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Itinerary

2026 Venice Biennale

It is recommended that guests schedule air travel from US to Italy, Venezia, Marco Polo Airport to depart Sun, May 10 with arrival Mon, May 11, 2026 in Venice.

Return flight is recommended Mon, May 18, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: The following itinerary is subject to change. Participants will receive a comprehensive itinerary in mid-April, leading up to the trip. 

Mon, May 11

  • Arrive in the beautiful city of Vencie at Venezia, Marco Polo Airport
  • Independent transfer to your hotel
  • Check in at the luxurious Hotel Colombina, just steps away from Piazza San Marco
  • Meet for an unforgettable welcome dinner with the group
View out airplane window over Venice

Venice, Italy

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.
Three images of the Hotel Colombina in Venice

Colombina Hotel

Located in the heart of Venice, Hotel Colombina consists of a historic 18th-century palace and an elegant piano nobile, accessible from a private courtyard. Every morning a fresh breakfast is served in the frescoed atrium on the main floor or in the dedicated lounge of the Palace, where it is possible to admire the beauty and style of a historic Venetian residence. For those who wish, Hotel Colombina offers an enchanting private pier with an exclusive view of the Canonica Canal and the Bridge of Sighs. Ideal location to enjoy the sunset while savoring traditional Venetian delicacies together with a good glass of wine.

Tue, May 12

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Travel by private vaporetto taxi to Il Giardini for a guided visit to the Venice Biennale National Pavilions 
  • Explore the neighborhood and eat lunch on your own at the charming Antica Osteria Da Gino or similar in the area
  • Guided visit of the National Pavilions continues
  • Meet to travel by private vaporetto back to hotel
  • Free time to explore the wonders of Venice on your own in the evening
View of canal in Giardini with boats

Venice Giardini

The Venice Giardini is an area of parkland in the historic city of Venice which hosts the Venice Biennale.
Entrance to Giardini pavilion at Venice Biennale

Giardini della Biennale

The traditional site of the Biennale Arte Exhibitions since the first edition in 1895, the Giardini rise to the eastern edge of Venice and were made by Napoleon at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was the success of the first editions (more than 200,000 visitors in 1895, more than 300,000 in 1899) to trigger the building of foreign pavilions since 1907, which were added to the already built Central Pavilion. The Giardini now host 29 pavilions of foreign countries, some of them designed by famous architects such as Josef Hoffmann's Austria Pavilion, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld's Dutch pavilion or the Finnish pavilion, a pre-fabricated with a trapezoidal plan designed by Alvar Aalto. The pavilions can be visited during the exhibitions period.
Three images of the restaurant Antica Osteria da Gino in Venice

Antica Osteria da Gino

Nestled in the heart of Venice at Fondamenta S. Giuseppe, 754, Antica Osteria Da Gino is a charming spot that captures the essence of traditional Italian dining while offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As soon as you step inside, you can feel the unmistakable vibe of an authentic Venetian restaurant, where every detail-from the rustic décor to the carefully curated menu-speaks of passion for good food and conviviality.

Wed, May 13

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Visit to Murano and Burano Islands to learn about their rich artisanal traditions
  • Time to explore and have lunch on your own in Burano or San Marco
  • Private guided experience of St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace
  • Travel by private vaporetto back to hotel
  • Free time to explore the wonders of Venice on your own in the evening
Image of building lined canal in Murano Italy with boats
Murano is a famous island in the Venetian Lagoon, renowned globally for its exquisite, centuries-old art of glassmaking, where artisans create intricate glass pieces from jewelry to sculptures using traditional techniques.
Brightly colored homes along canal in Burano Italy

Burano is a vibrant, small island in the Venetian Lagoon, famous for its brightly colored houses, intricate lace-making, and canals. 

Three images of Burano with lace ladies and examples of lace

Burano's lace is exquisite, handcrafted Venetian needlepoint lace. Famous since the 16th century for intricate designs (flowers, geometric patterns), the lace is made with thread and needle, not fabric, becoming a luxury status symbol for European elite. 

Images of gilded ceiling and exterior of St. Mark's Cathedral
St. Mark's Basilica is famous for its breathtaking Byzantine architecture, vast golden mosaics depicting biblical stories, and its role as symbol of power in Venice, housing the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, making it a key pilgrimage site and artistic masterpiece blending Eastern and Western influences.  
Images of Doge's Palace with exterior, ceiling mural and archways

The Doge's Palace is famous as the opulent seat of Venetian power for centuries, symbolizing the Venetian Republic's political might, wealth, and artistic grandeur, featuring stunning Gothic-Renaissance architecture, masterpieces by Tintoretto & Veronese, grand council halls, the infamous Bridge of Sighs to its dungeons, and acting as the heart of government and justice.

Thu, May 14

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Travel by private vaporetto to the Arsenale for a guided visit to the Curator's Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, In Minor Keys, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh
  • Explore the area and enjoy lunch on your own at Le Bombarde inside the Arsenale
  • Experience Biennale side exhibitions, guided by MOCA team
  • Free time to explore the wonders of Venice on your own in the evening
Images of exterior and interior spaces of Arsenale

Arsenale

The Arsenale was the largest production center in Venice during the pre-industrial era and in full-time periods it had up to 2,000 workers a day. It was a huge complex of construction sites where the Serenissima fleets were built and, therefore, a symbol of the economic, political, and military power of the city. La Biennale has hosted exhibitions since 1980, in the spectacular spaces of the Corderie, with its imposing rows of large masonry columns. Since then, further restoration of the site has allowed for an expansion of areas open to the public, including the shipyards, the 16th-century Giardino delle Vergini, and the Sale d’Armi.

