“Been to Venice, didn’t love it.”
I hear that a lot. My follow-up, “Was it in the summer? Just for one day?” This is the conversation my bestie, Next Tribe member Donna, and I recently had. I asked her to join me for several days this November between two NextTribe Italy trips I was leading. Of course, she was game. Donna is always game.
Upon arriving by train, you immediately feel the difference. It is always cinematic walking out of the station to be greeted by the shimmering waters of the city without roads, the striking architecture, and the buzz of activity. This is a jaw-dropping moment, whether it is your first or your hundredth time. The off-season hits different. With fewer people, fewer boats, and less heat, you can really see her.
NextTribe takes small groups of women ages 45+ on fun, immersive trips across the country and around the world. Shannon, an artist and art historian, will be leading a small group to Venice in March 2026. Learn more here.
Venice, the city of canals, attracts travelers throughout the year, but its true charm is felt most strongly during the off-season. Visiting Venice in these quieter months not only means fewer crowds but also provides a more intimate atmosphere, allowing visitors to connect more deeply with the city’s mystical character and rich history.
The narrow, winding streets and small bridges become a delight to explore, inviting leisurely wandering. Additionally, the cooler months often bring a softer, diffused light that beautifully enhances Venice’s ancient, weathered facades.
Made for Wandering and Getting Lost
The two of us had no specific plans upon arrival, just a few restaurant reservations (whenever needed) and an explorer’s spirit. Venice is made for strolling, getting lost, and taking what often looks like the same photo repeatedly. In the off-season, not only is this easier to do, but it also rewards you with unforgettable moments.
We’d take a wrong turn on our way to nowhere or anywhere and discover something new.
Donna is a planner, a map reader, a destination-type girl, so I asked her to trust me. We’d take a wrong turn on our way to nowhere or anywhere and discover something new: a palazzo, a locals-only campo, a café, a sunset–all without crowds. The most common language spoken was Italian. We found a new café every morning for coffee–no lines, no rush. We shopped often, and usually, we were the only customers in the place.
St. Marks and Murano: The Quiet Versions
One day, we decided to head over to St. Marks, an area I try to avoid in the summer. There were people around, of course, but you could move and take photos and enjoy it so much more. Another day, we took a trip to the island of glass, Murano, (Donna had never been).
We wandered, shopped, and talked with glass blowers and shop owners who seemed more relaxed and open. Everyone we met in Venice felt calm and unhurried. There were no large flag-waving tour groups blocking the narrow streets, no blazing heat to hide from, and no packed schedule to squeeze into a day.
There were no large flag-waving tour groups blocking the narrow streets, no blazing heat to hide from.
Donna and I, wandering aimlessly, stumbled into a designer vintage shop (okay, maybe it wasn’t so aimless). The shopkeeper was charming, and we spent nearly an hour chatting and admiring his great collection. The shop itself was small and cozy, and the experience we had with the shopkeeper wouldn’t have been possible during peak season.
We went to my favorite church, the Church of the Frari. Donna, who isn’t really a “church” person, was skeptical. No lines and no crowds meant an intimate experience with the stunning art and architecture. Standing in front of a Titian in its original setting, viewed as it was meant to be, can turn anyone into a “church” person. Much of the beauty and history of this magical place remain as they were: artworks still in palazzos or churches, not museums; architecture on full display everywhere. I kept reminding Donna to “look up!”
Water and Weather
Then, there is the ubiquitous water, both Adriatic and the canals that form the heart and soul of this place. Admittedly, I enjoy watching the boats negotiate traffic in the peak season; it’s fascinating. However, in the off-season, the water breaths, recovers. The gondolas glide easily through what seem like impossible spaces, not competing with motor boats or water buses. Donna and I enjoyed watching the daily journeys of delivery boats, and also the quiet that comes from fewer motors and less “traffic”.
The light was diffused, making the city shimmer in different ways.
No description of off-season travel would be complete without mentioning the weather. It was perfect—mid-50s during the day with some light rain. It featured morning canal fog and early, memorable sunsets. The light was diffused, making the city shimmer in different ways, ideal for photographers and painters.
We wore light jackets daily and carried our umbrellas, but rarely needed them. It was a glorious temperature for two women of a certain age who tend to run hot!
Artist Inspiration
Venice’s unique physical features–a city built on millions of petrified wooden piles, crisscrossed by canals, and lacking roads–offer endless inspiration. The lively interaction of water, aging facades, and detailed architecture creates a constantly changing visual scene.
The occasional mist and fog add a sense of mystery and romance, making a gondola ride or a walk along the waterfront feel like stepping into a painting. Artists from J.M.W. Turner and Claude Monet to John Singer Sargent were drawn to the city’s dreamlike quality, producing countless paintings to capture its fleeting charm and shifting moods.
Admittedly, I love Venice at any time of the year. I just find more to love in the off-season because, in this case especially, less is more.
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