Location: Venice, Italy
Great for: Singles, Couples, Groups, Families, and Honeymoons
Venice, Italy—a city teeming with an array of attractions and must-see sites, all squeezed into a quick four-day adventure. Picture yourself, gelato in hand as I did, casually meandering along the winding canals, soaking in the sprawling views from the Rialto Bridge or St Marks Square, exploring the rich history seeping from the walls of the Doge's Palace. See yourself on a magical ride across the serene Venetian lagoon and through the romantic canals in a gondola to wrap up your trip. Sigh....yes this is Venice.
If you know me or have read my articles, you know I don't always speak in such a "flowery" tone. But that is how Venice makes me feel and I think you will feel the same. I knew I would like Italy, after all my father is from there, although much farther south, I send clients here who adore it, and I've studied the country. But I had no idea just how much it would take hold. So let me share my impressions with you of my unforgettable and much-too-short trip to Venice.
Day 1 - Arrival Day
Our trip today began in Vilshofen, Germany. We took a private transfer to the Munich train station on the Autobahn! Yep, that autobahn And it is true, you can go as fast as you like but the recommended speed is 80 mph. Some cars flew by us in a flash, others drove what seemed like the recommended speed. Our driver was only allowed the recommended speed.
The train station in Munich is a well-oiled machine. Overwhelming at first but laid out well and easy to maneuver. That journey is a different article so I leave it there for now. We traveled from Munich to Venice passing through Germany, Austria, and finally into Italy. If you have never seen the Dolomites, take the train! They reach to the sky dwarfing the lush green lands and vineyards around them They are absolutely stunning. The train took 6 or so hours so much of the first day was gone but well worth the loss. Do it once at least.
As we crossed the water and approached Venice the excitement was barely containable. Upon arrival, we exited St. Lucia Station. Don't get off in Maestro, that is mainland Venice and if you are staying on the island, you will exit at Santa Lucia. Fitting enough, it is the last stop for the train. When you exit you will walk right out to a plaza with the most amazing view. We had arrived in Venice!
Everything you need is available when you exit from private water taxi to Vaporetto tickets.
We arrived at the Hotel Palazzo Stern in time to watch the sunset at dinner from the patio restaurant of our hotel. We stayed right on the Grand Canal. This Moorish palace-turned-hotel dates back to the 15th century! So if you like boutique hotels with a bit of history, this may be the place for you. The concierge is amazing and everyone is very helpful. I chose this hotel because it is within walking distance of sites, restaurants, plazas, museums, you name it. And what is not nearby by foot, is a quick trip on the Vaporetto which happens to be right next door.
Pro tip: Buy a multi-day ticket on the Vaporetto, you can get anywhere with it. Uh...and don't lose your ticket like I did!! They will not replace it.
Dining
Diner: Scallops at the hotel, very good but pricey. The view of the grand canal was amazing.
Day 2- Murano, Burano, and Exploring
Day 2 was a Sunday and we didn't want to have to worry about things being closed so we planned to take a morning tour to Murano and Burano Islands. That way we had extra time to explore after the tour. We met our guide by the water outside St Mark's Square and took the small group tour via private boat for a short ride across the lagoon to Murano first. The ride alone is beautiful.
Our guide was amazing and very knowledgeable about the area, the history, and told us about each island we passed along the way. There are many. Murano is known for it's glasswork and specifically, Murano glass. We visited a factory and watched the artison make 3 pieces of glass then visited the gift shop, more like a museum, of the work they produce. They offer items for all price levels even a small piece of candy made of murano glass.
Our next stop was my favorite; Burano. It is known for its vibrant and colorful houses, lace-making tradition, and charming canals. We saw a lace-making demonstration and visited the shop then had plenty of time on our own to explore. This town has many beautiful canals, restaurants, and shops to explore. First, gelato and soaking in the charm of this little island. More shopping, and exploring, taking photos then time for a fish cone. It was mostly calamari but I love calamari so it was wonderful. It was almost big enough for 2 people.
Pro tip: Burano lace is a painstaking process requiring multiple highly trained and skilled knitters. If the lace you are buying seems a great price, it is probably not true Burano lace. Ask, they will tell you if it is. With the amount of work going into each piece, you can imagine it claims a high price.
