It was nearly one year ago (last summer) that I last visited Venice. The city of history and beauty. Not everybody likes Venice. Sure the architecture and history are alluring; however, the hot air, the strange smell and the crowds for some might be a problem. For me, it wasn’t really a problem. Well, who wouldn’t like to visit one of the most romantic cities in the world? Exactly. If you want to know which places you must visit in Venice, that no other guide on the net offers like us, then you’ve arrived at the right place.
Grand Canal
You might think I am stating the obvious and every other guide you’ve read before states the importance of the Canal. However, nobody gets the message really. Everybody is taking their picture, yet they forget to ride the boat. I understand, when there are too many tourists, even the channel gets too crowded. Also, the high price for just a five minutes ride can go up to 60 euros per person. However, we think differently and will tell you a way to experience venetian canals fully. Nextravel recommends taking the boat ride it at night. You may ask “Why?”. Even though it might be even more expensive than day boat rides, at night there won’t be so many people riding, and plus Venice at night is just magical. Do it, do it and do it! We support you!
Caffè Florian
From all the restaurants and cafes in Venice we’ve chosen Caffè Florian. This A cafe/restaurant with a lot of history. Additionally, at Caffe Florian you can stumble upon celebrities enjoying the caffe or eating their dinner. Maybe you will stumble upon Kim Kardashian, who knows, right? Even if the prices are too high, the experience is worth it. You should note, that this restaurant hasn’t changed since the 18th century. Caffe Florian offers a unique experience for experience Italian history especially for someone who is not from there. Here at Nextravel we say – experience life at the fullest and give yourself a treat! That’s why sitting in Caffè Florian is worth it! You can find Caffe Florian in the middle of San Marco square, truly the real Venice experience.
San Sebastiano
San Sebastiano church is where renaissance artist Paolo Tiepolo shined with his talent. His masterpieces were recently restored and now are opened to the public. Every day you can find thousands of tourists visiting this cathedral. Finding San Sebastiano is easy, just make a detour on San Marco Square, and you are there.
Carnival
Coming from a carnival city, I simply adore carnivals. It was three years ago when I visited the traditional Venetian Carnival. There are nearly 3 million people dress in mask and costumes dancing till the sunset. You might think that this is a carnival like every other. However, you are wrong. This carnival is one of the oldest carnivals on the planet, dating back from the Renaissance times. If you plan your visit in February, Nextravel highly recommends taking part in this carnival and experiencing Venice like a true Venetian.
Castello
The calmest part of Venice is Castello. It is a residential area where you can find many shops that offer decent prices compared to the ones located in San Marco square. If your budget was tight like mine, then visiting Castello is a must. Cheaper drinks, shops and everything you need for your stay in Venice!
Bridges – Ponte Di Rialto
There are more than 300 bridges in Venice. The most famous one is the Ponte di Rialto. It dates back from the 16th century, and it gives one of the most romantic views in the world. Around you can find many small-sized boutiques offering traditional jewellery found nowhere in the world.
Lido Island
Located 30 minutes boat ride from San Marco, lies Lido. This part of Venice is where all the directors shot movies in Venice. Lido is the place where every year the Venice film festival is held. On the island, you can find the Hotel Riviera, which is known as the hiding place of Ernest Hemingway. Plus, back in 1912, Thomas Man wrote the book “Death in Venice”. So much history in a small island.
Torcello Cathedral
One of the oldest basilica church in Venice is the Torcello Cathedral. It dates back from the 7th century built with Venetian-Byzantine architecture. There you can see colorful mosaics, which make this cathedral one of the unique buildings in Venice.
Nextravel Tips:
Clothes: Depending on the time you are visiting. In winter, it is cold as everywhere. As I mentioned before, summer is hot, and the air is heavy. Lighter clothes in bright colors are recommended. Plus, always bring a water bottle with you, from all the heat, you will get dehydrated 100%.
Hotels: Expensive. Well, we are talking about Venice after all. Italy is expensive, and Venice is the most costly part of Italy. However, if you want to sleep in a hotel that is located in Venice, the best time to book is in late autumn.
Food & Drink: Italian food plus more expensive. If it is the first time in Italy, I bet you will try an original Italian pizza, because pizza restaurants are everywhere. Also, if you sit in any cafe, you are automatically paying 25 euros. You’ve ordered nothing, and yet your bill is already ticking. That’s some strange tax in Venice.
Nightlife: The clubs can be found outside San Marco square. You can usually find tourists than Italians in those nightclubs.
