Located in the North East of Italy, are 118 islands separated by their famous canals and 800 beautiful bridges. This unique city is no other than VENICE!

Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities I have visited.  It’s one of those rare places where you truly want to get lost. Wandering among its ancient stones, through its twisting, picturesque narrow streets and alleys and listening to singing gondoliers! 

I always thought Paris was the most romantic place in Europe, but after visiting Venice I have completely changed my mind. There is simply nothing else like it in the world.

Getting To Venice

When booking a plane tickets to Venice you should  know there are 2 airports. The main one is Marco Polo and the second one (a bit further) Treviso.

I assume my 70 GBP flight from Skycanner was so inexpensive because I flew in to Treviso flew in to Treviso. Although it takes a little longer than Marco Polo airport, it was very easy to get to the city centre.

How to get to Venice from Treviso:  As you walk out from the airport search for the bus shuttle ATVO. The ticket is cheaper when you buy the return trip for 22 euro / person. The shuttle take approx 45 minutes and you will arrive at Piazzale Roma. To get to main square Piazza San Marco take the public service boat number 51 or ’N’ (after midnight). Get off in San Zaccaria. The ride should take you around 1 hour- It’s actually pretty enjoyable as you get an amazing first look at Venice.

How to get to the centre from Marco Polo? Take the boat line called ‘ALILAGUNA’ which takes you to stop San Zaccaria in around an hour. The ticket costs 15 euro per person.

Where to Stay in Venice

As you probably heard- Venice can be really expensive. A night in a hotel at Piazza San Marco can cost even over 1,000 pound. I have decided to find something cheaper, smaller, ideally close to the centre but more like a guest house rather than a 5 star fancy hotel.

It took me a while as most of the places where fully booked already, but found this gorgeous, Venetian- style, family run place – Locanda Casa Querini. The location was perfect –  only 5 minutes away from famous and lively Piazza San Marco, but on a quiet square called Campo San Giovani Novo.

It was honestly an oasis from the midst of touristy chaos. I absolutely loved our charming, venetian-style bedroom – it was just perfect for our anniversary. I also found the owner extremely helpful.  She supplied us with a map and explained how to make the most of out short stay.  Also the price was great – 70 pound per night with a complimentary buffet-style breakfast. Highly recommended!

Transportation in Venice

Venice is not a big city and the best way to feel the atmosphere is walking through its little streets and alleys, admire the maze of canals, whimsical bridges and colourful buildings. However if you want to experience the authentic Venetian transportation system the cheapest is using ‘ Vaporetto’ – water bus. The single ride cost 7,50 euro ( valid 60 minutes) so if you’re staying in Venice a bit longer I would suggest to purchase the proper pass.

We stayed in Venice for 2 days and got 24 hours pass for 28 euro per person. It was actually very useful as apart from getting around Venice you can also travel to nearby islands using the same ticket.

Venice is also a great to get lost in- and trust me no matter how great your map is you will (and remember there’s no uber in here!)  Moving by ferries is super easy though, there are very few lines. If you’re staying in the centre getting back to St. Marco and asking for directions from there is usually the best and the quickest solution.

Even if you do not speak Italian do not hesitate to ask locals for help – they are extremely friendly and helpful – I’ve seen them even drawing little map for the lost tourists in the middle of the night!

What to See & Do 

Piazza San Marco

I am not a big fan of crazy crowds and noise so to be absolutely honest with you – in the day time this place was driving me mad. Since it was the summer, their busiest month, there were tons of tourists pushing each other and running around with selfie sticks- disaster.

BUT I have discovered the magic of the place while strolling under cover of the darkness when all the tourists were gone and I could just soak in its peace and ethereal beauty. I have also passed this place in the sunset time and I must say it took my breath away! It’s a must to see while in Venice.

Bridge of Sights – Ponte di Sospiri

I have never seen more beautiful and romantic bridge than this one, but to be honest before going to Venice I had no idea where it took its name from. Legend says that it comes from the fact that it was prisoners last stop to breath the pure air before losing their freedom forever.

Rialto Bridge ( Ponte di Rialto)

The oldest bridge across the canal in the heart of Venice. It’s just impossible to miss it. There are signs ‘ Rialto ‘ everywhere. It’s about 10 minutes walk from St Mark’s.

What’s interesting, unlike most tourist attractions, the Rialto Bridge is actually visited by Venetians as it’s an important crossing-place on the Grand Canal. You can spot them chattering in italian and passing across the bridge leaving all tourists behind, diving into the short-cuts which run behind the rows of souvenir stalls.

P.s. If you are interested in buying souvenirs- there are many lovely shops around this area so don’t hesitate and get yourself something! Also there is a famous fruit and vegetable market around, where local life is guaranteed to be experienced. The fruits I bought there were honestly the sweetest and juiciest in the world! Perfect treat to beat the heat!

