This city of the senses is unique in the world with its dark, gritty marble palaces that are blackened by the centuries-old corroding damp. It is a city of the senses that stands out because of its narrow streets, which are largely free from traffic and relatively unaffected by hustlers.
Venice is an Italian version of Venezia. It sprawls across an archipelago with 117 linked islands. This is one place you should swoon about. The romantic atmosphere is at its best on a winter’s night when the last light rays are disappearing from the sky. This aptly-named Pearl of the Adriatic is engulfed by a spectral atmosphere when the windows high above the canals begin to shine with twinkling lights, and the mists waft upward from the inky channels to shroud the structures.
Things to Do and See in Venice
Venice is more than just a place to gaze at beautiful things. This is why we return to it as often as possible to recharge our batteries. The proud and beautiful city is cleverly multi-faceted. This self-possessed lady is able to carry off the title of “tourist resort” admirably, but she lacks the brilliance that many tourists have.
Venice does it gracefully and with grace. She is a sexy pleasure seeker, a paradise for artists, and a mecca for culture lovers. When Carnevale arrives, the exciting, unique, and stunning time of joy that takes place in winter, Venice pulls out all of the stops to demonstrate how dancing, feasting, and drinking should be done.
Venetian Carnival is a celebration that draws thousands of people from around the globe. The Carnival of Venice is an annual festival held on the days before Lent. Venezia is transformed into a magical world by festival-goers who dress up in elaborate masks and wear stunning costumes.
No matter when you visit Venice, you will be captivated by the city.
The Rialto
The Rialto hotel is located in a prime location along the Grand Canal, the city’s main thoroughfare, and one of the most bustling parts of the city. The stunning close-up view from our windows of the hotel’s namesake was jaw-dropping — it was like a tourist board brochure.
The Rialto Bridge, built-in 1588, and immortalized by Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”, still defies all predictions and stands strong despite the additional weight of its double arcades full of shops.
Grand Canal, the vibrant heart of the city, has been home to the Nobili Hormini, its aristocrats. Here you can admire their impressive marble palaces, over one hundred in total, framed by colored posts that display the livery of their owners.
Gondolas at Venice
It is a place where there is no traffic. You can stroll through the narrow streets and listen to the sweet sounds of the gondoliers, who silently and gently weave through the canals. This is the ideal spot for a chill-out.
Gondolas date back to ancient times and have a unique feature: the gondolier stands beside the passengers. To reduce rivalry among noble houses, a 1562 law required that all gondolas be painted black.
St. Mark’s Square
It is always a pleasure to go to St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) in the heart of Venice morning. When the city is just starting to wake up, it has a special magic. It gets very crowded later in the day, which is not surprising considering that this square is the city’s most popular tourist attraction. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee and be serenaded by an orchestra at this spot.
Napoleon loved the square so much that, two centuries ago it was called “the best drawing room in Europe”.
The piazza is dominated by two famous buildings: the Doges’ Palace, and St. Mark’s Basilica. The magnificent Byzantine church St. Mark’s is decorated with hand-set mosaics that cover the floor, walls, and ceiling. While the front doors feature precious and semi-precious gemstones, each one inset by hand, and featuring awe-inspiring religious scenes, it’s possible to recall the life of Venice’s patron saint.
The Basilica is located next to the Doges’ Palace, a magnificent pink-white Verona marble-and-Istrian stone building. It houses a remarkable collection of frescoes, paintings, and even Tintoretto’s “Paradise”, which is the largest oil painting in the entire world.
The famous Bridge of Sighs is located just behind the Doges’ Palace. It is a small, elegant covered stone bridge that connects the prison and the law courts. This bridge was the link between liberty for condemned prisoners and their doom. I feel sad every time I see it. The bridge’s name was derived from their pathetic laments on the way to and fro from the trial.
Follow the Doge’s Palace length to Ponte della Paglia. This bridge faces the Bridge of Soighs. It is always packed with people taking photos of it in the background.
Each visit to Venice in Italy is a reward for us with more magic and secrets waiting to be discovered in her spaghetti platter of narrow streets and picturesque canals. Venice is a mystery city that never lets go of her mask. This may explain her long-lasting appeal.
Train Travel in Italy
The train is the best way to travel in Italy. It is easy to travel by train in Italy. To explore the most well-known train routes in Italy, check out the interactive map by Omio. Select your departure city to see routes to the most popular destinations in Italy. You can also view journey times and a minimum price.
