Venice, Italy - See Venice and Fall in Love

- October 02, 2017

“Venice would be a fine city if it were drained” - The Education of Henry Adams. But of course, we all disagree. Venice is a charming city filled with water and soul. The facades of the houses facing the canals tell us stories about things that once were and the small boats and gondolas moving up and down the canal makes us all immediately fall in love with the quaint and cozy city. When I first arrived in San Marco Square a street orchestra was playing Andrea Bocelli Con Te Partiro, and from that moment my heart belonged to Venice.

Venice, these boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they will do.

Venice is the only pedestrian city in Europe. You can walk everywhere. You might have to spend time searching for the right bridge, but everywhere is accessible with the right choice of shoes. When you first enter the city you might hate this, because you have to carry your luggage to your destination from the bus or taxi stop or wherever you are dropped. Did you think you could bring a suitcase with wheels? Think again. These are prohibited in the streets of Venice. You can pay some of the organized transport guys to carry your luggage, or you can do it yourself. Once your luggage is dropped at the hotel the absence of cars makes Venice great. It is quiet, the air is cleaner, and the experience is entirely new.
At first sight, Venice may not seem huge, but it is and is made up of different boroughs.

The Rialtine Islands, which is the main part of Venice and where you want to go, are walkable in a couple of hours. Venice is like a maze though, small streets, narrow allies and just when you think you know where you are your journey is abruptly stopped by a canal and you have to turn back. But that is just part of the charm that will make you like it even more.

Sights:

Venice is crammed with things you have to see, and while walking around the city you will spot most, planned or by stumbling on them. San Marco Square is, of course, the first stop. And if you have read Dan Brown’s Inferno you will want to go here to spot the monuments mentioned in it (no spoilers). Whether you want a tour of Palazzo Ducale and Casanova's jail or just sit and drink an overpriced coffee while listening to street musicians playing Con Te Partiro, and wait for the Bell towers to ring, it is worth a stop. It is amazing for entertainment as well. It has become somewhat of a tourist attraction to feed the birds, and people pose for photos with these pigeons in the weirdest ways - if not into architecture this is always an amusing activity.

Next stop is the Rialto market and the Rialto Bridge. The Bridge is easily recognizable from a million movies, you’ll know when you find it, it will be packed. Even so, you will remember den from various love scenes up through the movies set in Venice and you will forget the people and enjoy the bridge. Shopping is slightly less expensive than in Piazza San Marco. The Rialto market is for shoppers. On the eastern side you’ll find an area with small shops and restaurants and on the western border you will find the Rialto farmers' market.

Then you need to experience the thousands of amazing churches and basilisks on every corner of the city. Basilica di San Marco, San Giacomo di Rialto, San Giovanni e Paolo, just to name a few. Remember to dress appropriately to be allowed inside. Cover knees and shoulders. Many of these churches around the city offer classical concerts at night, where a symphony orchestra performs, for example, Vivaldi's four seasons inside the church. There are many different options so you can choose a concert from your favorite composer. We went for the Vivaldi. It was a beautiful experience and highly recommended.

I need a break

Because you are walking everywhere in Venice, it is important to stay hydrated and take breaks. The regional drink of choice in Venice is Aperol spritz and can be bought for 2-4 euros for a glass all over the city (outside the major tourist attractions). Personally, I think it is an amazing sunset drink, as well as a post-lunch drink. And Orange goes with everything.

Around Venice

Because Venice is built on a lagoon, its waters play a crucial role in transportation. The easiest way to get between the islands is by boat or water taxi. While visiting, do yourself the favor of stopping by some of the lagoon’s other islands. Grab a taxi boat or do a tour, but stop at Murano, Torcello, San Francesco del Deserto, and Burano. These small islands are amazing, all with a unique charm. Burano has the most colorful houses and there is no end to the different colors the owners have chosen to paint them. Murano is famous for producing glass and they have a lot of sweet small coffee places to enjoy a cup of coffee if you go in the morning. All the islands have a special brand that makes them worth a visit and they just complete the Venetian experience.