We dodged the crowds during a summer foray to Venice to make undercover visits to both new luxury hotels and an old favorite. We started at Palazzo Venart, an extravagant property on the Grand Canal, before a stay at the romantic Nolinski Venezia and a return visit to Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, a longtime recommendation that has a certain faded aristocratic luster. Sightseeing highlights of the trip included the ornate Doge’s Palace, the breathtaking Gallerie dell’Accademia and the quiet Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta detta I Gesuiti. And of course, no trip to Venice is complete without a ride through the canals on a water taxi.

Read more about our trip to Venice, with hotel reviews and the restaurants we recommend.