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Guide in Venice

Iole Calabrese

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About me

Hello, I am Iole.

I live and work as a tour guide in the historic center of Venice.

I am passionate about both ancient and modern history, and I am an art enthusiast. I combine work and passion in the profession of guiding. And every day, through the eyes of the visitors who join me on tours, I rediscover and relive the beauty of the place that I call home.

I have a degree in Oriental Languages and Literatures from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice and I have been working in the tourism sector for twenty years. The experience I have gained allows me to blend expertise in preparing tourist products with knowledge of the territory, its history, and its uniqueness.

about me

Hello, I am Iole.

I live and work as a tour guide in the historic center of Venice.

I am passionate about both ancient and modern history, and I am an art enthusiast. I combine work and passion in the profession of guiding. And every day, through the eyes of the visitors who join me on tours, I rediscover and relive the beauty of the place that I call home.

I have a degree in Oriental Languages and Literatures from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice and I have been working in the tourism sector for twenty years. The experience I have gained allows me to blend expertise in preparing tourist products with knowledge of the territory, its history, and its uniqueness.

venice is beautiful and i have chosen to live here

Iole Calabrese Guide in Venice

I don’t know if Venice is truly a unique city, but it is the only place where you can still hear the sounds of people’s footsteps. It is the city with a square, as Jean Cocteau said, where “lions fly and pigeons walk”.

Give yourself a gift and let yourself be inebriated by its eternal beauty.

check the tours
Sunset in Venice

GUIDED VISITS

Doge's Palace Venice

THE CENTER OF POWER:
DOGE’S PALACE AND SAINT MARK’S BASILICA

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SAINT MARK’S SQUARE AND THE DOGE’S PALACE
Explore the epicenter of power as we delve into the rich history of Venice, the longest-reigning Republic in the world. Begin with a brief overview of the buildings adorning St. Mark’s Square before immersing ourselves in the political and administrative heart of the Serenissima – the Doge’s Palace. This journey through time will weave together historical anecdotes and artistic marvels.
For those still yearning for beauty, I recommend extending the experience with:

THE MOSAICS OF ST. MARK’S BASILICA
St. Mark’s Basilica stands as an architectural marvel, a stone miracle resting on unique foundations, a shrine of profound religious faith and political significance. Yet, it is the exquisite golden glass mosaics that leave observers astounded. Join me in uncovering its magnificence and fragility.

These tours are in Italian or in English language. 

Scuola Grande di San Rocco Venezia

VENICE AND FAITH:
THE SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO and the Basilica dei frari

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THE SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO
A treasury of art and history, bearing witness to the great religious faith of the Venetians and the centuries-long struggle against recurring plagues, the building that houses the brotherhood dedicated to St. Roch of Monpellier is a hidden gem awaiting exploration! From Tintoretto’s spectacular canvases to the splendid wooden sculptures by Francesco Pianta, here grand history intertwines with small anecdotes, religious faith with the lives of the artists who poured their souls into their works.
And if you still crave beauty, I suggest combining the tour with the following visit:

THE BASILICA DEI FRARI
Rightly considered the most beautiful church in the city after St. Mark’s church, Frari’s Basilica encapsulates true masterpieces that have shaped the history of Italian art!

These tours are in Italian or in English language. 

Ca' Rezzonico Palace in Venice

ART AND NOBILITY AT THE SUNSET OF THE REPUBLIC:
cA’ REZZONICO MUSEUM

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In the 18th century, amidst public and private gaming salons, parties, theaters, and endless carnivals, Venice lived out its final breath of independenc and witnessed a grand artistic production aimed at satisfying refined aristocratic tastes.
The magnificent palace of the Rezzonico family on the Grand Canal hosts the 18th-Century Museum, a jem thus far untouched by the masses. This museum will unveil the astounding art of the century and introduce us to the Venetian nobility at the sunset of the Republic, immersed in its leisure, pleasures and revelries.

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

Accademia Galleries in Venice

VENICE AND ITS ART:
THE MASTERPIECES OF THE ACCADEMIA GALLERY

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The Accademia Gallery is one of Europe’s finest art collections, the treasure trove that encapsulates five centuries of Venetian art. Born from the collection of works saved from the destruction of churches and convents, the museum has evolved over the years, becoming an essential stop for those who wish to discover the grandiose art that Venice has produced over time. Too vast to be explored entirely in a few hours, the best option is always to select a few pieces, allowing time to savor the visit without being overwhelmed by too much beauty! We will then embark on a swift journey through the centuries and the masterpieces of the great Venetian masters, uncovering here and there small curiosities.

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Saint Mark's square in Venice

HOW DOES VENICE WORK?
LET THOSE WHO LIVE HERE TELL YOU

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Does Venice float? Why are the buildings all tilted? And how did they manage to build a city on water? Where does the drinking water come from? Do you have sewers? Where are the schools? How does the postal service work? What about transporting goods and people? But where does the garbage go, into the canal? And when there’s high water, how do you cope? But what is high water exactly?
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? If so, this is the tour for you.