Images of the restaurant le Bombarde at Arsenale

Le Bombarde 

Ristorante Le Bombarde in Venice is not a typical permanent restaurant but rather a special event venue, often used during the Venice Biennale within the historic Arsenale buildings, offering an industrial-chic atmosphere with modern lighting for large-scale dining and catering by the Art&Food Group, serving artful Italian cuisine. It's a unique spot known for its temporary transformation during art events, featuring exposed brick, iron, and contemporary design elements.

Fri, May 15

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Curated tour through Old Venice and visits to other Biennale side exhibitions
  • Cross into Dorsoduro for experiences at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and Punta della Dogana
  • Time to explore and grab lunch on your own at one of the charming area restaurants
  • Exclusive private behind the scenes visit to be revealed!
  • Free time to explore the wonders of Venice on your own in the evening
Two images of old Venice and two art images of Venetian paintings

Old Venice

Old Venice refers to the historic city built on islands in a lagoon, founded in the 5th century for refuge from invasions, growing into the powerful Republic of Venice, a medieval and Renaissance maritime empire. It is famous for its unique wooden foundations, canals, art, and trade, and is classified as a historic UNESCO site known for its incredible architecture and unique culture. 

(upper right - detail) Paolo Veronese, The Feast in the House of Levi, 1573, Galleria Accademia.

(lower left - detail) Carpaccio, St. George and the Dragon, 1504, Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni.

Flower covered bridge over canal in Dorsoduro Italy

Dorsoduro

One of the six historic sestieri (districts) of Venice, Dorsoduro is located in the southern part of the city and offers a variety of eateries, indie shops, and vintage fashion boutiques. Known as Venice's university and art district, it offers a more relaxed, residential atmosphere compared to the crowded San Marco area. Its name, which means "hard bone" or "hard back," refers to the district's stable, higher ground that was less swampy than other parts of the city.
Images of Peggy Guggenheim and Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important museums of 20th-century European and American art in Italy. It is housed in Venice at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal, in what was once Peggy Guggenheim's home. The museum houses Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection, as well as masterpieces from the Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof Collection, a sculpture garden, and temporary exhibitions. 
The exterior of Punta della Dogana and interior art spaces

Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana is a contemporary art museum in one of Venice's old customs buildings, the Dogana da Mar. Visitors and critics alike praise the museum for blending historic Venetian architecture seamlessly with avant-garde contemporary art.

Sat, May 16

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Guided tour through Old Venice, visiting additional Biennale side exhibitions.
  • Curated tours of Fondazione Prada and Palazzo Grassi
  • Lunch on your own at one of the charming area restaurants
  • Exclusive private behind the scenes visit to be revealed!
  • Free time to explore the wonders of Venice on your own in the evening
Exterior of Fondazione Prada on canal with blue gondolas

Fondazione Prada

The Fondazione Prada is a Venetian palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal and located in the Sestiere of Santa Croce. It was erected on the ruins of the Gothic building. It is dedicated to contemporary culture founded by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli in 1993. The Foundation presents exhibitions conceived in dialogue with contemporary artists, merging diverse cultural fields such as cinema, philosophy, and architecture. The historic Baroque palace, built in 1724 to a design by Domenico Rossi, was reopened to the public in 2011 following a major restoration aimed at preserving its artistic and architectural heritage. Each year, it hosts significant international exhibitions organized in collaboration with leading artists and cultural institutions.
Exterior of Palazzo Grassi on canal

Palazzo Grassi

Palazzo Grassi is a premier contemporary art museum in Venice, Italy, and a centerpiece of the Pinault Collection. Located in Campo San Samuele and overlooking the Canal Grande, it is housed in an 18th-century neoclassical palace that was the last noble residence built in Venice before the fall of the Republic in 1797. Palazzo Grassi presents major temporary exhibitions, some of which are based in whole or in part on the Pinault Collection.

Sun, May 17

  • Enjoy fresh breakfast at Hotel Colombina
  • Luxury travel by private bus to enjoy a tour of the history of Verona
  • Experience the Gallery of Modern Art, guided by MOCA team
  • Enjoy time to explore Verona and lunch on your own
  • Exclusive wine tour and culinary experience in Valpolicella 
  • Signature farewell dinner at the wine resort
  • Return to Hotel Colombina
Arial city view of Verona at sunset

Verona

Verona is a city in northern Italy’s Veneto region built along the meandering Adige River. It is famous, in part, as the romantic setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, drawing lovers to Juliet's House and its famous balcony. The entire historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected for its unique blend of Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance influences. Rich in Roman history, the city boasts the stunning Arena di Verona, an ancient amphitheater still used for opera, and well-preserved Roman ruins, along with vibrant squares like Piazza delle Erbe, blending history, romance, art, and culture.  
Interior of Gallery of Modern Art, Venice

Gallery of Modern Art, Verona

The Gallery of Modern Art in Verona showcases Italian art from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, with approximately 1,600 works in its collection. The gallery is housed in the historic Palazzo della Ragione, a medieval building that provides a unique backdrop for the modern art. You can also visit the stunningly frescoed Chapel of the Notaries within the complex. 
Images of wind tour and dinner in Valpolicella

Wine Tour & Farewell Dinner in Valpolicella

Valpolicella is both the name of a beautiful Italian valley and the range of celebrated red wines it produces, from everyday drinkers to world-class, complex reds. This renowned Italian wine region near Verona is famous for producing a diverse range of red wines (and some whites) from indigenous grapes like Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, notably the light-bodied Valpolicella, the richer Ripasso, the powerful dry Amarone, and the sweet Recioto, all originating from Veronese terroir known as "valley of many cellars".