Discovering the Secrets of the 'Other' Venice

January 22nd, 2025

Discovering the Secrets of the ‘Other’ Venice

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Jane Hunt, managing director of travel PR and tourism PR award-winning PR agency, Catapult PR, talks to Ketty Zanutto, one of the business partners behind the inspiring Venice tour company L’altra Venezia, operating in Venice, Italy and run by passionate tourism professionals who want to allow visitors to Venice to benefit from their personal insight, as people who have been born and raised in the city.

Ketty explains the ethos of L’altra Venezia and what the company defines as the ‘authentic Venice’ when putting its tours together, to allow visitors to discover that authenticity with the help of all of the passionate tour guides.

Ketty is passionate about Venice and starts the episode by talking about Venice’s place in history and its monumental achievements as a city, whether that is in terms of women’s emancipation or its role within global exploration.

She also gives a sneak preview into what lies in store for those who head to Venice and want to see beyond the classic tourism hotspots, whilst also having interpretation and narrative that allows the top hotspots to be seen through different perspectives. This can take visitors beyond the acclaimed highlights, such as the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Cathedral, or offer a completely different way of looking at these amazing places.

Ketty provides a flavour of some of the tours available, of which L’altra Venezia has created a top 8 that can really tantalise and catch the eye of the visitor. All can take the visitor off the beaten track, down more secret alleyways and into locations in which most tourists never venture.

Authentic tours to enjoy in Venice

Some of the tours have a compelling theme, whether that is Venetian gastronomy, the extraordinary achievements of Marco Polo, or the skills of artisans within the city of Venice, be they creating glassware or making masks for the Lent-time extravaganza of Carnevale.

Ketty also highlights other ways in which her business can work with visitors. The talk moves to tours that are specific to particular types of visitor, from those who are wheelchair users, to the younger generation, who might just find a trip around Venice a little boring, without L’altra Venezia’s help. Being able to view the city through the eyes of adults who were once children growing up here really does bring kids a far more interesting take on Venice than they might otherwise have.

Falling in love with boats is a must in Venice, as she explains, and many tours are from the water, rather than from land. Ketty is also keen to highlight how those who are in a wheelchair can take advantage of a special facility.

The episode brings to light some lesser-known facts about Venice, its citizens, its place within history and movements such as the Renaissance. It exposes the ability to enjoy some really privileged and private moments, whether that is backstage tour of La Fenice or an aperitif sipped on a rooftop.

It also provides details of what Ketty personally regards as the top hidden gems in the city and how her opinion on this matter differs slightly from that of her colleagues. Learn about the more unusual lifestyle and daily work of one of her friends!

More about this travel PR podcast

This Poodling Around episode also brings to the fore some of the things we really should all discover about a city with such a rich history and is an ideal listen for anyone planning a trip to see the famed canals, or anyone who just loves to know more about places around the world.

With other quirky elements, such as details of what Venetian nobles would use to woo their ladies, the episode is a must for anyone simply wanting to escape a dreary winter’s day, by focusing on a city that is vibrant and full of life, and others who are actually planning a trip to Venice.

It is one of the gems within the travel PR podcasts that Poodling Around has been privileged enough to record.