Venice
Less is More. Quality is always important for me, yet putting this into practice during the Biennale felt radical. Instead of cramming ten exhibitions into a day (my old habit), I allowed myself to spend three unhurried hours with Julie Mehretu’s work at Palazzo Grassi. Later, I lingered over lunch at Bistrot de Venise without watching the clock or strategizing my next stop. The afternoon dissolved into a sunset stroll along the embankment without any thoughts.
Our experience of a place depends entirely on how we look at things. I’d deliberately picked November—Venice’s “off-season”—and discovered its quiet magic. Though braced for acqua alta, we were gifted four days of golden light and unexpected warmth. The crowds had thinned, or perhaps our paths simply stopped crossing. Venice, when met with slowness, revealed a different rhythm.
Venice seems like the last place you'd pick for a quiet, mindful getaway. Usually all goes vice versa. There is one formula that is called “see everything possible and not die”
Every time I went there, I set myself a maximum goal. Whether it was for the opening of the Venice Biennale—where I had to not only see the main program but also catch the major temporary exhibitions, and ideally network with colleagues. Or the challenge of covering the entire classical art program in just a few days—which is, obviously, a next-level task. And beyond art, there were also "just" the sights: I wanted to visit the glassblowing workshops on Murano, pay my respects at the graves of Brodsky and Stravinsky... Though, many might argue, the sheer number of tourists in the city doesn’t exactly lend itself to mental relaxation.
Our experience of a place depends entirely on how we look at things. I’d deliberately picked November—Venice’s “off-season”—and discovered its quiet magic. Though braced for acqua alta, we were gifted four days of golden light and unexpected warmth. The crowds had thinned, or perhaps our paths simply stopped crossing. Venice, when met with slowness, revealed a different rhythm.
Venice seems like the last place you'd pick for a quiet, mindful getaway. Usually all goes vice versa. There is one formula that is called “see everything possible and not die”
Every time I went there, I set myself a maximum goal. Whether it was for the opening of the Venice Biennale—where I had to not only see the main program but also catch the major temporary exhibitions, and ideally network with colleagues. Or the challenge of covering the entire classical art program in just a few days—which is, obviously, a next-level task. And beyond art, there were also "just" the sights: I wanted to visit the glassblowing workshops on Murano, pay my respects at the graves of Brodsky and Stravinsky... Though, many might argue, the sheer number of tourists in the city doesn’t exactly lend itself to mental relaxation.
Londra Palace Hotel, despite its location in the heart of Venice’s tourist buzz, just a two-minute walk from San Marco, this Relais & Châteaux member (since 2012) offers a serene escape. In December 1877, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky stayed here while working on his Fourth Symphony, and today, Junior Suite 106 pays tribute to the composer.
What’s more, the hotel’s owners—the Babini family, who also run properties in Florence and Umbria founded The Place of Wonders in 2022, a foundation supporting local artisans and traditional Italian craftsmanship. At Londra Palace, you’ll find exclusive collaborations with Venetian artists, with proceeds funding scholarships for students studying Venice’s vanishing artisanal techniques.
What’s more, the hotel’s owners—the Babini family, who also run properties in Florence and Umbria founded The Place of Wonders in 2022, a foundation supporting local artisans and traditional Italian craftsmanship. At Londra Palace, you’ll find exclusive collaborations with Venetian artists, with proceeds funding scholarships for students studying Venice’s vanishing artisanal techniques.
This year, Venice's international art crowd is making way for architects, designers, and a broader audience passionate about contemporary architecture and urbanism. From May 10 to November 23, 2025, the city will host the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, curated by Carlo Ratti—architect, engineer, and MIT researcher.
Yet art lovers won’t be disappointed either. Beyond Venetian painting classics, the city always has something to offer. In fact, the absence of a major contemporary art program this year might be the perfect excuse to rediscover timeless masterpieces.
Yet art lovers won’t be disappointed either. Beyond Venetian painting classics, the city always has something to offer. In fact, the absence of a major contemporary art program this year might be the perfect excuse to rediscover timeless masterpieces.
