Venice's Gritti Palace: Small-Scale Wedding Celebrations on the Grand Canal
Facing the Grand Canal in the San Marco district, The Gritti Palace offers a front-row view of Venetian history. First built as a noble residence in 1475, the building has lived many lives—home to ambassadors, aristocrats, and writers—before becoming a luxury hotel. Today, it's part of The Luxury Collection and maintains its residential scale and style, with 82 rooms and suites restored using original woodwork, Murano glass, and hand-painted fabrics.
Each room is distinct, blending Renaissance detail with modern comfort. Some have balconies overlooking the Grand Canal or Santa Maria della Salute; others open onto quieter side streets. Throughout the hotel, historic features remain intact: terrazzo floors, oil paintings, antique mirrors. The Club del Doge restaurant serves regional dishes on a terrace that faces the canal, while the Gritti Epicurean School offers hands-on cooking classes inside a restored kitchen. There's also a spa, intimate and candlelit, run in partnership with Sisley Paris.
For weddings, The Gritti Palace hosts both ceremonies and receptions, primarily for smaller gatherings. Events can take place on the restaurant terrace, in the Red Room, or within the suites themselves for private dinners. The staff offers planning support and access to a network of local vendors. While the hotel doesn't market itself as a large-scale wedding venue, it attracts couples looking for a refined, centrally located space with deep historical character.
Beyond great views, The Gritti Palace offers access to 'The Floating City' of Venice. The hotel's private Riva boat allows guests to explore the canals in classic Venetian style, whether for a quiet ride or a wedding-day arrival. Landmarks like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, La Fenice Theatre, and Piazza San Marco are just a short walk away. From this location on the Grand Canal, the city feels close but never overcrowding. It's an ideal setting for a celebration centered around history, simplicity, and love.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
I watched the ultra-rich descend on Venice for Jeff Bezos' wedding — and was shocked how little locals cared
As I stood in an airless bus shuttling me from my budget airline to the terminal at Venice's airport, the day before Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding, I looked out the window and saw Kim Kardashian's private jet. A bead of sweat dripped down my forehead, and I imagined her handlers whisking her to a private exit, where a speedboat would be waiting to take her into the city. I wanted to ask locals what they thought of a wedding that was either a display of extreme or aspirational wealth — depending on who you asked — in a city where overtourism, high living costs, and homes becoming holiday rentals had seen the population drop by 120,000 to about 50,000 since the 1950s. I found two competing visions of the city. One was pristine and curated: a backdrop for black-tie photo ops whose guests arrived by private jet. The other was chaotic, crumbling, overwhelming, and imperfect, but lived in. From the moment I arrived in Venice, the difference between what the ultra-rich, the average tourist, and the locals experienced was impossible to miss. I used the 50-minute wait in the sun for a crowded vaporetto — Venice's public water bus — into the city to people-watch. I looked from a distance behind a chain-linked fence as a steady stream of VIPs — most notably Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King — stepped from a private dock onto private water taxis. Paparazzi lenses clicked beside me. The boats, some carrying only luggage, were headed to five-star hotels accessible only by water, the canals acting like moats. Feeling flustered, both by what I'd just seen and by the 84-degree Fahrenheit heat, I asked the receptionist at my three-star, slightly dated but perfectly adequate hotel what she thought of the wedding. She wasn't bothered. Venice has bigger problems, she told me: pickpocketing, boats damaging historic foundations, and overtourism. Many Venetians I spoke to echoed that sentiment. The wedding felt distant—a media circus that barely touched their lives. "It doesn't affect us," Francesca Babolini, a Venetian photographer, told me while working on her laptop in a café near one of the main squares. Mario Peliti, an editor and gallerist, whom I found sipping a drink outside a restaurant near a five-star hotel, agreed. "He's not the first or the last rich man to come to Venice," he told me, adding that the city is "absolutely" used to hosting the wealthy in its palazzos, churches, and canals. Once a major trading center between Europe and Asia, it has, of course, long been a destination for the rich and powerful. At the Rialto market — the city's main market, which has been open for seven centuries — traders greeted regulars and haggled over the price of spices, fresh fish, vegetables, and fruit, including gigantic beefsteak tomatoes. The museums were open as usual, and tourists lined up outside, squinting at their maps in the sun. The vaporetto ran on time, although boarding was a battle, with people elbowing for space on already packed decks. At Piazza San Marco, however, there was a break from the routine. Many protests had taken place in advance of the Bezos-Sanchez wedding, largely coordinated by a pop-up group called "No Space for Bezos," and one was underway at Piazza San Marco. A person had climbed one of the three flagpoles in Venice's central square. In a similar spot on Monday, Greenpeace rolled out a huge banner with Bezos' face, reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." The following day, protesters climbed a crane to put up a sign that said: "Tax the rich to give back to the planet." Activists had planned to block the city's canals and fill them with inflatable alligators to delay wedding guests headed for the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a venue in the heart of the city. But the couple moved the final-day