Destination Napoleon Tour

Pietro Querini in Venice Experience

Immerse yourself in the golden age of the Serenissima on an intellectual journey that retraces the footsteps of Pietro Querini:

• The Procuratie in Piazza San Marco: our journey begins at the beating heart of public and political life in the Republic of Venice, where we reveal the key role this area played in governing the Serenissima.
• The Marciana Library: we then visit one of the city’s most prestigious cultural centers to admire the famous Fra Mauro World Map, one of the oldest and most detailed maps in the world, which documents the trade routes and navigation paths similar to those traveled by Pietro Querini.
• The Rialto Bridge: the experience continues to the enduring symbol of Venetian commerce, the historic site where stockfish first arrived to become one of the most beloved ingredients in local cuisine. Here, you will learn how the city evolved from the Serenissima to modernity while preserving the commercial traditions that still define Venetian life today.

Duration: 3 hours

Malvasia Wine Tasting Tour

Guided by an expert sommelier, this sensory journey unveils the historic bond between Venice and Malvasia: the precious wine that filled the hold of Pietro Querini’s ship, the Gemma, on his fateful voyage toward Flanders. You will trace the legacy of the commercial ambitions that drove explorers like Querini by visiting iconic landmarks such as:

• Rialto Market: the vibrant heart of Venetian trade,
• Riva del Vin: a historic landmark for the wine trade,
• San Silvestro Church: the site of the wine porters and transferers. 

Delving into the nuances of the very varietals of Malvasia Querini sought to export, the tour also grants exclusive access to historic cellars to uncover winemaking secrets. The experience culminates in a sophisticated tasting of these legendary wines paired with gourmet cicchetti, allowing you to savor the authentic flavors that fueled the Republic’s most daring expeditions

Duration: 3 hours.

Baccalà Tasting Experience

Discover the culinary legacy of Pietro Querini’s shipwreck on a gastronomic tour dedicated to baccalà, the ingredient that revolutionized Venetian cuisine. Led by a local expert, you will navigate the vibrant stalls of the Rialto Market, where both fresh and dried cod are treated as delicacies, before visiting a selection of authentic osterie. Here, you will taste the dish’s most celebrated interpretations:

• Baccalà mantecato: stockfish is vigorously whipped with olive oil into a velvety, airy mousse, traditionally served on grilled polenta or crusty bread.
• Baccalà in rosso: a savory, warming stew where the fish is slowly simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, embodying the heart of traditional home cooking.
• Baccalà salad: a fresh, light preparation of boiled, flaked cod, seasoned simply with lemon and parsley to reveal its delicate, pure flavor. 

Duration: 3 hours

Baccalà Cooking Lesson

Step behind the scenes of Venetian gastronomy with a private cooking experience led by our professional chef. The day begins with a curated visit to the Rialto Market to select the freshest ingredients and learn the history of this essential fish, followed by an exclusive invitation to the chef’s private home. In this intimate setting, you will master the techniques behind traditional recipes like baccalà in umido and baccalà in rosso, concluding with a convivial lunch where your creations are served alongside excellent local wines.

Duration: 4 hours.

Rowing Lessons in Venice

To truly understand the soul of a navigator like Pietro Querini, one must first understand the lagoon that raised him. Before commanding great ships across the Atlantic, Venetian explorers were intimate with these waters. Experience this maritime heritage through the noble art of Venetian rowing. Starting from a historic rowing club, an expert instructor will teach you to row standing up, facing the bow. Far from the noise of modern motorboats, you will glide through the scenic and tranquil canals of Cannaregio, seeing the city from the perspective of its ancient sailors. The journey pauses only to drift in front of traditional bacari for a tasting of authentic cicchetti directly from the water: a tribute to the simple pleasures that sustained the Republic’s seafarers.

Duration: 2.5 hours.

Pietro Querini Family Experience

If you are visiting Venice with kids, allow us to transform the city’s labyrinthine streets into a playground of discovery. 

• The Arsenal: our adventure begins at the historic shipyard of the Serenissima. Here, children will discover the city’s maritime history, learning about the great navigators and traditions that allowed Venice to rule the waves.
• Piazza San Marco: in the shadow of the Campanile, we delve into the Golden Age of the Republic. Through games and riddles, we will uncover the story of Doge Francesco Foscari and his deep connections to the history of the state.
• Rialto: the journey culminates at the heart of Venetian commerce. Passing through some of the city’s most fascinating corners, young participants will solve the final puzzles to reveal curiosities about Venice’s mysteries and the legendary figure of Pietro Querini.

Duration: 3 hours.