This historic glass-blowing business has always produced extremely exclusive glassware. Vases of all shapes and sizes take on magical colors and transparencies in a plethora of styles. Collaboration with a variety of modern designers and artists such as Ettore Sottsass has insured that the decorative glassware remains contemporary. Today, Venini produces vases, glasses and chandeliers, which are exported all over the world. Decorating your home with Venini's pieces adds a wonderful dimension to the interiors and brings an unique charm.
Since 1984, La bottega dei Mascareri has been showcasing and selling masks. Each of the mask is a masterpiece that stands for innovation and mastery over intricate designs. The hand-painted masks often feature in Hollywood movies as well as California Shakespeare Festivals taking this art beyond the bounds of Europe. The owner-cum-artist Sergio will be more than happy to show you around and help you to choose one.
Martinuzzi is touted to be the oldest shop selling lace in Venice. Most other lace shops in the city import their goods from foreign lands, however Martinuzzi has stuck to its traditions and is one of the best places to buy handspun Venetian lace items. As soon as you enter the shop, you are greeted by racks of laces in a variety of colors and intricate patterns. Whether you are looking for bobbin lace, bedspreads, table cloths or mats, this place has it in unusual and fashionable patterns that are sure to infuse an element of surprise in your home. This store also takes custom orders to design bed sheets for oversized beds.
Masks of all kinds are available at Ca' Macana, one of the best-known, mask-making studios in Venice. They produce a wide range of masks including favorites as Pulcinella (Punch), the Bauta, the Plague Doctor and the colored, gilded eye-masks. Many of them can be spotted in Tiepolo paintings. In the nearby workshop, the owner organizes courses teaching the theory and the practice of mask-making and explaining how to prepare papier-mâché decorations. Ca' Macana also offers short conferences on the history of Carnival and the importance of masks in the city's culture.
Everyone of us wants to prepare an authentic Italian meal that will appeal to the eyes as well as palate. We are always awe-struck, when elaborately prepared meals with lovely presentation are served at a gourmet restaurant or a cooking show. At I Tre Mercanti, you can actually shop for ingredients that go in the making of a lavish Italian platter. At this store, you can also savor delightful panini as well as Tiramisu sweets that are liked by all. For more details, check website.
Located near the iconic Rialto Bridge is the world famous Mercato di Rialto. The market is frequented by tourists and locals like for its fresh fruit, vegetables, groceries and fish. The market stands in the heart of city and has the famous Grand Canal as its neighbor. Full of local color, a browse through the stalls is a must, even if you have nothing to buy. Prices are lower than in the shops and the fish is always extremely fresh. A few meat shops around the market also sell cavalo (horse meat). It is also a perfect place to collect souvenirs as a memorabilia from Venice.
Founded at the beginning of the last century, this glass-blowing business has produced some of the most beautiful creations in the history of glassware; its collections from the 1930s and 1940s are particularly stunning. Among the most recently pioneered techniques is one called scavo (or excavation), which makes glass look opaque, similar to antique glass.
This address is in Frezzeria - the ancient street where the arrow-makers plied their trade. You will need to walk from the old San Marco cinema towards San Luca. If you have problems with your eyesight, this optician - which is part of a network of four in the historic city center - can provide you with a pair of glasses in an hour. You can choose from a variety of designer frames including: Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Police, Ray Ban and Dolce & Gabbana.
This jeweler opened in the mid-19th Century and over the years has become an institution in Venice, close to the Rialto Bridge. It's the place to buy Rolex and diamonds, and the customer service is excellent.
Luigi Bevilacqua is one of the most famous Venetian weaving mills in the world, its history spanning three centuries. Both the headquarters and the factory are located in Venice. Here, you can watch and admire the creation of splendid prints, brocades, velvets and damask at close range, they can also be viewed in several Venetian palaces. Choose from a luxurious range of upholstery fabrics to decorate your home or choose from their exclusive range of bags that team up well with chic evening wear. Check website for a complete catalog of quaint fabrics.
Only a street away from the Galleria dell'Accademia, this exquisite shop resembles an art gallery. Gorgeous works of art adorn the walls of the large rooms at the Antichità Pittarello, and furniture is also on sale. It is owned by one of the city's most knowledgeable and respected antiques experts. Find a host of home decoration options on the shelves here as you browse through their collection of stained glass paintings, antique furniture, pretty sculptures and models among other things. Check website for more details.
If you need to rent costumes for a perfect Carnival disguise, Atelier Venetia’s tailors offer a great selection of them. Antonia Sautter designs historical costumes and also personally creates new fantasy ones that are usually the highlights of Venice Carnival Dances. Quite often she uses fabrics of her own design and production. Antonia also revitalized the Venetian tradition of Carnival parties, creating the famous Ballo del Doge. She also produces silk and damask pillows in various shapes and sizes, velvet accessories and slippers for everyday use. They are on sale in her shops along the Frezzeria (just off Piazza San Marco) together with papier-mâché masks, puppets and home furnishings.