wedding celebration to near the Arsenale, an area further out from the center. When the protester finally descended the pole, police carried him away. The crowd erupted in support of the activist, while others shouted: "Shame!" It was a brief reminder that not everyone was indifferent to Bezos and Sanchez's choice of Venice as their destination wedding. Tommaso Cacciari, an activist and fourth-generation Venetian, was among those who helped organize protests against what they saw as a boastful spectacle in their hometown. "Jeff Bezos, in his amazing arrogance, thought that he would come, not to a city, but to a theme park," he said. "He wanted to use Venice as a background, we used him to speak about the real problems of Venice." For Cacciari, the wedding isn't just another celebrity event; it's a symbol of how, in his view, the city caters to the superrich rather than the people who work, grind, and, increasingly, struggle to live here. "Bezos found out that Venice is not yet only a theme park," he went on. "It's still lived in by citizens, by activists, by people who love their city and want to change the way it's being run." The respective representatives of Bezos and Sanchez and the mayor of Venice didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from BI. A protest march was planned for Saturday night, but so far, the activists and the wedding party had yet to meaningfully collide. Judging by how closed off the celebrations were, it seemed unlikely the protesters would get close. The luxury hotels were impenetrable. I tried to get into five of them and was turned away every time. From the early hours each morning, paparazzi camped a canal-length away from the Aman hotel, which was Bezos and Sanchez's wedding basecamp, to get their shots, which were often obscured by a gazebo placed outside the entrance to shield guests from public view. Swarms of police officers blocked access to the Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto church, where Bezos and Sanchez were hosting a welcome party. By Friday, the closest the press and curious tourists could get to the celebrities, who would be attending a party at San Giorgio Maggiore, was a workers' entrance. From there, we saw little more than a fence and a row of security guards. But few locals were even looking. As Bezos and Sánchez's wedding played out behind barricades and blackout gazebos, the rest of Venice carried on. They opened their shops and shouted into phones between puffs of cigarettes. Meanwhile, tourists leaned against stone walls, licking melting gelato. On the same island where the Bezos-Sánchez wedding was taking place, another couple did a wedding photo shoot. There were no bodyguards, fences, or entourage — just a bride avoiding spending too long in the sun to keep her makeup from melting. Aside from the occasional short-lived protest, anti-Bezos posters scattered around the city, and the occasional security cordon, you might not have known anything was happening at all. Two Venices existed in parallel that weekend — one arriving by private jet, slipping onto speedboats; the other waiting in line for the vaporetto, fanning itself in the heat. Cacciari, the protester, said he loves this version of the city, with all its chaos and friction. "A city is a place where people meet, where people even fight," he said. "It's the melting of cultures — even the conflict between cultures."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
7 Things You Should Do in Florence at Least Once, According to Celeb Travel Experts
7 Things You Should Do in Florence at Least Once, According to Celeb Travel Experts originally appeared on Parade. With its Renaissance masterpieces, swoon-worthy architecture and life-changing gelato, Florence is a city that stirs the soul. But with so much to see (and eat), it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's why we turned to the pros—celebrity travel experts like Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Mark Ellwood and Matt Kepnes (aka Nomadic Matt) for their favorite spots in the Tuscan capital. From iconic landmarks and hidden gardens to locals-only gelato joints and a museum filled with medieval armor, these seven picks offer a curated mix of Florence's greatest hits and under-the-radar gems. Ready to fall in love with the Italian city? Here's where to begin. Related: Whether you're climbing the Duomo's dome at dawn or sipping espresso in a quiet courtyard, these are the places travel pros return to again and again. No trip to Florence is complete without a stop at the Duomo, so make it your first destination. Between the breathtaking architecture and magnificent frescoes, it's nearly impossible not to feel something profound—even Martha Stewart got emotional during her visit, recounting a stolen kiss at the cathedral in her documentary Martha. As Samantha Brown puts it, 'The main draw, of course, is Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. Construction began in 1296, but wasn't finished for over 170 years.' This awe-inspiring landmark crowns Florence's skyline with Brunelleschi's iconic red-tiled dome. Don't just admire it from the piazza—climb the dome or Giotto's Bell Tower for a bucket-list view of terracotta rooftops and the Tuscan hills beyond. It's 463 steps to the top, but the panorama is more than worth the effort. After the Duomo, travel expert Rick Steves recommends keeping the cultural momentum going at the Uffizi Gallery, where you can witness The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo up close. "Reserve timed tickets as soon as you know when you'll be in town to avoid wasting hours in long lines, especially during peak season," he suggests. Then follow his self-guided Renaissance Walk (also available as a free audio tour) to connect the city's top sights. He also advises travelers to 'set up a good itinerary in advance, grouping your sightseeing by neighborhood' for a smoother day. Avoid Sundays and Mondays, when many attractions close early, and steer clear of the first Sunday of the month—'free days are actually bad news,' he warns, due to crowds and the lack of reservation options. For a foodies in search of a more local experience, Brown recommends skipping the tourist-filled Mercato Centrale and heading east to . 