Dining
Breakfast: Hotel.
Lunch: Fish Cone in Burano, Cicchetti (think hardy tapas) & Aperativo in Venice at Bacaro al Ravano. Recommend! Try the anchovy cicchetti!
Dinner: Pizza at -Pizzeria Ristorante Da Gianni on the water. Recommend!
Day 3 - Gondola Ride and Walking the Town
Be sure to hop on a gondola to get the quintessential Venetian experience. Finding the place was not the easiest due to directions but the trip was fun. Tickets can be purchased in a variety of ways. I booked in advance, you can also go up to stands everywhere and buy them or get them from the concierge at your hotel for the closest one to you. I love our trip and will post videos on YouTube. We ventured down a variety of small canals and even went into the grand canal for a brief time. For anyone on a honeymoon or looking for romance, select a private gondola. The smaller canals are more romantic than the grand canal which can have quite a bit of traffic.
Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto): As the oldest and most famous bridge spanning the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge is an iconic symbol of Venice. In the midst of summer, it was CROWDED and a bit hard to maneuver but who can pass up this iconic site? I found the vendors in the markets almost everywhere there, including Rialto, to be reasonable for souvenirs. They all have the basics bags, shirts, etc. Hats are big in Venice so you will see them everywhere. Now, by St. Marks Square you will also find Prada, Versace, Luis Vitton, Valentino, and other designers, if that is your preference.
St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco): This iconic square is the heart of Venice and a hub of activity. It is surrounded by notable landmarks like St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Campanile (bell tower) and is a meeting point for many tours. The square's architectural grandeur and vibrant atmosphere make it a captivating place to visit. It is quite busy at times but big enough to hold everyone! Fair warning, at high tide, you may need boots and you can rent them there.
If you don't want to wait in line to get into St Mark's Basilica, typically 2 hours, your best bet is a tour with skip-the-line access. The line is always long to get in but get there early if you don't have tickets.
For a must-do experience, have dessert and coffee at Caffe Florian in the square while listening to classical music. This elegant Caffe opened in 1720 and has served celebrities, and dignitaries, and welcomes everyone. Don't worry about attire, it is whatever you are wearing. The inside rooms are steeped in history as well. The waiters are dressed in formal attire adding to the ambiance. Definitely an experience in Venice! If you are looking for a more casual experience, try any of the numerous cafes down the small but numerous alleyways around the square or in the various neighborhoods in Venice.
The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale): Situated adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace was the seat of power during the Venetian Republic. This magnificent Gothic palace features opulent halls and a network of prisons below. Be sure to cross the "Bridge of Sighs", where prisoners were said to have seen their last view of Venice through a small window before being put to death. It also houses artwork by renowned painters such as Tintoretto and Veronese. Get tickets in advance if you want Audiovox, they sell out quickly. We were able to get tickets the day we went but they had sold out of the Audiovox headsets.
Pro tip: If you want great photos of Venice, go to Punta della Dogana. It was very windy, that's not a pose so plan for the wind. The photos you can get here are stunning all around the point.
Dining
Breakfast :At the hotel.
Lunch/Snack: Caffe Florian
Dinner at Terrazza Dei Nobili. I don't recommend this one. If you want cold clams with overcooked pasta, overcooked gnocchi, and poor wait service, try this place.
Dessert at a local bakery. Cannolli!
Tour: Gondola Experience
Day 4 - Goodbye Venezia
Our journey started in Budapest, Hungary on a river cruise to Vilshofen, Germany then the train to Venice. Although I didn't want to leave Venice, it was time to get back home.....for a while anyway. But, trust me, the "City of Water" has a truly unique charm that will leave you spellbound and most definitely anxious to return and experience more.
Our ride to the airport via water taxi was just as memorable as the trip itself. As we left the hotel we passed under Rialto Bridge, and by the hotels, homes, and museums seeming to float atop the water, we said goodbye to St Mark's Square on the most beautiful day. Our driver told us about the cost of housing and how much less it is on mainland Venice but he just couldn't leave the Island. "I am Venician," he said with such pride and he just couldn't imagine living anywhere else!
Check out a few options for tours next time you are considering Venice!
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