Spend a Long Weekend in Venice
For tourists, Venice is one of the most frequented cities in Italy. There are countless reasons to flock there. Beautiful historical sites, unique events and delicious cuisine are only three reasons people show up. Some fear that the high rate of tourism has left little of the real Venice beneath the tourism industry. Don’t let these people fool you. If you want to experience Venice how the locals do, you still can. With a weekend to spare, you can see a completely different side to the city. In a couple of days, it’s possible to catch a glimpse of the city that the Venetians know best.
Don’t Worry About Seeing Everything
There is no way that you can see everything in Venice, with only a few days to spare. The city is like a maze of streets and is so large that even local Venetians may not have traveled everywhere. If you’re planning a short trip, then you need to have a game plan in place. It’s best to know where you want to go and what you want to see. Try to enjoy as much as you can, but remember, you can always come back.
Check out the Famous Areas First
While you probably won’t be able to see all of Venice in one weekend, there are certain sites that you don’t want to miss out on. For instance, no trip to Venice would be complete without a visit to St. Mark’s Square. This magical piazza has barely changed in the last 1000 years. At the square, you’ll see orchestras and large gatherings of people, both local and adventurers like yourself.
Likewise, you don’t want to miss out on the Basilica. With five beautiful domes and stunning mosaics, people line up for a glimpse inside. Make sure to go on an afternoon when the lines aren’t too long. This will make the entire experience a lot more enjoyable and less stressful.
Additionally, find Rialto. Rialto is the heart of Venice. Here, you’ll find the bustle of the city. While there are plenty of attractions for tourists, you can also check out the fish and vegetable markets.
Experience the Gardens and Gondolas
Did you know that there are gardens scattered throughout Venice? You may have to take off the beaten path, but there are beautiful green and colorful gardens tucked away from the streets. If you’re looking for a real experience of Venice, Italy, locate these smaller attractions. Then, change it up and experience another side of the city, check out the kayak tours. You’ll have a more unforgettable experience if you book a tour at night to paddle through the unlit canals. Of course, no trip to Venice is complete without some time on a gondola.
Stay in the Perfect Hotel
While traveling, finding the right hotel is one of the more stressful aspects. Fortunately, in Venice, there is a hotel for everyone. Whether you want to find yourself a warm, cozy room at a bed and breakfast or if you would rather have a palazzo on the waterfront, you can find it. If you’re in need of something a little more budget friendly, there are hostels, which are generally clean and comfortable without a high price tag.
For something simpler, you may consider the San Giorgio Maggiore Monastery. At the monastery, you only pay the monks what you can. For a price you can afford, you’re able to stay in a 16th century monastery.
Discover How to Travel Through Venice
When in town, you can walk to most places. This is the preferred way of travel within the city. While there are islands that you cannot reach on foot, most of the places are an easy walking distance. Now, if you don’t want to stay in Venice the entire time, there are other modes of transportation to ferry you to and from. For instance, if you want to see more of Italy, a train will take you to Verona, Milan, Florence and another will take you to Rome.
Take Part in the Night Life
Cities are different at night and Venice is no exception. For an evening out, visit the local bars. You’ll find offerings of small glasses of wine and bar food known as cicchetti. Taste appetizers like battered sea food or deep-fried mozzarella. Bar crawling in Venice is as exciting as it is in any new city. There are bars for every type of person. Whether you want to drink wine to the background of live music or sip the best cocktails in town, bar crawling ensures you’ll find a little bit of everything. Keep in mind, however, that bars in Venice close around midnight. You won’t find much of a club scene there.
Now, if you happen to be in Venice in July, don’t miss out on the Festa Del Redentore. This is a weekend festival of fireworks and champagne. This celebration is centuries old, dating back to the end of a plague in 1577. You can enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants and watch the fireworks.
Indulge in Venetian Cuisine
Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll hear about the food. This is particularly true of Italy. When you visit Venice, you must take part in the cuisine. Not only is this one way to experience the culture of the city, but likewise, the food will have you coming back. For finer cuisine, you can dine out in the evening, overlooking the Giudecca Canal at the Pensione Calcine. If you want to try out the local street food, check out the Frito Inn. Then, stop off at the Gislon for affordable, authentic cuisine.
When it comes to a vacation to Italy, there are so many sites to see and so much history to take part in. What you don’t want to forget about is the current life of the cities that you see. Venice is still very much a popular, lively city. When you visit, you should visit those historical sites, but likewise, experience what modern life is like. Enjoy the maze-like streets, secret gardens, gondolas and colorful homes. After a weekend in Venice, you’ll want to visit again.
