In a moment of quietness at Aman Venice it did not take me long to imagine the days when this was one of the grandest private palazzos. Pausing to absorb the Rococo interiors, period frescos and reliefs and it would not be a surprise to see a liveried attendant passing by or to hear the echoes of trading endeavor and life from the city perched over the sea.

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The private home atmosphere of Aman Venice seems just right for today’s kinder, gentler city. History speaks through the Grand Canal facing exterior and the decorative authenticity of the hotel’s public spaces and private suites.

A canal-side garden provides a haven to unwind and to reflect on the light and wonder of a place whose unique character remains timeless.

There is so much to catch the eye and there isa real feeling of being in a place where every detail works and where the past is both alive and enthralling.

While Venice is, of course, defined by water, so much of the joy of Italy is on the open road. Aman Venice has taken the innovative step of making the city the starting point for one of their individually-crafted Driving Journeys. The aim is to create memorable escapism and a sense of freedom by exploring this special part of Italy.

 

Using Venice as a base, each self-drive journey involves three to five days of independent travel for those with a love of motoring. The hotel has carefully curated a collection of cars to choose from ranging from classic vehicles to the sexiest of sportscars. You also have the discretion to use your own car should you prefer.

It is not far from Venice to some of the world’s greatest and most immersive driving experiences. Landscapes unfold around every corner, there is an immediacy to the views and there are places to ponder and spaces for the car to perform.

The hotel’s knowledge of the area helps to shape an itinerary which works for each and everybody. There is so much to see with areas of interest including the Padua Hills, the foothills of the Dolomites, the beauty of Lake Garda and the unfolding Valpolicella vineyards. For afficionados of motoring history and heritage, Fiorano is home to the Ferrari private racing track and renowned restaurant. It is also possible to make a visit to the Ferrari Museum to discover more about these iconic cars and to learn about their place in Italian motoring history.

Should you want to travel deeper into the Dolomites you can extend their itinerary by using Aman Venice’s partner hotel Rosa Alpina as a base for further exploration and discovery.

To make each Driving Journey run smoothly, Aman Venice provides every vehicle with a personal iPhone which contains a series of suggested stops whether for coffee, a gallery, an unexpected viewpoint or somewhere to enjoy the best of Italian cuisine. For simple navigation, GPS makes route-finding easy but there is also a support vehicle available in case of need.

The reaction to these Driving Journeys is overwhelmingly positive. The blend of time in the city at the historic Aman Venice and the sights of the surrounding region and beyond combine to create a vacation to reflect on long after the traveler returns home…

“Aman has always been revered as a provider of transformative and unique experiences in some of the earth’s most inspiring destinations, introducing and connecting guests to the spirit of a place. With the launch of Aman Driving Journeys, we are now able to further showcase the diverse landscapes that surround our properties, enabling guests to explore these exceptional locations at their own leisure. Bringing the brand’s legendary service to the roads, our bespoke journeys will offer access to some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world.” says Aman’s COO Roland Fasel