Venice Biennale: What to Do and Where to Stay

Excitingly enough, this year the Biennale celebrates its 55th anniversary, featuring works from almost 90 countries, with 48 collateral events. The festival takes place until November 24th, 2013 at the Giardini, at the Arsenale, and in other various venues thoughout the city. It showcases contemporary art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre on every corner of Venice.

When visiting the Biennale, The BAUERs Group is widely recognized for having four of the most luxurious properties to stay in Venice L'Hotel, Il Palazzo, Il Palladio Hotel and Spa, and Villa F. L'Hotel known for their chandeliers, marble floors, lush gardens, and beautiful fabrics, and only minutes away from St. Marks Square home to Venice's chicest shops and eateries. Il Palazzo has the charm of 18th century Venetian gothic architecture and features spectacular views of the Grand Canal, and St. Mark¹s Basin. Il Palladio Hotel and Spa, located on Venice Giudecca Island, is known for its views of the water and for its unique spa treatments, like the Magnolia Massage, held in a bedouin style white linen tent beneath an ancient Magnolia tree. Also situated on Giudecca Island is Villa F, the Group¹s most recent property, previously home to noble Venetian families, with historical significance to the Renaissance, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Francesca Bortolotto Possati, owner and CEO of the BAUERs, who caters to all aspects of her properties and guests, also created a list of suggestions and tips for those going to Venice during the Biennale.

For art lovers, Ms. Possati recommends:

The Seguso Exhibit at the BAUERs L'Hotel, ongoing everyday until September 29th, 2013. The name Seguso became synonymous with quality glasswork during the fifties and sixties when the prestigious glass factory was under the direction of creative genius Flavio Poli, winner of the Grand Prix at the Brussels International Exposition of 1958.

Ai Wei Wei Exhibit at Zuecca Gallery, on Giudecca Island, ongoing everyday until September 15th, 2013. This exhibition at Zuecca Project Space presents us with an immediate sense of the drama of an event, which underlines the contradictory development of contemporary China.

Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church, which she describes as ³one of the hidden gems of Venetian Renaissance architecture.²

The Marciano Library, designed by Sansovino and regarded by the famous architect Palladio as the most beautiful building in the world, contains a multiplicity of literature, including the most praised works of philosophy and poetry.

Isola San Giorgio Maggiore, otherwise known as the ³Island of the Cypresses,² she recommends for its fruit and wine gardens, monasteries, Palladio¹s Basilica, the Teatro Verde, and the library, Biblioteca del Monastero Benedettini.

She recommends seeing the painting, Le Cortigiane (The courtesans) by Carpaccio at Museo Correr, the civic museum. She also recommends visiting The Ghetto‹the Venice Jewish museum.

As for shoppers, Ms. Possati suggests her favorite places, which include:

Caterina Tognon in San Marco for its contemporary art, and Venitia, with the finest and most exclusive Venetian art, including dolls, fabrics, and masks.

Also, Gianni Basso for its engraved stationary, and Massimo Micheluzzi for its Venetian glass.

Lastly, for restaurants, Ms. Possati suggests to dine at:

De Pisis, the restaurant at the BAUERs Il Palazzo, with its extraordinary view of the grand canal.

Antiche Carampane, one of the oldest trattorias, located by the Ritalto Bridge, and famous for its Casso Pipa.

Da Fiore, for those who love seafood, has some of the best in the world, and has served American celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Mick Jagger, and Tom Cruise.

More information: www.bauerhotels.com