To reserve your spot(s), please email retreats@italysegreta.com.

The fourth edition of the Lagoon Workshop is back, inspired by the release of my book Cinnamon and Salt: Cicchetti in Venice: Small Bites from the Lagoon City. This time, we’re offering two spring dates sessions to make sure all those who want to join are able! 

 

April 13 – 18, 2025

 

May 12 – 17, 2025

 

The workshop is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Venetian lagoon and its unique produce. You’ll get the chance to explore a part of Venice that is often overlooked by visitors, but is the “internal organ” of the city according to activist Jane da Mosto.

 

We’ll spend five nights and six days together in a property of the sustainable resort Casa Burano on the ancient, colorful island of Burano. The colorful homes come from the island’s history as a fishing village, when fishermen would paint their houses in bright shades so they could be seen from afar. The island is also famous for lace and delicious, buttery buranelli, or S-cookies. 

 

Over the course of the week, we will participate in activities and explore gems of the area. We’ll spend a day on a boat with one of the last crab fisherman of the area, visiting orchards and gardens of the islands, and learn about the history and traditions of the islands with local historians. Of course, we’ll dine on incredible regional dishes in exceptional restaurants such as Gatto Nero, Venissa, and more. 

 

ITINERARY

Day 1: We’ll meet at the Venezia Santa Lucia train station in the afternoon, and a taxi boat will take us to the island of Burano. After check in, we’ll kick off the workshop with a visit to the walled garden of Venissa, where they grow vegetables for the restaurant and grapes for their wine. We’ll learn about how they revived a rare and ancient Venetian grape and participate in a wine tasting (read more about this incredible project here at Wine Spectator). We’ll then have dinner at their sustainable, Michelin-starred restaurant.

 

Day 2: On day two, we’ll meet up with a well-known historian–and a dear friend of mine–who will share a bit about the lagoon’s history, food, art, and culture. We’ll either head into Venice to discover the backstreets of the Rialto or hop over to the little-known island Lazzaretto Nuovo to discover the fascinating history behind the ecomuseum. We’ll spend the afternoon snacking on cicchetti paired with a selection of natural wines during a Venetian wine lesson curated by my husband and sommelier Marco, who will be with us for the first two days of the workshop.

 

Day 3: After breakfast, we’re off to visit magical Torcello accompanied by our historian guide. We’ll tour the ancient basilica, a wonderful house-museum once owned by a pair of artists, and dine on the island at one of the spectacular restaurants. 

 

Day 4: We’ll have a slow start with free time to explore Burano and pick up goodies around town, popping in to see some artisans that still carry on the island’s oldest traditions. We’ll have lunch on Burano and then visit the island of Sant’Erasmo. Since the Middle Ages, this strip of land has been growing fruits and vegetables to supply the city, earning its nickname as the Orchard of Venice. Even then, the slow pace of the island contrasted with the traffic and chaos of commercial Venice, making Sant’Erasmo a peaceful floating slice of “countryside”. We’ll explore the island by bike, visiting vegetable patches and tasting some of the island’s best produce. 

 

Day 5: We’ll take a converted fishing boat with fisherman Manuel Bagnolo, whose family is the last of the moecanti (crab fishermen), to the southern side of the lagoon. We’ll anchor the boat in the middle of the lagoon to enjoy aperitivo and a three-course meal of seafood caught by Manuel and his family. Later, we’ll wizz around salt marshes and abandoned islands in the lagoon while Manuel tells us his stories.

 

Day 6: Almost time to say goodbye! After our final breakfast together, we’ll have a taxi boat swiftly bring us back to the Venice train station for departures. 

 

• Above is a sample itinerary. Restaurants and activities are subject to change with equally exciting options pending availability.

 

PRICING

• €4,850 + VAT pp in Superior Room with single person occupancy
• €5,150 + VAT pp in Junior Suite with single person occupancy
• €4,340 + VAT pp in Superior room with double occupancy
• €4,475 + VAT pp in Junior Suite with double occupancy

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED 

• Accommodation at Casa Burano in either the Superior room or Junior Suite for 5 nights 
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners 
• 2 Wine tastings: one with Venissa and one with natural wines done by Marco with paired cicchetti
• Transportation by water taxi for arrival and departure from Venezia Santa Lucia train station, and all transfers to group activities
• Activities: the visit to the organic farm in Sant’Erasmo, bike rentals, guided walks with historians, entrances to museums, plus insider tips on what to eat and where to visit in Burano
• A signed copy of Emiko’s book Cinnamon and Salt

 

DETAILS

• Minimum 9 participants, maximum 11.
• 50% deposit required on booking. Non-refundable. Non-transferable. 
• 50% due 90 days prior. 
• Cancellation 90 – 30 days: 30% penalty for administrative fees. 70% can be used as a credit with Italy Segreta Experiences or Planning Fees for one calendar year. 
• Cancellation within 30 days: Non refundable. No credit.

 

TESTIMONIALS

• “I can’t stop talking about how lovely everything was. I want to do it again! I loved Burano, Venissa, the boat trip, the Rialto tour, the food–all of it! You’ve created a very special curated experience for people. I hope you continue to share your joy about the lagoon with others. It’s truly special!” –Marcy 
• “I’d like to say a huge thank you for the amazing and delicious lagoon workshop you planned.. You quickly put us at ease and made us feel like we had known you for a long time. You are a delightful person with a wealth of information on local food.. I’m wishing you great success on your new project Enoteca Marilu and hope to be able to attend them too some time in the future.” –Maya
• “This is an amazing and special adventure curated with loving kindness and attention to the natural resources of the Lagoon and its inhabitants. I also am missing the yummy delights the Lagoon served us. I can’t recommend this trip enough. Thank you, Emiko, for leading us on the adventure of a lifetime… and this is coming from someone who has been to Italy a few times. My mother wanted me to thank you again. We both shared some spectacular memories with each other and you all.” –Andres