The insider’s guide to the perfect weekend, curated by leaders in wealth management: boutique hotels, historic shops, and iconic spots in their favorite cities—places where time slows down and the right atmosphere fosters meaningful encounters and relationships that go beyond business. This month, we set out to discover the Serenissima, a treasure trove of art and history, on the occasion of the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition together with Bianca Arrivabene, Deputy Chairman Italy at Christie’s.
Photo by Rafaela Pröll
Bianca Arrivabene
Bianca di Savoia Aosta, married name Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, was born in Florence and raised in the Tuscan countryside. After finishing high school, she moved to Paris, where she worked for Cartier. Upon returning to Italy, she married Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga; the couple settled in Venice, where they still reside, and where she oversaw the transformation of Palazzo Papadopoli, her husband’s historic family residence, into the Aman Venice, one of the world’s most exclusive luxury hotels. After an initial stint at UNESCO’s Venice offices and a period of freelance work as an event planner, Bianca began her career at Christie’s auction house in 1997, where she is now Deputy Chairman for Italy. In addition, Bianca is CEO of Giberto Venezia, a renowned design brand—the designer is her husband, Giberto—which features a charming boutique on the Rialto Bridge and is carried by international retailers. Finally, Bianca heads A Consulting, an event planning agency whose clients are primarily from the luxury and fashion sectors.
Secret Places Weekend: Discovering Venice
The Perfect Stay | Aman Venice | Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo, 1364
The biggest project of our lives is undoubtedly our family (5 children and now 4 grandchildren as well), but right after that comes having successfully transformed my husband Giberto’s grand family home, Palazzo Papadopoli, from a massive dinosaur with an uncertain future into the most beautiful hotel in Venice, the Aman Venice. It was a home, and it is still a home today, for us and for the hotel’s guests: a 16th-century palace, featuring frescoes by Tiepolo and boasting one of the rarest gardens overlooking the Grand Canal.
A Place of Art and Culture | Giorgio Cini Foundation – San Giorgio Island
A must-see is the Giorgio Cini Foundation, including the two unmissable temporary exhibitions opened for the Biennale, from Georg Baselitz’s solo show to the exhibition exploring the connection between Murano glass and the Venice Biennale. Book audio guides through Visitcini, visit Palladio’s church, climb to the top of the bell tower—perhaps at sunset—and then stop at the San Giorgio Café for lunch or an aperitif: a blend of art, architecture, and tranquility.
My Hidden Corner | Getting Lost in the Sestieri – Venice
Unfortunately, there are no more hidden corners: technology is directing tourists to every corner of the city. The few that remain… we locals no longer share them. But the true luxury in Venice is still getting lost in the sestieri, aimlessly, letting yourself be guided by a ray of light, a quiet courtyard, or a half-open door. This is how the city still reveals itself, far from the beaten paths, in the daily rhythm of its streets.
A Signature Aperitif | Naranzaria – Sotoportego del Bancogiro, 130
At Naranzaria in Rialto, you can sip a spritz while watching boats and gondolas glide by on the Grand Canal. Its name is intriguing, paying homage to the commercial heritage of this area: the Naranzaria was, in fact, the market area where citrus fruits were sold, in the commercial heart of the Serenissima. Today, it remains one of the most pleasant spots for an aperitif, with that ever-changing view that never grows old in Venice.
An Unexpected Evening | Trattoria Alla Madonna – Calle de la Madonna, 594
Next up, dinner at Trattoria Alla Madonna, where we can still enjoy the traditional atmosphere. Opened in 1954 in what was once an old Venetian tavern, it has preserved its genuine, family-friendly character over time, without chasing trends or taking shortcuts. It is one of those places in Venice that feels reassuring: the atmosphere of days gone by, the menu inspired by history, the excellent ingredients, and the rhythm of a city that seems to remain intact here.
Among the historic workshops | Polliero Bookbinding – Campo dei Frari, 2995
In the Frari district, Polliero Bookbinding preserves a rare tradition of Venetian craftsmanship. Here, Anselmo Polliero works with handmade paper to create bindings for books and notebooks, as well as frames, boxes, and custom-made objects. Stepping inside means rediscovering the scent of paper, glue, and the stationery shops of yesteryear, in a space where paper becomes an expression of savoir-faire and artisanal precision.
The Perfect Sunday | Breathing In—at the Lido
The perfect Sunday begins with a long walk at the Lido early in the morning, complete with a dip, all year round. Suspended between the lagoon and the sea, this corner of Venice served for centuries as the city’s gateway before becoming, in the 19th century, its most elegant seaside retreat and today an essential destination for international cinema. My favorite Sunday lunch, however, takes place at home.
A signature gift | Vibi Venezia – Rialto Bridge, 3
On the Rialto Bridge, the Venetian flagship store of Vibi Venezia—the brand of furlane shoes founded by Viola and Vera, our eldest daughters—opened just a few months ago. I like to think of it as a gift with a true story behind it: furlane shoes originated as a popular style in the Northeast and were later adopted by Venetian gondoliers, thanks to their soft soles that didn’t damage the boats. Today, they have become a small symbol of the city, blending tradition, elegance, and a contemporary spirit.
The City’s Memory | We Are Here Venice – Cannaregio 6154
Among the organizations that today preserve the city’s living memory, We Are Here Venice stands out for me. It resonates with me because it doesn’t view Venice as a backdrop for a postcard, but as a fragile city that is still inhabited—one that must be protected in all its complexity. Founded in 2015, it focuses on the environment, citizenship, and sustainability, with a very concrete, research-based approach. It’s a serious and timely way to care for the memory of our city: keeping it alive.
Give Back | AVAPO VENEZIA – SS Giovanni e Paolo Civil Hospital, Castello 6777
When I think of a place of giving, I think of AVAPO VENEZIA (Association of Volunteers for the Care of Cancer Patients), whose goal is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families and to be there for them to ensure support, respect, and dignity. In a city often overwhelmed by worldliness, AVAPO reminds us how much care, time, and attention to others still matter.
Bonus | Giberto Venezia – Rialto Bridge, 2
Glassmaking in Venice is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages and preserved in Murano, where master glassmakers continue to pass down their unique expertise to this day. On the Rialto Bridge is the GIBERTO VENEZIA shop, featuring creations designed by my husband Giberto: vases, glasses, picture frames, pitchers, accessories, and custom-made blown glass objects that emerge from a long process of collaboration with the Murano furnaces, blending design and experimentation with artistic influences. Being in Rialto, the historic heart of Venetian commerce, makes it even more special.
Article from the May 2026 issue of We Wealth.
Subscribe now here to read your magazine every month in print or digital format.
