The only regatta in the world raced entirely within a city's inner waters: maxi-yachts skippered in the colours of Venice's grand luxury hotels compete off St Mark's, with artisan gondolier hats as trophies. Receptions at the participating palace hotels after the race.
Line-up : Venetian palace hotels, Mediterranean sailing world, Venetian society
Yacht Club Venezia, with the City of Venice (Venezia Unica) and the participating grand hotels
The race can be watched for free from the quays of St Mark's and the Riva degli Schiavoni. For the society tier, aim for the receptions at the participating palace hotels (each maxi-yacht races in the colours of a grand hotel): booking lunch or a stay at one of them on regatta weekend is the natural route into the post-race celebrations.