Meet Igor Scomparin — Founder of Tour Leader Venice
If you’ve ever dreamed of discovering Venice like a local — wandering quiet canals, unlocking secret corners, or sipping a spritz as the sun sets behind a crumbling palace — chances are, Igor Scomparin is the person who can make that dream come true.
Because Igor doesn’t just guide tours.
He opens doors you didn’t know existed.
He tells stories you won’t find in any guidebook.
He’s the kind of guide you remember years later — the one who made Venice feel like home.
🌍 From Global Tour Leader to Local Legend
Igor’s journey begins in the Veneto countryside, between Treviso and Venice, where family traditions revolved around heritage, hospitality, and good wine. But his career began far from home — leading groups across Europe as a professional tour leader.
For over a decade, he guided travelers through Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Florence, Madrid, and even the Arctic Circle. It was glamorous, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Working with Globus, one of the most respected names in global travel, Igor became known as “the calm in the storm” — the leader who could solve any crisis, from lost passports to surprise proposals.
But no matter how far he roamed, one city kept calling him back: Venice.
🛶 Coming Home to Venice
In 2007, Igor made the leap — he came home for good. This time, not as a visitor, but as a local ready to share the city’s soul.
He immersed himself in history, architecture, and Venetian culture, earning every qualification possible to become a fully licensed professional guide:
- ✔️ Official Tour Guide License for Venice & the Veneto
- ✔️ Accompagnatore Turistico (Tour Leader Certification)
- ✔️ Technical Director License for managing a travel agency
- ✔️ European Tour Leader Certification
By 2009, he founded Tour Leader Venice — a boutique guiding service for travelers who wanted more than a checklist. No groups. No flags. No rushed commentary. Just you, your guide, and the real Venice — experienced at your pace, with heart and authenticity.
📺 Recognized by the World’s Best
It didn’t take long for the world to notice.
- 🗺️ Rick Steves has recommended Igor in his Venice and Italy guides since 2008.
- 📖 National Geographic featured him in their “I Heart My City” series, where he shared his personal Venice.
- 🎥 He has collaborated with international media — including TV crews, journalists, and bloggers from the U.S., U.K., France, and beyond.
- ✨ In 2025, NBC’s TODAY Show spotlighted Igor during the exclusive Bezos–Sánchez wedding coverage in Venice.
But if you ask Igor about it, he’ll shrug with a smile. Most guests only learn about these features after their tour — usually while sharing a drink at a canal-side bacaro, when someone says, “You should have your own show.”
🥂 The TLV Philosophy: No Scripts. No Stress. Just Venice, Your Way.
Ask anyone who’s toured with Igor or one of his guides, and they’ll say the same thing:
“It felt like walking with a friend who just happened to know everything.”
That’s exactly what Tour Leader Venice was built to be — an experience that feels effortless, intimate, and unforgettable.
Here’s what sets TLV apart:
- ✅ 100% Private Tours — no groups, ever.
- ✅ Tailor-made itineraries — designed around your pace and interests.
- ✅ Insider access — to artisan studios, hidden gardens, and local-only bacari.
- ✅ Licensed guides personally trained by Igor.
- ✅ Seamless support — from transfers to tickets and last-minute logistics.
From off-the-beaten-path walking tours to food & wine tastings, rowing lessons, or private boat tours, Igor’s team makes every experience feel personal — like spending the day with an old friend who just happens to be a Venetian historian, foodie, and storyteller.
💬 What Guests Say
“Igor didn’t just guide us. He gave us Venice.”
— Karen & David, California
“Hands down the best tour we took in Italy — and we took a lot.”
— Lisa, Texas
“From the secret mask shop to the perfect spritz stop, everything was magic.”
— Mike, New York
“I almost cried when we said goodbye.”
— Julie, Australia
These aren’t just compliments — they’re a reflection of TLV’s philosophy: to turn travelers into friends, and visits into memories that last a lifetime.
🎯 More Than a Guide — A Storyteller, Host, and Venetian at Heart
Today, Igor lives just outside Venice with his family, but he’s still in the city almost every day — guiding, discovering, and building bridges between travelers and locals.
His mission is simple yet profound: to make your time in Venice feel effortless, meaningful, and completely yours.
And if you ask him why he does it?
“Because Venice is a gift,” he says. “And it deserves to be shared the right way.”
👉 Ready to Explore Venice with Igor and His Team?
Whether you’re here for a day or a week, with family, friends, or someone special, Igor and the Tour Leader Venice team will show you a side of the city most visitors never see — through the eyes of locals who love it deeply.
📩 Contact Tour Leader Venice to Plan Your Private Experience
🌐 Discover All Our Venice Tours & Experiences
