Allow me to share with you a few words and shots about our Venetian weekend. We are lucky to live quite near to the romantic and charming city of Venice and in fact we have visited the city several times already. Being such a world-known location, it is inevitable that it is very crowded and packed with tourists all year round. The situation with Covid and all travel restrictions reduced the number of travelers, and we took do opportunity for a weekend trip. We have rediscovered the beauty of this fascinating city since it was easy to wander around the city. The whole experience was unique since there was really less tourist but surprisingly still more than we expected.
Gondolas parked at San Marco square
Since we like to walk, we crisscrossed around the city on foot, but of course we also used public water transportation called “vaporetto”.
The water city is built on long wooden piles made from oak and intertwined with canals, connected with numerous bridges. Apparently, in Venice there are more than 400 bridges, some of them are private since they lead to private houses or apartments.
Long and narrow canals are fascinating and if you capture a gondola, they are picture perfect😊. The gondoliers gave the impression that is easy to ride a 11 meters long gondola, but we were barely standing on it 😨.
The main square, San Marco, with its campanile and the Basilica, are one of the most popular sights of Venice. On the first day of our stay, we were not able to reach San Marco since the water level had been raised up and the whole square was under water. We could walk on the square with special “plastic shoe bags” that you can buy almost everywhere, but we’ve decided to return the next day. And luckily the water receded, and we were able to walk around the square.
San Marco square
St Mark's Campanile
Basilica at San Marco square
One of the corners of San Marco square is adorned by the white beauty of Doge Palace.
Doge Palace
Although this was not our first visit to Venice, it was the first time that we took the gondola ride. I was not thrilled by the idea, but my wife and son, they insisted. I must admit that it was really an unforgettable experience, maybe because the canals were so quiet (there were only a few gondolas), maybe because we had really great weather or maybe because I was with my loved ones (I’m so saccharine, am I ?). There are different points where you can take the gondola ride, we decided to make it nearby the San Marco square, and the ride gave us an amazing view of the Bridge of the Sighs.
By the name of the bridge, Bridge of the Sighs, you might think of a romantic view that impresses the visitors, but the reality is quite macabre. The bridge connected the Doge Palace to the prison and when the condemned were escorted to the prison they took a last look at their city, and they sighed.
Bridge of the Sighs
Wandering around Venice you will discover many interesting and not so famous sights like the Palazzo Tetta, one of the few houses in Venice that is surrounded by water from 3 sides.
Tetta palace
After all this walking we were often thirsty and hungry, and the Venetians had a perfect solution. A plate of “cicchetti” (small bites) and a glass of Spritz (cocktail of sparkling Italian wine, sparkling water, and Aperol bitters aperitif). And of course, it's always the right time for excellent Italian espresso.
Cicchetti ready to eat 😋
Aperol Spritz 🍸 and espresso ☕
Venice's “main road” is the Grand Canal (main canal). The best view of the canal is from L ’Academia bridge. I felt like I was on a motorway overpass 😆.
View from Academia bridge
Passing the bridge, you will arrive to the predominant Santa Maria della Salute church, located right opposite to San Marco, and offering best view of the square.
Santa Maria della Salute church
In the opposite direction you can take a look at the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.
There are many popular events that are taking place in Venice (at least in normal years). Like the Venice film festival, Venice Biennale and of course the Carnevale of Venice. The Venetian masques are a typical souvenir, a must-have from Venice.
A unique spot is a special book shop called “Libreria Acqua Alta” a little bit chaotic bookshop where you will find books on high shelves, inside a canoa, and there is also a big gondola full of books parked in the middle of the shop. To make it even more unusual, a few cats wondering around the shop. The place is known to be one of the most “instagrammable” spots in Venice.
The strong influence of sea level on everyday life is well visible in the crypt of the San Zaccaria church, where the sea has already entered the crypt of the church. The area around San Marco square is the oldest and the lowest part of the city and with high sea levels it is the first one to be flooded. In 24 hours, sea level changes by about 70 centimeters.
The night in Venice is magical, with all the lights reflecting in the water. We recommend you a night ride on the vaporetto under the white Rialto bridge.
Rialto Bridge
If you will ever have the chance to visit Venice, take it, you won’t be disappointed.
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