A course in Venice

John Hall Venice

A winter course in Venice taught by academics and cultural experts, with no exams and no previous knowledge needed. Join Leslie Primo for a week of lectures in Venice on Venetian artists from Bellini to Titian.

London to Venice, with optional extensions in Florence and Rome London: Opening week. Venice: About six weeks. Florence: Optional extension. Rome: Optional extension. English Channel The Alps Adriatic London Opening week Venice About six weeks Florence Optional extension Rome Optional extension
Leslie Primo smiling beside the Grand Canal, next to the carved sign of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
A water bus on the Grand Canal in Venice, with the dome of Santa Maria della Salute in the distance.

The Grand Canal and the Salute

The front of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, with its domes and gilded mosaics, seen across a busy Piazza San Marco between tall red flagpoles.

The Basilica of San Marco

About the trip

John Hall Venice offers a diverse and in-depth programme taught by leading academics and cultural experts, without exams, grades or coursework. No previous knowledge of our subjects is needed. Students learn for learning's sake, free to follow curiosity, debate ideas, and build intellectual confidence within a fun and vibrant social environment.

The programme brings together leading academics, artists and thinkers from around the world to deliver lectures across an extraordinary range of subjects, from art history and architecture to philosophy, cinema and climate science. Often described as a series of inspiring, live "TED talks", each session is designed to spark curiosity rather than test knowledge.

Alongside lectures, students can take part in optional classes that bring creativity into everyday life, such as cooking, photography, life drawing and Italian language. The itinerary also features private and out-of-hours visits to some of the world's most extraordinary cultural sites. These moments transform learning into something personal and unforgettable.

Dates and fees

  • 2027: a week in London from Monday 18 to Friday 22 January, then Venice from Sunday 24 January to Friday 5 March. The fee is £14,995.
  • 2028: a week in London from Monday 24 to Friday 28 January, then Venice from Sunday 30 January to Friday 10 March. The fee is £15,745.
  • The fee covers lectures and visits, shared rooms in a central Venice hotel with breakfast and dinner, a water bus pass, entrance fees, and excursions to Padua, Ravenna and the Palladian villas of the Veneto.
  • Flights are not included, and nor are accommodation and meals during the London week.
  • Optional extensions in Florence and Rome follow the Venice term.

Fees are as published by John Hall Venice in November 2026. John Hall Venice takes enquiries and applications directly.

Future dates