Postcards from... Booklet 2022

The Baglioni Hotel Luna is cloaked in history. A stone’s throw fromSt. Mark’s Square, the palazzo dates to 1118, and throughout the years has undergone transformations froma convent into an aristocratic palace.Today’s hotel brims with original details, like ornate stuccowalls, Murano chandeliers, watercolor paintings, gold fixtures and original ceiling frescoes in theMarco Polo ballroom that are attributed to pupils of Tiepolo, the 18th centuryVenetian painter. Instead of playing second fiddle to the priceless art within, the culinary offerings hold their own, especially at award-winning Canova restaurant, renowned for itsmenu and extensivewine cellar. San Marco 1243 Art and gastronomy in harmony Baglioni Hotel Luna Hotel Heureka Fondamenta Gasparo Contarini, Cannaregio Boutique Style Sanctuary Located in Cannaregio, away from the hustle and bustle of St Mark's Square, but close enough to explore all that the city has to offer, Hotel Heureka is a boutique property with just 10 luxurious bedrooms Carved out of a 16th century palazzo, overlooking the tranquil Madonna dell’Orto Canal, the building has been restored to bring back the splendour of its origins marriedwith the vibrant look of the present.There is a joyous and eclectic style where some bedrooms have restored frescoes and statement bathtubs by the bed. Others have show-stopping bathrooms and four-poster beds with lavish drops. It also has a garden, which is a rarity on themain island. Ruggero reigns at the Black Cat The island of Burano, famed for exquisite lace- making and colourful houses, is also home to one of Venice’s most charming family restaurants. Husband and wife Ruggero and Lucia set a jovial tone for “The Black Cat” while son Massimiliano shares his passion for wine as a resident sommelier. Feast on hyper- local specialities like homemade tagliolini noodles with spider crab or Burano-style risotto with small fish from the lagoon waters surrounding this canal-side gem. Book in advance otherwise you may find yourself in a large queue of opportunists. A favourite sunday outing for the locals. So fresh the chef decides the menu daily Osteria Alle Testiere is a tiny restaurant in the south east district of Castello. Easy to miss, this tiny restaurant was opened 20 years ago by friends Luca de Vita and Bruno Gavangnin and seats just 22 diners in a space of only 35m2. Chef Bruno changes his menu every single day, offering local fish and seafood from the lagoon in the fresh and light style traditional of Venetian cuisine like tiny pilgrim scallops with mint and lemon and the house speciality of artichoke and ricotta ravioli served with local langoustine and prawns. Hitting all the right notes Founded in 1720 as a coffee house and once a meeting point for glitterati heading to the nearby Fenice theatre, this historic spot was reborn as a gourmet restaurant in 1952. Opera diva, Maria Callas, would head there after a spirited performance and it retains its reputation as one of the city’s finest restaurants to this day attracting new age divas like Elton John. CourtesyofNannaDis