We women are not so complicated. Let’s talk honestly – if men bring us flowers, they gaze romantic towards us and possibly extend their hand to put back a strand of hair behind our ear, half the battle is already won. There is also the situation where your boyfriend comes home and so, by chance, slides on the table two flight tickets to Venice. OMG! I do not know if all the folly involving Valentine’s Day was to blame – when we didn’t managed to see each other for dinner – but who cares now! I also didn’t mind that we arrived 1 day after the end of the carnival. It would have been too crowded so it’s better this way. I get to see the city calmly without the craziness specific to the event. The fact is that two days later, with bags packed, here I am – with my heart beating fast – coming out from Treviso airport. Venice is the city of Casanova, of that romantic bridges and unbelievable sunsets. Among the buildings which rise majestically out of the water – continuous source of wonder for tourists who come here for the first time – gondolas and boats go smoothly carrying you into the heart of a colorful universe.
The whole town was declared by UNESCO in 1979 a world heritage site
What to do here we can talk long and hard. First of all, let yourself be seduced. You have no choice and you cannot help it. Walk slowly through the small squares, allowing your eyes to roam over buildings, over the water and on the islands that can be seen at the horizon.
What to do in Venice
1.Take a gondola ride
Estimated time: 40 minutes; estimated budget: € 100 for 2 people
Gondola rides in Venice remain mandatory. I recommend you to choose the evening sunset hours by the hidden, romantic channels.
2.Ascension in San Marco bell tower
Estimated duration: 20 to 30 minutes; estimated budget: € 12 / person
If you have no fear of heights, just take a look! The elevator climbs the tallest building in the city – Campanile di San Marco, and you can see Venice for 30 minutes from an altitude of 99 meters. Be careful though! Do not catch the begging of the hours in the tower because the sound of bells could irreparably stress your ears
3. Walk the Venetian streets
Estimated duration: 4-5 hours; estimated budget: € 0 –
Accustomed to walking? You can go on a long walk on the Venetian streets to discover a chic maze composed by alleys that cross the city.
4.Cruise on the Canal Grande by Vaporetto
Estimated duration: 45 minutes; estimated budget: € 10
A slow cruise on the Grand Canal in a boat is probably the most beautiful experience that Venice has to offer. You have 45 minutes on the water to go about four kilometers in an “S” shape from Piazza San Marco and end up to Piazzale Roma. This way you get to see all that amazing views of the city, with the dream like palaces, the most beautiful bridges and most impressive churches.
Venice today is divided into six districts, the so-called “sestieri”: Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Cannaregio and Castello, comprising a total of 118 islands and 354 bridges. For most tourists St. Mark’s Square is “the hot spot” of the city, considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Here you will find the Basilica of San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and the bell tower. So sit in one of the many terraces to have a coffee and enjoy the view. It will cost you dearly as the prices of the cafes and restaurants are steep but tourists do not seem to be bothered by the bill. Near Rialto Bridge I found countless shops to spend my time before heading to the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute and Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.
A tour through the surroundings
Just when I said that nothing exceeds the beauty of Venice I found some islands that do so: Murano, Burano, Torcello, Lido di Venezia and Pellestrina. The Murano – perhaps the most famous island in the Lagoon – has a long tradition of making artisanal glass and you can get here by public transport company ACTV boats. You can use Line 41, Line 42 or Line 13, departing from Fondamente Nove station; Line 5 if you leave from San Zaccaria (Jolanda), line 18, departing from Lido (South Lido station) or DM line starting from Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma. At Burano on the other hand I was amazed by the colorful houses and its famous embroidery while at Lido di Venezia, well, here I found a beach (remember that if you go in summer!).
The rest of the time I wandered the streets, the shops full of masks and crafts until I had blisters on my feet. Never the less, nothing can compare to a dinner in two in this fantastic city. Or with a kiss under the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) especially since, according to the local legend, all who will kiss in a gondola at sunset under the bridge, will experience eternal love. You cannot get more romantic than this!
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