate environment.

Take a course on mask making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. You can choose from a production class or a decoration class, or you can even take both. In the production class, learn how to make your own papier-mâché mask, and in the decoration class, you can paint or use materials to decorate your mask. No matter which option you choose, you get to bring home your creation—just in time for Carnival.

Get an inside peek into the world-famous glassblowing factories of Murano on a 2-hour escorted tour. Meet your guide in central Venice, and ride a water bus across the Venetian Lagoon to the colorful island of Murano. Get a private glassmaking demonstration from a master craftsman, and enjoy time to browse the factory showroom featuring finished works of art. Finally, attend your choice of hands-on workshop to create a take-home piece of jewelry or mosaic using authentic Murano glass.

Experience the beauty of Venice by boat on this Grand Canal tour of the city built on water. Glide through the placid waters past palaces, churches, gardens, and bridges as you make your way along the iconic waterway. Then journey into some of the minor canals on this luxury motorboat. Bring the magic of these liquid streets to life on a tour that’s ideal for lovers, photographers, and travelers!

Experience one of the most truly Venetian moments with a 30-minute gondola ride. See the beauty of this unique city from the perspective of its most iconic symbol as you glide through the canals in a gondola. See the hidden places only accessible by gondola, as you get a totally different vantage point than with a walking tour.

Step back in time to the golden age of Italian opera with this guided tour of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. Learn the history and legends of this decadent Baroque opera house, which was once the heart of Venetian high society and hosted performances by masterful maestros like Verdi, Rossini and Bellini.

Celebrate the New Year in grand Venetian style with a New Year's Eve or New Year's Day concert by the acclaimed I Musici Veneziani performers. The ornate historic surroundings of a salon in the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro provide a sophisticated backdrop for a recital of classics by Mozart, Verdi, Strauss, and others. Feel transported to the 18th century as you revel in the sensory delights of 14 singers and musicians bringing these compositions to life while adorned in rich period costumes.