Romantic is one word that sums up Venice perfectly. Whether you visit this northern Italian city as a couple, a group or pay a solo visit, the ambiance of the place will tug at your heartstrings. Perhaps it is due to legendary people such as Giovanni Casanova, the famous romantic, that Venice has earned such a heartfelt reputation or maybe it has to do with the number of marriage proposals that are known to take place while on a gondola. Whichever the reason, Venice is a place anyone can easily fall in love with.
If flying from the UK, budget airline Ryanair takes you straight to Treviso Airport which is a 45-minute airport bus drive from Venice. Built entirely on water, cars are a non-existent sight in this city. At Piazzale Roma, the airport bus terminates and transport modes are either on foot or by boat.
This is where the Grand Canal begins. This amazing watercourse snakes through Venice and is flanked by plenty of architectural sites and key places of interest. The most visited of which is Piazza San Marco. The Grand Canal, Venice�s main “highway”, is filled with varied types of boats, from ferries to water taxis, police boats and barges to the famous gondolas. The sleek gondolas that traverse the Grand Canal today are less in number than a few years ago. However, there are still plenty to keep sightseers happy.
Rich architectural heritage
For those on a budget, accommodation can be booked cheaply through EasyHotels. If possible, try and arrange a hotel on the Lido. This is one of the nearby islands and home to Venice�s closest beach. Accommodation is a bit pricier but the island is a tranquil break from the hordes of tourists on the mainland.
To avoid the crowds during peak season, start your tour at Piazza San Marco in the morning and work your way back to the Rialto Bridge. St Mark�s Square or Piazza San Marco is a hive of activity throughout the day and well into the evening. Perhaps the only time it is less congested is when it floods. This magnificent square is proof of Venice�s opulent past. Piazza San Marco is home to two magnificent structures: Basilica San Marco and the Doge�s Palace.
The former is Venice�s popular cathedral while the latter is famous for being the city�s political powerhouse and former state residence. It also houses old prison cells connected to the main building by the �Bridge of Sighs�. Both buildings were constructed in the Byzantine style with rounded arches, detailed frescoes and intricate mosaics dominating the overall structures. The Palace also houses a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. If you have the time, revisit the Basilica again at dusk, as this is when the fa�ade is most photogenic.
The Rialto market, based in the commercial centre of Venice, is home to a seasonal fresh produce market. It�s the perfect place to purchase fresh fruit and there are nearby delicatessens from which to stock up on other picnic supplies. To avoid being ripped off when enjoying an authentic Italian cup of coffee, try and avoid sidewalk cafes adjacent to the Grand Canal, unless of course you�re paying for the view. If not, then head further inland to one of the smaller, lesser-known piazzas. Staff there are also more accommodating.
Thought to be slowly sinking
The Rialto bridge is located in the vicinity of the Rialto market and crosses the Grand Canal. It is one of the most familiar bridges in Venice and also the most visited. Another popular bridge that allows for splendid views of the Grand Canal is the Academia bridge. This wooden structure was initially meant to be a temporary fixture but is now a permanent landmark. It is located adjacent to the Academia Galleries, a gallery housing numerous Venetian artworks.
From the Rialto area, you can walk north to Fondamenta Nuove, a drop-off and collection point for ferries heading to the outlying northern islands. Two popular drop-off points are the islands of Murano and Burano.
Murano is a pleasant way to while away the afternoon exploring Venice�s backwaters. It�s famous for its skilled glassmaking while Burano is known for its brightly coloured houses that are a haven for the many resident artists. In order to watch the glassblowers at work on Murano a visit to a furnace with adjoining showrooms should not be missed. These shows are generally free of charge. The glassworks make exquisite gifts which range from ornaments and utensils to hand-crafted jewellery.
With regards to other typical Venetian artwork, even if you do not purchase any Venetian masks, a visit to the numerous craft stores on the mainland that make and stock them is a must. The masks, which were originally made for carnival time, are numerous in patterns, styles and materials.
The majority of them are made from papier-mach� but each one is still a distinct work of art. If possible try and arrange your visit to coincide with the ten-day carnival, which takes place from February to March prior to Lent. The streets are filled with masked and costumed revellers which lend a festive air to the city.
Located on the Adriatic coast, this lagoon city is thought to be slowly sinking due to a recent rise in sea levels coupled with compacting sediments that lie beneath the buildings. While a great deal of this city has remained unchanged throughout the centuries, who�s to say what future impacts global warming could have on Venice. So there�s no better time to visit than now, especially since this is a city that has an all-year-round appeal.
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