Scientific research confirms that silence reduces stress, improves sleep, and strengthens the immune system. Many participants report feeling renewed, energized, and inspired after silent retreats.
This marks the most comprehensive exhibition to date of the Franco-Italian artist's work, conceived specifically for Palazzo Grassi. The show presents Trouvé's new creations in dialogue with her pieces from past decades—drawn from the Pinault Collection, international museums, private collections, and the artist's own archives.
This marks the most comprehensive exhibition to date of the Franco-Italian artist's work, conceived specifically for Palazzo Grassi. The show presents Trouvé's new creations in dialogue with her pieces from past decades—drawn from the Pinault Collection, international museums, private collections, and the artist's own archives.
This exhibition traces the evolution of the German artist's practice from the 1970s to present day. At its core are 50 sculptures from the Pinault Collection, accompanied by over 100 works on paper – many exhibited publicly for the first time.
Curated by Flavia Frigeri (National Portrait Gallery, London), this exhibition presents 70+ works by the Portuguese-born French artist, with particular focus on:
- Paris's transformative influence on her practice
- The dialectic between abstraction and figuration
- Explorations of real and imagined architectures
If you prioritize a healthy lifestyle in your daily life, don’t go all out while travelling by booking Michelin-starred dinners with seven-course tastings and wine pairings every night.That doesn’t mean you should outright deny yourself Venetian delicacies or new restaurants—just let moderation be your guide.
When planning, trust your own instincts over social media snapshots. No one knows what makes your perfect getaway better than you do—not bloggers, not influencers. Live your life, chart your own travel map, and create a personal list of favorite spots. Embrace your unique experiences—these are the moments you’ll remember forever.
When planning, trust your own instincts over social media snapshots. No one knows what makes your perfect getaway better than you do—not bloggers, not influencers. Live your life, chart your own travel map, and create a personal list of favorite spots. Embrace your unique experiences—these are the moments you’ll remember forever.
How to Overcome FOMO While Traveling: Principles for Conscious Exploration
Where to Stay?
What to See?
Pinault Foundation, Palazzo Grassi Tatiana Trouvé: "The Strange Life of Things"
Pinault Foundation, Punta della Dogana Thomas Schütte: Genealogies
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Anatomy of Space
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Anatomy of Space
In "SLOW" mode, we rewrite the rules of art tourism on our own terms.
With the global rise of mindful living and conscious self-care,
the principles of mindfulness and slow living are expanding into new realms. While travel for many still revolves around the "see-it-all" mentality, trips focused on digital detox and mental reset—whether in remote villages or forest retreats—are no longer surprising.
This isn’t just about Vipassana meditation or luxury detox clinics. For some, escape begins at a countryside or a secluded village far from civilization—where the rhythm of life aligns with deeper intentions.
But what if we took it even further applying these principles to the most tourist-heavy destinations?
The "walk your talk" mindset led me to Venice late last year. Beyond the Biennale buzz, my real mission was slow contemplation: of the city, of myself within it. For the first time in years of art-focused travel, I traded checklists for presence—letting canals and alleyways dictate.
the principles of mindfulness and slow living are expanding into new realms. While travel for many still revolves around the "see-it-all" mentality, trips focused on digital detox and mental reset—whether in remote villages or forest retreats—are no longer surprising.
This isn’t just about Vipassana meditation or luxury detox clinics. For some, escape begins at a countryside or a secluded village far from civilization—where the rhythm of life aligns with deeper intentions.
But what if we took it even further applying these principles to the most tourist-heavy destinations?
The "walk your talk" mindset led me to Venice late last year. Beyond the Biennale buzz, my real mission was slow contemplation: of the city, of myself within it. For the first time in years of art-focused travel, I traded checklists for presence—letting canals and alleyways dictate.
TRAVEL IS NO REASON TO ABANDON YOUR PRINCIPLES.
арт-менеджер и арт-консультант, основатель проекта LIVA Art Lisbon
Александра Жукова
When: April 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Dates: 6 April 2025 – 4 January 2026
On view: 12 April – 15 September 2025