Thanks to many recommendations from friends,and the help of Expedia and TripAdvisor, Bo and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Venice, Italy.
Venice is unlike any city I’ve visited before, which makes it wonderful and complicated at the same time. It is grittier than most cities we’ve visited in Western Europe, spray paint around every corner. Many of the locals seem to be annoyed by tourists, even though Venice’s economy is based primarily on tourism.
Even during the “off-season” in late February, after carnival and before the summer crowds, there were tourists everywhere. There are no cars within Venice, therefore your two modes of transportation are on foot or via water. Similar to other cities, there are public and private water transport options which range in price from a few euros to over 90 euros for a private water taxi. Though we didn’t use it, many people recommend using their public transportation website ACTV to understand your route options, especially if you plan to explore other nearby islands.
You will get lost in Venice, regardless how strong your GPS signal or your Google Maps skills. Getting lost is part of the fun, as long as you plan accordingly. In order to make sure you never get too lost we highly recommend traveling to Venice with a data package, a paper map or tour book and an extra phone battery or charging pack.
Once you choose Venice as a destination, make sure you include the following stops on your itinerary.
Enjoy sunset cocktails at Bar Gritti or one of the other hotel verandahs or bars over looking the Grand Canal.
Treat yourself to an afternoon snack of tiramisu, made in front of you, at I Tre Mercanti.
Try local wines and cicchetti, Italian bar snacks, at Do Mori, while chatting with the very friendly staff. Tucked into an alley way, this wine bar has been serving to locals and tourists alike for more than two hundred years!
Get your daily caffeine jolt with the locals at Torrefazione Cannaregio and buy some beans to take back home. Their espresso will only set you back less than a euro!
Hop in a gondola right before sunset for a relaxing 30 minute tour of Venice’s canals. It is the best way to view the city! Ignore the 60-80 euro price tag – at the end of the day you’re in Venice and what is more characteristic of Venice than a gondola ride? Before getting in the gondola, confirm that you gondolier will take you through the smaller canals, or you’ll feel like you’re on a Disney World ride.
Explore the city at dusk and dawn, the two best times to enjoy it without the tourists and have the streets and squares to yourself. The city is one of the safest in Europe, so the only thing you have to be scared of is getting lost or being awake before the coffee shops open.
I’ll share the rest of our adventures including our hotel and favorite sights, in the next Venice post!
If you want full reviews of everywhere we stay, eat and drink be sure to follow me on TripAdvisor.
Ugh! You make me miss my family in Italy so much, and Italy in general so much too. From this post and your IG it sounds like you had an incredible trip.
Next year make it to Venice for Carnevale. It’s a sight to be seen!
I really don’t think I’d enjoy Venice during Carnevale – too many people! Sorry Sabrina, if it’s any consolation we don’t have another Italy trip planned as of now 🙂
Lots of great photos! I love the part about getting lost because it’s SO true. When I visited Venice, I ended up pretty much in someone’s backyard in a residential area. Still not sure how I got there haha
Thanks Christina! Haha yes that’s VERY Venice!
I recommend the app “CityMaps2Go” (Ulmon Pro). You download the maps of the cities before you go, then the app works with your phone’s GPS without using any data! Have used it from Jerusalem to US cities!
Thanks Anna – I’ll download it now!
Gorgeous photos Ashley! Hope we make it there sometime soon and can take your advice 🙂
Thanks Jenna!
Well you certainly had better weather than when I visited Venice a few years back! It was down pouring our entire time there! We still managed to have fun, even with a soaking wet gondola ride! (But sometimes, those are the best memories!)
Looks like you had an amazing time despite stomach issues. You are a trooper!
Yes we were so lucky Jane as it only rained on Sunday!
Wow. Beautiful photos! All your tips and suggestions of places to go always sound so amazing.
Aww thanks Abby!
9-10 day honeymoon in Italy: where would you go? I’m just asking for a friend… 😉
There are so many options depending on time of year, what they’ve seen before and whether they want city or beach/vineyards. If you send me an email I’m happy to help!
I want to go back! One of my favorite hotels, the Cipriani, is in Venice. I hope you went over to have a Bellini!