The best way to get under the skin of a city is to tour it with someone who knows it intimately. Let these well-connected locals be your personal guide for a luxurious stay in magical Venice and Florence. Unusually low tourist numbers offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find authentic and luxurious Italian life without the crowds. 

 1. My Venice.

 Venetian Anna Covre and her husband Fred Tubau are award-winning designers who work between Paris and Venice. They share their favourite Venetian addresses.

A Place to Stay: The couple spent four years restoring Palazzo Christo a thirteenth century palace ten minutes-walk from San Marco Square. Today it offers four luxurious, contemporary rental apartments in a beautiful quiet square. https://palazzocristo.com/ 

Describe winter in Venice:

During winter Venice is wonderful, quieter without the crowds and the weather makes the canals especially atmospheric. Food stalls fill the narrow streets, scenting the air with delicious smells. In the run up to Christmas churches have beautiful traditional nativity scenes set up. 

Then from February onwards there’s the famous Venice Carnival. I particularly love “Il Ballo del Doge,” an exclusive masquerade ball in the final week. It’s an opportunity to wear the famous costumes of designer Antonia Sautter. 

Restaurants to book:

I like AMO at Fondaco dei Tedeschi. It’s casual with a menu that changes seasonally and also Ombra del Leone in St Marco with friendly service and good quality, simple dishes. It’s somewhere the gondoliers like to eat.

Favourite café:

The terrace of Cafe Rosa Salva in Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. It is the oldest café in Venice and right next door to Palazzo Cristo.

Best walk:

I don’t have one specific route. It’s more the atmosphere of any walk through Venice, losing yourself among the streets and squares where time seems to have stood still for five centuries.

Most visited book shop:

Acqua Alta a stone's throw from Palazzo Cristo. Books are piled high and there’s always a cat dozing at the entrance. 

Shops to Bookmark:

For clothes, Pot-Pourri is a small boutique with tailor-made designs inspired by classical Italian style with a subtle Venetian twist. For interiors, Colonna glass shop in Murano is a huge showroom and factory over two floors with antiques and reproductions of great classics including chandeliers and beautiful vases.

What to bring home:

A pair of handmade velvet slippers called le furlane, typical of Venice. Find them in Piedàterre, a small shop under the arches at the Rialto.

My secret Venice: 

The best way to see Venice for us locals is by boat. The city has two faces, the one you see while walking and the one you see by boat. Visit the islands scattered in the lagoon and linger at a bar or a restaurant. For example on Certosa this year because of Covid chef Alajmo has opened a pop-up restaurant called Osteria alla Certosa. 

For more information: www.veneziaunica.it

2. My Florence.

Valeriano Antonioli is CEO of the Lungarno Collection, the Ferragamo family-owned hotel management company. Here he shares highlights from his personal address book.

A Place to Stay: The Lungarno Collection has four luxury hotels in Florence. For an elegant city centre base with a view of the Arno check into elegant five-star Portrait Firenze, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

https://www.lungarnocollection.com/ 

Most memorable city view:

The tower of Palazzo Vecchio, Torre di Arnolfo, was built around 1310 and provides spectacular birds-eye view of Florence with a full panorama to the Camminamento di Ronda. In general, I try to always look up as I walk anywhere in the historical centre because Florence offers a thousand unexpected surprises.

How I relax:

I go for a jog up to San Miniato. The route includes beautiful avenues with hairpin bends. Once you reach the top of the basilica, if you’re lucky, you might hear the monks singing. 

 Favourite restaurant:

Società Canottieri Firenze, the first Florentine rowing society with direct access to the Arno river just below the Uffizi has a beautiful members restaurant and bar, also available for special events. 

Favourite café: 

Caffè dell’Oro, especially with its new decor for a coffee and delicacies. It’s the only café with a front row view of the Ponte Vecchio.

My regular book shop: 

Piccola Farmacia Letteraria, a little book shop on the outskirts of the centre and a wonderful concept. Books are cataloged based on emotions, attitudes, and mental state rather than by plot. Each book is accompanied by a leaflet written by a psychologist.

Where I shop:

Being able to have a shirt tailor-made at Simone Abbarchi in Borgo Sant. Apostoli is always a favourite luxury. For luxury goods in general, the Salvatore Ferragamo Boutique on Via de’ Tornabuoni is not only a byword for quality but a unique shopping experience because of the wonderful location of this historical palazzo. My favourite market is Sant’Ambrogio Market, dating back to 1873 and tucked away close to Santa Croce. It’s a true local market. 

Favourite interior design shop: 

Riccardo Barthel near Porta Romana are interior designers who sell and restore furnishings and have beautiful showrooms and workrooms in Oltrarno. It’s also the location of Desinare, a wonderful cooking school.

Best time of year in the city: 

Autumn thanks to harvest time. There’s nothing more special than gathering grapes and olives locally and serving them straight to your table. 

What to bring home:

A good bottle of wine, especially if purchased directly from a winery in the Chianti region. Share it in memorable company to make it extra special. I often take a day trip from Florence to the Chianti region, stopping at Cantinetta di Rignana in Greve-in-Chianti for a lovely meal in a beautiful location.

Where to relish the perfect Aperitivo:

The rooftop La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale not only for its enthusiastic mixologists but also for one of the most exclusive locations in Florence with a view directly on the Ponte Vecchio. You’ll have an unforgettable aperitivo.

For more information: www.destinationflorence.com

Before arrival, all travellers should ensure they are fully compliant with the latest COVID-19 regulations. For more details on travel to both cities head to http://www.italia.it/en/home.html