The Magic and the truth
We all want a bit of magic, mystery and folklore in our lives and that’s why Venice has such a pull for so many of us. It’s otherworldly and frankly more than a little surreal with the tiny alleyways, multitude of bridges and water everywhere! It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go for a long time, so as a special treat for my recent big birthday, my lovely husband took me. Now, let’s address the worries that everyone has. Firstly, it is crowded and touristy – we didn’t take a gondola ride because it reminded us of a Disney ride and when it rained there was a worry that St Mark’s Square would completely flood, which it did! However, the locals are prepared with walkways that raise you up above the water while they stroll around with long plastic bag boots, reminiscent of the kind you get at swimming pools, but knee high! Despite all this, you quickly see why so many people still flock here – it’s just so fascinating.
What to see & do
It’s worth visiting all the iconic sights – the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Grand Canal, but for me the best way to explore is just to wander and see what you come across. On the way to dinner one evening, we discovered a canal-side where it seemed all the youth of Venice conjugate on a Saturday night. They sat on the stones by the side of the water eating pizza and cracking open bottles of wine and there was a fantastic, lively and friendly atmosphere.
Highlights of Venice
Obviously, food and drink are a focal point for any visit to Italy and Venice was no exception. The tapas-style cicchetti are delicious and an hour or two in a wine bar sampling various red wines whilst watching the world go by, is always time well spent.
Highlights for me were visiting the Doge’s Palace, having a beer in the Campo Santo Stefano (sorry I just don’t like aperol spritz), taking a vaporetti over to Giudecca and walking and walking and walking!!!
A return trip to Venice is definitely in order, ideally as part of a larger itinerary that includes Verona, Milan and the Italian Lakes. A quieter, cooler month would also allow for a better glimpse into the local way of life….and might even avoid some of the crowds!