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

Arsenal Door in Venice

VENICE AND ITS ARSENAL: STORIES OF MEN AND BATTLES

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The Arsenal of the Republic of Venice stood as one of the foremost state shipyards in the Mediterranean Sea. Considered one of the early examples of modern industry, it provided employment for thousands of skilled workers, along with their families who resided in the adjoining area. Our stroll around the walls of the Arsenal will unravel the blend of art, industry, significant historical events, and captivating details. This exploration promises to uncover the most authentic and least frequented section of Venice, the one truly off-the-beaten-track!

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

Rialto Market in Venice

THE HEART OF VENICE:
RIALTO, THE MARKET AND SAN POLO DISTRICT

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In the heart of Venice lies the district of San Polo, encompassing the vibrant Rialto area and its bustling market. Here, we encounter the dual nature of ancient Venice—a Republic ruled by the God of Money and the cunning of merchants, yet simultaneously embodying a profoundly religious community. This convergence of trade and religion, sacred and profane, defines the essence of this remarkable city.

Our journey begins at Rialto, a hub where every conceivable type of merchandise is exchanged, and money holds dominion. As we navigate the intricate maze of narrow alleys, the toponymy itself reveals places associated with the world’s oldest profession. Women of good family, by choosing unconventional paths, found ways to attain success. Along this exploration, we will also discover religious buildings and numerous expressions of faith, providing a nuanced perspective on the multifaceted character of Venice.

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

Casanova's Palace in Venice

THE LIFE AND PLEASURES OF A LIBERTINE: CASANOVA AND THE SAN MARCO DISTRICT

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Let’s wander through the enchanting district of San Marco, accompanied by the infamous Venetian libertine, Giacomo Casanova. Venturing into the less-explored and quieter corners of the district, we will seek out the locations that set the stage for the early escapades and passionate romances of the renowned adventurer. Along our journey, we will unearth ancient theaters, monasteries, gaming houses, and historic cafés, some still standing, others only preserved in teh names of the alleys. Through the fascinating tales of Giacomo’s extraordinary exploits, from his wild youth to his dissolute adult life, we will unravel the secrets of how life was lived and enjoyed in the pleasure-loving Venice of the 18th century!

This tour is in Italian or in English language. 

What people say about me

★★★★★
“We visited St Mark’s and the Doge Palace with Iole. Iole’s communication before the tour was excellent and helpful. She gave us excellent information and accommodated her tour to things we we’re interested in hearing more about.
She is genuinely a nice and caring person who shares her knowledge about Venice in an intelligent and informing way. Our group of 4 adults highly recommend using Iole for a tour guide. We had such a great
time!”
Cheryl B.
★★★★★
“Oggi abbiamo avuto la fortuna di conoscere le meraviglie segrete e non di Palazzo Ducale grazie a Iole che é stata una meravigliosa guida. La sua bravura e la sua simpatia ha reso le due ore di tour un bellissimo viaggio alla scoperta di uno dei tanti tesori di Venezia.
Bravissima Iole e grazie delle conoscenze che ci hai trasmesso!!”
Stefano C.
★★★★★
“We had a wonderful morning with Iole touring St Marks Basilica (in-depth) as well as a walking tour around the Rialto Bridge. She is incredibly knowledgeable and was gracious in answering our ‘other’ questions we had about local customs etc. As it was our first full day in Venice, we had tons of questions and she is a font of information! Highly, highly recommend Iole’s service.”
Lea L. C.
★★★★★
“Iole ha accompagnato i miei anziani genitori in un breve tour. Si è dimostrata attentissima ai loro bisogni e li ha intrattenuti con gentilezza ed estrema competenza contagiandoli con il suo entusiasmo e la sua passione. Consigliamo assolutamente Iole a chiunque voglia approfondire le bellezze di Venezia. Non ve ne pentirete! Grazie Iole!”
Isabella D.

★★★★★

“Top guide! Excellent experience with Iole.”

Pedro V.

★★★★★
“Iole è una vera professionista e la consigliamo vivamente a chi si reca a Venezia.
Puntuale, attenta e preparata è stata la guida perfetta per la nostra breve visita in questa città.
Ci ha pianificato la giornata in modo perfetto e l’ha resa indimenticabile.
Avremmo voluto avere più tempo con lei perché è stata eccezionale.
Grazie Iole, al prossimo tour veneziano insieme!”
Erica C.
★★★★★
“Gli aggettivi riguardanti Iole sono davvero tanti… preparata, puntuale, professionista, ma dopo tutte queste P non posso dimenticare quella che direi non è così semplice da trovare in una visita Culturale guidata.. la Simpatia!!!???? Grande Iole!!! voto 10 e lode!!”
Alessandra T.
★★★★★
“Iole was a wonderful guide. We were a family of 4 with 2 teenagers (14 and 17) and spent 2 days wih Iole. The youngsters loved her. She was able to give us a glimpse as the historic Venice empire as it was once upon a time, show us nice places, give us good restaurant recommendations. I strongly recommend you Iole as a guide in Venice!”
Corinne K.

If you would like to leave a review a about me CLICK HERE

If you would like to leave a review a about me  CLICK HERE

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    Copyright © 2023 Iole Calabrese | Membro di GTI – Guide Turistiche Italiane| PI 04060700277  | Privacy & Cookies | Proudly made by Poltroweb

    Copyright © 2023 Iole Calabrese | Membro di GTI – Guide Turistiche Italiane| PI 04060700277  | Privacy & Cookies | Proudly made by Poltroweb