By Donna Richardson
The Orient Express Venezia has unveiled a new private boat, an exceptional Venetian vessel that captures the spirit of Palazzo Donà Giovannelli and extends it beyond its historic walls, opening it up to the magic of the lagoon.
Born from the meeting of Aline Asmar d’Amman’s architectural and creative vision and the artisanal expertise of Venetian master boatbuilder Luigi Giacometti, the boat is the result of an intimate dialogue between design, tradition and craftsmanship. More than a means of transportation, it is a natural extension of the aesthetic universe of Orient Express Venezia: a space in motion where timeless elegance meets the authenticity of Venice’s heritage.
Measuring 9.60 metres in length and 2.35 metres in width, the vessel is crafted entirely from mahogany, in keeping with Venetian boatbuilding traditions. Each wooden component is cut from a single trunk, preserving the continuity of the grain and the chromatic harmony of the surfaces, resulting in a composition of rare aesthetic coherence.
From the initial woodworking to the smoothly sculpted curves and impeccably lacquered finishes, every detail bears witness to a master craftsman’s skill and the value of knowledge passed down through generations. Precision in construction is matched by a meticulous approach to form, in which proportions, materials and function come together to define an understated, authentically Venetian elegance.
The interiors, conceived by Aline Asmar d’Amman, draw on and reinterpret the architectural and decorative language of Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, translating its distinctive references into a more intimate, secluded setting.
The sky-blue upholstered leather evokes the Palazzo’s iconic blue marmorino walls along its Neo-Gothic staircase, creating a refined visual connection between historic architecture and the lagoon landscape. Generously proportioned seating, complemented by bespoke bar cabinets, defines a welcoming yet sophisticated environment, designed to offer guests an experience of authentic Venetian hospitality.
Enhancing the space, an extraordinary artistic stained-glass window delicately reinterprets the Palazzo’s historic coat of arms. Like a poetic porthole, the artwork brings a fragment of Orient Express’s history and imagination aboard, transforming a decorative detail into a distinctive emblem of identity.
Every line, reflection and finish tells the story of a Venice where tradition is not merely a memory, but a living culture, continually renewed through the dialogue between craftsmanship, architecture and design. The private boat of Orient Express Venezia embodies this vision, offering guests a privileged way to connect with the city: following its rhythms, gliding through its canals and discovering the lagoon from an authentic and personal perspective.
Further enhancing the guest experience, the boat will also operate a complimentary shuttle service to St. Mark’s Square twice daily, offering a graceful passage to the heart of Venice and an exceptional way to experience the city’s enduring allure from the water.
“Everything in Venice is amplified. The light, the movement, the watery embrace that doubles the pleasures and the fantasy. To glide on the Laguna in a classic wooden boat is one of those wonders, another brushstroke of beauty. What a joy it is to design a special boat for Orient Express Venezia, alongside master boatbuilder Luigi Giacometti, one of the finest Venetian craftsmen who lives in total symbiosis with the vessel in the making, from its start as a wooden trunk until he sculpts and finishes the perfectly varnished curves, all refined by his hands. The visits to Luigi’s workshop were rich with discoveries, each conversation coming full circle, assembling function and spirit, inviting the Palazzo’s iconic aesthetics and unique stories on board for guests to experience its layered marvels upon their arrival”.
Leave a Reply