Venice, Italy, encloses a familiar sea scent and a blue sunny sky that remind you of the beach. The waterline is filled with a dark blue water that comes from the nearby small islands. Around, a parade of old constructions with a vintage look stand in front of each other. Here and there you can see rock and wood bridges connecting buildings and walkways. A city above the water, under a colorful aura at dawn, gondolas everywhere, built for those who love artsy places and want to feel inside a blissful film.
Things To Do
Venice is often related to “romance”, and what is more romantic than a walk around Piaza San Marco? The city is all about renaissance Venetian architecture, considered one of the most beautiful and important architectures of Italy. Above all, taking a trip around its famous waters on a Gondola, alone or with company, it’s a must. The view of the narrow canals next to the small pastel color buildings will surely make you feel happy and warm.
Piazza di San Marco
Piazza di San Marco is the main attraction in Venice and you can find it at the heart of the city. Despite its location, it was built in the 16th century, when many buildings were already in Venice. Waiting at one end of Piazza di San Marco, there is the Basilica di San Marco, built around 1000 years ago.
Basilica di San Marco
The Basilica is ofted described as more Islamic-looking, and its strangely-shaped roof will surely catch your whole attention. When the sun starts hiding below the horizon to welcome the night, everything seems to come alive. The peach tone of the sunlight shines on the facade of the Basilica, and it reflects the light in goldens and yellows.
The Campanile di San Marco is one of the most reknowned symbols of Venice. Going to the top of this bell tower offers you the most amazing views over the Piazza di San Marco, the city, and beyond to the waters.
Palazzo Ducale
Going from San Marco right down to the waterside, the incredible Palazzo Ducale, or Doge’s Palace, will be waiting for you. It is decorated with statues and carvings that remind you of biblical scenes and characters, like the fall of Adam and Eve. However, the white palace has a better charm from afar. For this reason, it’s better to admire it from a distance, like the visitors who used to arrive from the river. In a boat navigating the lagoon, or from the top of the campanile on San Giorgio, the Venetian gothic-style palace is a perfect combination of both class and fantasy.
The impression that the outside gives to the visitors is totally different from what you can expect on the inside. Every area is filled with art and gilding. You can see works from renaissance Italian painter Titian, and Venetian school painter Tintoretto. As soon as you step inside the palace, you will be fascinated by the paintings. They completely cover roof and walls; biblical stories trapped around gold frames.
The Grand Canal
Piazza San Marco is also connected to the Grand Canal. The canal traces a slothful “S” shape, defining Venecia as much as the piazza does. The limit of the canal meets with the lagoon where it opens up to the piazza. This water line is embellished with the famous gondolas.
Every Venetian road always lead to Piazza San Marco. Every street and alley have a sign pointing in the direction. And so, every canal is connected to the Grand Canal. The gondolas operate through these lines, these flat-bottomed boats being a highlight of the city.
How to get there
From the international Marco Polo airport, you can take a vaporetto (water bus) or water taxi that will drop you off at the Molo. Accommodation can be hard to find and expensive during the peak of summer months. The industrialized town of Mestre has cheaper options and you just have to get a short train ride to arrive.
The Regina and Europa Hotel is a luxury establishment in a converted palazzo, overlooking the mouth of the Grand Canal. You can find a network of vaporetti on the main canals. These are one of the best ways to get around. Otherwise, just walk and enjoy the experience of getting lost in Venice.
When to go
The perfect time to visit Venice is during winter. There are fewer visitors during this period, and hotel prices are lower than in hot seasons like summer. If you’re fortunate enough, you can witness water flood Piazza San Marco, making all tourists forcibly walk through raised walkways to prevent from getting wet.
An ideal winter day in Venice involves a hot chocolate cup or a typically Venetian spritz cocktail at Caffé Florian. This famous and delicious beverage is made with white wine, lemon peel, a bitter aperitif, and seltzer. Founded back in 1720, placed in Piazza San Marco, the Caffé Florian offers an elegant and comfortable hospitality. Elegant walls and numerous mirrors are on every corner, all cracked thanks to the humid sea air.
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