We know that many people love to visit destinations they have seen on the big screen to feel the movie magic come to life and take a walk in the shoes of their favorite characters. On this Venice courtesans private tour fans of Dangerous Beauty will be able to soak up the unique atmosphere on the streets where the story was born. You will delve into the history of love in Venice and learn about the hidden lives of Veronica Franco and Casanova.

Set in Renaissance Venice away from the guided books, our Venice courtesans private tour reveals stories behind the scenes from the Dangerous Beauty movie and the Honest Courtesan original book whilst covering storytelling venues. On this introductory walking tour we visit all the main (and some of the hidden) sights, this walk is an interactive history lesson in which the buildings, monuments, canals and personalities of Venice tell a captivating story of a city through time.

Discover the history of Venice as a libertine city. Travelers who visited during the Renaissance never failed to marvel at the number of courtesans living here. During the golden age of Venice, escorts were called honest courtesans and their lives was sparkled with glamour, splendor, and excitement. The city was open-minded enough to allow women as well as men to indulge themselves and took pride in its highly educated courtesans.

Venice Courtesans Tour at Glance

Travel back to the past with  your guide who reveals the important role the courtesans played in upper-class society and their fascinating history. Along your Venice courtesans private tour, you’ll explore the Rialto area, the historical red light district in Carampane and see a palace where tax evaders were once imprisoned in the San Polo neighborhood. You will uncover the life of Veronica Franco the most famous and intellectual Venetian courtesan in the 16th century who counted literates as her friends. Learn about the first Casino in Venice often a meeting place for Casanova and the Venetian aristocracy. Find out why Veronica Franco was the queen of honest courtesans and Giacomo Casanova the king of libertines.

Stroll through the old artisan quarters of the city, better known as the Rialto, an area that surrounds the Grand Canal. Historically and presently Venice’s main trade area, the Rialto is a bustling district, ever popular with visitors, traders and locals alike. After a glimpse of Venice’s hectic side, follow your guide through the labyrinth of enchanting streets and narrow passageways that so many visitors fail to discover.

Explore the lesser known streets and canals of the historic of San Polo district while exploring the most private life in the Venice of the past. Pass timeworn old bars where merchants have relaxed for centuries, and pass through the so-called ‘castelleto’ area in Carampane, a historical red light district, where Venetian courtesans once worked the streets.

Hear about these well-heeled and independent women, as well as their questionable morals, and learn of famous and intellectual courtesans such as Veronica Franco, a poet who counted literates and other eminent Italians as her friends. Cross the naughtily nicknamed Ponte delle Tette (Bridge of the Tits), and hear how its name was given after the courtesans who were encouraged to model topless, touting their ‘wares,’ on the canals.

Pass Palazzo dei Camerlenghi in the San Polo neighborhood and hear how the beautiful Renaissance palace was once a feared prison for tax evaders. From the historical Rialto area to some quirky sites that many visitors don’t get to see, this behind the scenes walking tour shows you Venice at its rich and stimulating best!