TORCELLO
Day-trippers relish this Venetian Lagoon island, home to a 7th-century cathedral and stunning Byzantine mosaics. The spot has a rich history, as the first local waterlogged territory to be settled after the fall of the Roman Empire. "It’s magic," says Cohan. "You’re not too far away, but it’s another world."

Shop:

RIALTO MARKET
Lybke frequents this cornucopia of fruits, vegetables and fish adjacent to the historic Rialto Bridge. "The top restaurants in Venice are well known," he says, "but I recommend going to the market and doing one’s own cooking." Picnic lunches are major time-savers for the on-the-go Biennale crowd.

L’ISOLA
Carlo and Giovanni Moretti have updated the Murano tradition in their sophisticated glass. Outfitted in custom-made iron and wood furnishings, their showroom features a wide array of smartly arranged glassware sure to please the eye. Don’t miss the etched lowball tumblers.
San Marco 1468
39-041/523-1973
www.lisola.com

GILBERTO PENZO
Peering into the workshop of this model-ship builder is a favorite Venice diversion of Yale’s Storr. "I would go and stare through the window all the time," says Storr. "He does great work." Penzo is revered throughout Venice for his replicas of gondolas, vaporetti and even warships. Bring one of Penzo’s boats home or try your hand as a craftsman with one of his model kits.
Calle Seconda dei Saoneri 2681
39-041/719-372
veniceboats.com

"When in Venice for the… Biennale" originally appeared in the May 2009 issue of Art+Auction. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Art+Auction's May 2009 Table of Contents.