International Travel & Health Insurance Conferences

An insider’s guide to Venice

We look forward to welcoming you to ITIC Global 2025 in Italy’s beautiful floating city. Plan ahead for your trip with Alysia Cameron-Davies’ useful guide.

ITIC Global 2025 will take place in the beautiful Italian city of Venice, at the Hilton Molino Stucky hotel. The hotel is located on Giudecca Island, just south of Venice’s central districts.

Sightseeing and cultural highlights

Giudecca

Giudecca’s main landmark is Il Redentore, a Renaissance church designed by Andrea Palladio. Stroll along the canal for magnificent views of the city, or wander the quieter side streets and art galleries.

Central Venice

Venice’s main districts are easily accessible via the hotel’s shuttle service, which runs regularly to St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and Zattere. Public water bus (vaporetto) services are also available; the closest stop, Palanca, is a five-minute walk from the hotel.

St Mark’s Square is Venice’s social, religious, and political heart, home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It can be busy at peak times, though crowds are usually smaller in November.

St Mark’s Basilica, the city’s principal church, draws thousands of visitors each year with its ornate facade, domes, golden mosaics, and marble floors.

For panoramic city views, head to the top of St Mark’s Campanile, the tallest structure in Venice at nearly 100m, or visit the Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece.

Connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo across the Grand Canal is the famous and elegant Rialto Bridge. It’s one of Venice’s most photographed landmarks.


Culinary highlights

Italy is renowned for being a foodie’s paradise, and Venice is no exception. The city is particularly known for fresh seafood, risotto, and pasta. Must-try dishes include sarde in saor – sweet-and-sour sardines with onions, raisins, and pine nuts; baccalà mantecato – creamy whipped salt cod, often served on toasted bread; and risotto al nero di seppia – squid ink risotto.

There are plenty of excellent dining options on Giudecca. Standout choices include Trattoria Ai Cacciatori, La Palanca, Cip’s Club, and Majer.

In central Venice, start your day at Fluffy Brunch for a hearty breakfast, or visit Caffè Florian on St Mark’s Square, Italy’s oldest café, and a must for many visitors.

For dinner, Osteria Fanal Del Codega offers exceptional food and a waterfront setting, while Birraria La Corte in San Polo is popular for wood-fired pizza. Arcicchetti Bakaro is a cosy spot for wine and cicchetti, and Impronta serves creative Venetian and Mediterranean dishes in a modern setting.

The iconic Harry’s Bar, birthplace of the Bellini cocktail and beef carpaccio, can’t be missed. Open since 1931, it’s been a favourite of celebrities like Ernest Hemingway. As with Caffè Florian, expect crowds and high prices.


Weather

In November, Venice is cool, with daytime highs of 9–14°C (48–57°F) and occasional rain.