Well hello hello hello, Venezia. Fancy seeing you here. I’ve heard a lot about ya.
So, once again, most of my knowledge of what European cities would be like came from my childhood (and adulthood), playing the Nancy Drew PC games; in this case, we are talking specifically of Phantom of Venice (a delightful mystery revolving around a masked/cloaked art thief and Nancy’s – your – sleuthing to uncover who is behind the thefts to ultimately apprehend the criminal and be the most heroic heroine in all of Italy. I literally just played this game very recently, so it is fresh on the brain). Hence it is safe to say that Venice was more than I could have ever even prepared myself for.
We stayed in a small beach town of Lido di Jesolo outside of Venice, as we were traveling by bus and our driver could not get into the city. The town was adorable and we could easily walk from the hotel to the beach, and taking a water taxi into Venice itself was easy peasy. Venetian locals go to this town to relax and hang out by the beach. I think it is common for tourists to spend only a day or two in Venice and see all the major sites; we did not stay long either, but I would love to return and stay a while in the city and take it slow.
What to Do
Go glass shopping (and see a glass-blowing demonstration!)
Venice’s blown glass is world-renowned. They make anything from earrings to vases to giant, elaborate, creative chandeliers. You can attend glassblowing demonstrations throughout the city, which show the creation of blown-glass products, as well as go through some of the history of this ancient art. The process dates back to the thirteenth century, when glass-makers were prominent citizens; it passes the glass from a liquid to a solid state by using a glassblowing pipe and creating something truly unique. It is really a cool thing to watch, and also fun to peruse the finished products afterwards.
Get lost
Another thing about Venice that you’d never be able to imagine until you’ve been there: it is a MAZE, each side street only a few feet wide. It is easy to get lost in this complicated city, but it’s also something you won’t even mind doing, since there are new restaurants, shops, bridges, and beautiful buildings around every narrow corner.
Gondola ride
While you’re in Venice, you should probably take part in the most iconic aspects of it (I’m just sayin’). Venice is a city built on a lagoon and is connected by almost 180 canals, which split the city into 118 islands. The city is distinctive in this way; Amsterdam, also full of canals, is nothing compared to Venice’s setup. So hop inside a gondola with as many friends as you can and enjoy as your gondolier guides you through narrow canals and open water. If you’re lucky, he will also serenade you!
Our gondolier was named Felipo and was hot as fire. I tried to flirt with him but I suppose he got that all the time since he was unresponsive and disinterested (though I like to tell myself he was actually just the strong silent type). I tipped him 2€, mostly because he made me a little extra sweaty on the already blazing hot day.
Go to the beach
Lido di Jesolo is only a water-taxi away from the center of Venice, and though it is outside the city, it is absolutely beautiful in its own right. It is laid back, with beautiful blue water and extensive sand beaches. We were there in the middle of June and the entire time we were there we had the beach almost to ourselves in the evenings, so it was a nice getaway from congested and touristy Venice.
What to Eat
Alfredo’s
Alfredo’s is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving the freshest takeaway pasta in the land. Located on Calle de la Casseleria, Alfredo’s is not easy to find in this crazy city, but once you do find it, you’ll realize it is worth the search. They opened half an hour early for us to get our lunch, and even gave us a free bottle of wine. And the PASTA – best pasta I have ever eaten by far. I am hoping that they get their name out there because they are truly a hidden gem.
UPDATE 2016: I looked up Alfredo’s online for shits and gigs recently and apparently it is now number one rated in Venice!! Woohoo! Go Alfredo’s!!
Seafood!
Seafood is a really big thing in Venice, which makes sense for a city built on water. Fun Robin fact: after two weeks of traveling through Europe together, romantic Venice was where Steven and I decided to have our first date (2016: Steven is my now ex-boyfriend who I met on this post-graduation trip to Europe and dated for probably too long and who taught me to never date again). We ended up going to one of the MANY seafood restaurants right by the beach in Lido di Jeloso, and got huge plates of shrimp pasta with red wine (and I was too distracted to even snap a picture of the meal, but trust me, seafood is a must while you’re in Venice or the surrounding area).
Gelato!!
Duh. Get many many many servings of it. It doesn’t even matter if you’re too full. Have the gelato.
What to See
St. Mark’s Basilica
The most famous church in all of Venice, and located right on the main square, this is a can’t-miss for Roman Catholics and/or architecture-lovers (I am the latter, and a big one). It is apparently one of the best examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture; I am a little bummed because they were doing some construction on it while I was visiting and I was unable to capture the pictures that I would have wanted to capture, but I am still glad that I saw it and got to walk around the breathtaking inside.
Venetian masks
Yet another icon of Venice. In February or March is Carnevale, a celebration of Lent — a Venetian Mardi Gras — famous for the elaborate masks donned by the attendees. As you walk through the streets of Venice, you’ll see masks everywhere, and can buy one for a cool souvenir! And if you’re lucky enough to be visiting during Carnevale, GO!! Plus, it is probably a nice time to visit Italy, as June and July are extremely hot and humid in this water-surrounded city.
Piazza San Marco
The main square of Venice, and the main cultural and religious center of the city, home to St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and Doge’s Palace. It is completely extravagant (albeit hot and crowded with tourists, but it is okay) and the perfect meeting place to gather, admire the square, and set off into the winding streets of Venice.
Wow, what a unique city this was!! Even though it is obviously Italian in many ways, it is so different from any other city that it’s no wonder that it attracts 20 million tourists every year. I look forward to going back (maybe not in June, to avoid the heat. Anyone who knows me knows that I pour sweat like a man in 75 degree weather and cannot maturely handle anything hotter) and staying a little longer in this magical, romantic place!
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