In Venice, the flow of tourists never stops — and with the Venice Film Festival in full swing until Saturday, there are even more people in town than usual, if that can be imagined.
Between screenings, parties, and lunches and dinners, there are several activities to squeeze in and one exhibition that shouldn’t be missed that focuses on the work of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
Meanwhile, the Hotel Gabrielli has just reopened after a renovation, and its rooftop offers a stunning panorama of the iconic canals. For those looking to grab a bite, traditional cuisine with a few international influences can be enjoyed at the restaurant Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto by Paulo Airaudo.
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Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto by Paulo Airaudo
The new food destination in Venice “Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto by Paulo Airaudo” is located inside the NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi.
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The restaurant is led by the six-Michelin starred Argentinian chef Paulo Airaudo and seats 18 guests.
His cuisine reinterprets traditional Venetian dishes through international influences, thanks to his experiences in Spain, Hong Kong and Switzerland. Guests are offered two tasting menus: one with seven courses, dubbed “Sensazioni” (feelings), and one with 11 courses, called “Emozioni” (emotions). In the first menu, customers can find spaghetti with mantis shrimp, salted lemon, sea grapes and monkfish paired with bagna càuda and green asparagus. The second adds pigeon with onions and mushrooms, basil granita as a pre-dessert, and duck cappelletti with butter and thyme, among other dishes.
The restaurant draws its name from Lorenzo Patarol, a renowned collector and botanist who, in the 18th century, created the 21,600-square-foot garden that surrounds the restaurant. Patarol was also the creator of L’Erbario Patarol, the oldest botanical collection preserved at the Natural History Museum of Venice.
Hotel Gabrielli
Starhotels just unveiled its renewed five-star Hotel Gabrielli, located on the prestigious Riva degli Schiavoni, just a few steps from St. Mark’s Square. Since 1856 the building has been owned by the Perkhofer family, today in its fifth generation, and the hotel is now managed by Starhotels, as part of its prestigious Collezione brand.
The conservative renovation project of the historic 14th-century palazzo was entrusted to Milanese designer Andrea Auletta and his studio, preserving the heritage of the hotel and combining the property’s original architectural elements with contemporary items.
The hotel has 66 suites and there’s a terrace on the sixth floor that extends for more than 1,620 square feet, offering a mesmerizing view of the city. Guests can also spend time at the 6,480-square-foot garden restored through research into historical plant species, including two majestic centuries-old olive trees.
The common areas such as the Caffè Gabrielli restaurant and K lounge bar are adorned with mirrors, lagoon-green marble and woods. At the center of the dining room, there’s a central island adorned with a Murano glass chandelier and lush greenery serves as a focal point.
On the first floor guests can retreat to the private spa with a bathtub, a multisensory shower, a sauna, a hammam — and a treatment room for two.
“Robert Mapplethorpe. The Classical Forms” Exhibition
Until Jan. 6, on the San Giorgio island, the “Stanze della fotografia di Venezia” center is presenting an exhibition dedicated to Mapplethorpe.
Curated by artistic director Denis Curtis, the exhibition is being promoted by Marsilio Arte e Fondazione Giorgio Cini in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in New York.
The exhibition marks the inaugural chapter of a trilogy, with two additional events scheduled for 2026. The second show, titled “Le forme del desiderio [The forms of desire],” will be held in Milan, while the third and final part, “Le forme della bellezza [The forms of beauty],” will take place at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome. The current exhibition boasts a collection of 257 works created by Mapplethorpe, offering a comprehensive showcase of his work.
The exhibition opens with his first images and collages dating back to the end of the ’60s, ranging from the portraits of the photographer’s longtime friend, life companion and muse Patti Smith to bodybuilder Lisa Lyon and Truman Capote, Richard Gere, Annie Leibovitz and Yoko Ono, among others.
In another section, male nudes celebrate the body with an ode to classic perfection, enhancing strength and symmetry through a refined use of light and composition. At the same time, the female nudes reflect an elegant and minimal aesthetic.
The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation has lent a selection of objects that belonged to the photographer, including two original Patti Smith audiocassettes, original exhibition invitations from galleries and museums, posters, magazines, handwritten letters and other rare items.