'It's where actual Florentines shop,' she says—and apparently Stanley Tucci agrees, as seen in his new series Tucci in Italy. The market is packed with stalls offering fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses and irresistible street food, all humming with nonnas doing their daily shopping. Grab a warm porchetta sandwich, find a sunny spot nearby and savor a slice of authentic Florence. Related: Florence may be packed with centuries of art and architecture, but Brown reminds us that it's also about slowing down. 'You don't need to do it all,' she says. 'Find a few places that speak to you, enjoy an espresso or a glass of Chianti and just be present. That's the real beauty of Florence.' For a peaceful pause, head to Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace, where you can sip wine on a shaded bench surrounded by Renaissance statues and sweeping views. Or visit Bardini Gardens for a quieter, less-touristed escape with blooming wisteria in spring and panoramic city vistas. For something more local, Piazzale Michelangelo offers not only that iconic Florence skyline, but also grassy slopes perfect for a picnic or a reflective moment. Travel writer Mark Ellwood has his priorities in order when in Florence—and the first stop is gelato. For the real deal, he shared his favorite spot with the New York Post: , a hole-in-the-wall gem near Palazzo Vecchio, 'all exposed wood beams and Italian-spouting staff.' This is where the original gelato master's legacy lives on. Expect 'gooey faves like rice pudding, tangy fruit sorbets (try the mandarin) and even offbeat combos like pistachio-chili-chocolate," he says. At just €1.80 a cone, it's a deliciously affordable indulgence well worth seeking out. For an off-the-radar escape, travel blogger Nomadic Matt recommends the , a public library tucked inside a former convent just a short walk from the Duomo. Popular with local students, it's also "an important cultural center," complete with a dedicated section on Florentine history, he says. The shaded courtyard, framed by leafy shrubs and a towering tree, offers a calm spot to sit and recharge. But the real hidden gem? The Caffetteria delle Oblate, a rooftop café upstairs with a quiet terrace and one of the best unobstructed views of the Duomo—without the tourist crowds. Related: Kepnes calls the 'one of Florence's most interesting and unique museums,' even though it doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. Tucked away on the outskirts of town, this lesser-known gem houses the private collection of Frederick Stibbert, who also donated his villa and gardens to the city. Inside, he says you'll find over 36,000 artifacts, including ornate historic armor from the Middle East and a fully reconstructed army of medieval knights on horseback in the grand hall. The showstopper? "Napoleon Bonaparte's cloak from when he was crowned," he shares. At just €10 admission, it's a budget-friendly and crowd-free way to explore a completely different side of Florentine history. Next: 7 Things You Should Do in Florence at Least Once, According to Celeb Travel Experts first appeared on Parade on Jun 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Condé Nast Traveler
3 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
How the Bezos-Sanchez Wedding Is Impacting Venice
The island of San Giorgio Maggiore is one of Venice's most beautiful attractions. Hovering in the lagoon directly across from St. Mark's Square, it's home to a church filled with Renaissance art, a bell tower with unparalleled views of the lagoon city, and an ancient monastery where visitors can take guided tours through the Renaissance cloisters, lose themselves in a labyrinth, or marvel at experimental modern architecture. But if you were planning on visiting the island this week, there's bad news: It's been reserved for billionaires. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, a former entertainment reporter, are due to wed in the open-air amphitheater on the island later today. This is an odd time to visit Venice. And yet it's the most talked about city on the planet this weekend, thanks to the Bezos-Sánchez nuptials, which are taking the form of a three-day extravaganza held in various locations throughout the city. A raft of celebrities have taken over some of the area's most famous hotels—Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, and Leonardo Di Caprio appear to be staying at the Gritti Palace, a five-star grande dame on the Grand Canal, while guests who less attached to the limelight are camped out at the Belmond Cipriani hotel on Giudecca island, overlooking St. Mark's. I live by the Arsenale, the city's centuries-old dockyards where the wedding reception will be held on Saturday. Here, they used to churn out a galleon sailing ships in three days. Tomorrow, I should be getting a free Lady Gaga and Elton John concert. But the Bezos-Sánchez wedding has brought far less entertaining disruptions to daily life for many Venetians, who are stuck navigating blocked-off streets in residential areas. Yesterday, I was stopped on my regular walk by security guards as I was near one of the wedding sites. Today, my supermarket run was observed by guards with dogs. On Thursday, a block of the residential Cannaregio district was closed off while the wedding guests had a drinks reception in the cloister of the Madonna dell'Orto church. A video quickly went viral of one local being ordered to take a 20-minute diversion in the blazing heat to get home. Needless to say, that church—known for its dazzling paintings by Renaissance painter Tintoretto, who lived nearby—was also closed to visitors. Some tourists have also felt the squeeze. Those who'd booked the trip of a lifetime at the luxury Aman on the Grand Canal were reportedly moved to another five-star hotel when Bezos and Sánchez block-booked the entire building.