Gondola ride through Grand Canal

It has been on my bucket list for ages and I knew it will be super special and exciting moment to me, but it was actually even more than I have expected. Maybe not the cheapest( 80 euro for 25 mins ride)  but definitely the most romantic thing to do in Venice.

It was a perfect gift for our anniversary. Holding hands, cute kisses under Bridge of Sights, singing gondolier in the background and the magic of little streets all around us- fairytale. We were even a witness of a wedding proposal on the gondola right next to us! How romantic! I swear my heart was melting! Will never forget this moment.

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

For a little luxury and breathtaking views head to Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Hotel’s stunning skyline bar overviewing the Grande Canal busy with gondolas and ferries. It is a bit pricey place but trust me – this view is worth every penny!

You do not need a reservation and also if you can’t afford a dinner there – don’t worry, you can go just for a drink.Just check if the place is open to the public on the day as I heard sometimes it is closed due to a private event. You can get there by boat from Zaccaria – it takes few minutes as you only need to get to the other side of the canal. Order one of their delicious Bellinis and get your camera ready as you will be taking loads of pictures!

Burano Island

My favourite place to write about in this post. The place that has been on my bucket list for ages. The island I was dreaming about – beautiful Burano. Can’t even describe how excited I was the night before we went there, I literally couldn’t sleep! (So I have planned everything perfectly). Woke up super early as I wanted to avoid massive crowds and extreme heat.

We used our boat pass and took a Vaporetto N 12 from Fondamente Nove. It took us around 45 minutes. It was only 9 am but it was already very hot and busy so looked like other travellers had similar plan to mine…Well, after I got off the ferry and looked at this place I forgot about the whole world and turn into a crazy travel bunny! No one and nothing was bothering me anymore. It was just me and a rainbow of colours. Can’t even name my emotions – happiness, positivity, energy and also that amazing feeling of your dreams coming true. Absolutely unreal, so quaint and perfect at every single corner. It was honestly the most cheerful place I have seen in my life. As I found out later, the houses were painted in different colours so the fishermen could easily recognise their home from the sea.

Also Burano is famous for the lace so there are many cute boutiques where you can buy the gorgeous lace work.

Of course I couldn’t leave Burano without taking a photo with every house on the island. Aren’t they just gorgeous? 

 

Boutique del Gelato

Do not miss out the best gelato in the city and head to Boutique del Gelato, a little shop on busy San Lio. Don’t give up because of the huge crowd and a long queue – this is SO worth it!

 

Additional Tips 

• Enjoy getting lost in Venice. You will get to discover the untrammelled and un-tourists parts of the city and trust me – these are the most charming ones.
• Do not buy souvenirs in Piazza San Marco – you can’t find the same stuffs anywhere else at least twice cheaper. The same thing about buying there any drinks or snacks. And if you do, do not say I haven’t warn you – 5 euro for a little bottle of water or 9 euro for an espresso is a standard in this area.
• Do not eat anywhere with all the languages and food photographs on the menu – these are typical touristy, overpriced places with poor quality food that has nothing to do with the authentic Venetian cuisine. Spend some more time searching and I am sure you will find some hidden gems. I’ve discovered mine accidentally (so I can’t really explain where it was) but it was called Osteria Al Portego. Unimposing, traditional italian restaurant filled with locals which was a good sign to me. I must say the food was absolutely delicious and reasonably priced. Try it if you’re around (and please say hello and a big thank you again to the lovely Italian lady who was patiently trying to remove the tomato sauce that I have spread all around my dress while eating, right before our gondola date! Whatever she did, it worked!)
• Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking A LOT – I am telling you from my own experience. On the first day I felt like I am in the middle of Italian movie and put on little white dress and platform sandals. It didn’t take me long to resign, ‘run’ back to the apartment  and jump into sneakers. Well, at least I have managed to take some Venetian- style photographs, haha! 
• Get a gelato or a take away pizza and enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Grand Canal. I swear I could be sitting there and watching gondoliers for hours! 

• To avoid all hustle and bustle, take a gondola ride during siesta or sunset time – it feels much more special when all you could hear is singing gondolier and the lap waves rather than screaming tourists and shutterbugs( taking photos of your gondola ride at all times!) Also agree on a ride’s price before, as they may be very tricky!
• Take some aperitivio time. Sit down in a place you like the most, order famous Aperol Spritz or a glass of the local wine, some cichetti ( local little tapas) ,lose the track of time and just simply enjoy the Italian ‘ dolce far niente ‘ (sweet doing nothing)
• Learn few words in Italian, like ‘Buongiorno’ – Good morning, ‘Ciao’ – Hello, ‘Grazie’ – Thank you, ’ scuza’ – I am sorry. I’ve noticed that makes locals so happy and also they won’t be looking at you as another dumb tourist, but a real traveller.
• Be aware of pickpockets in Venice. Keep your personal belongings safe (especially on those busy bridges and ferries- it gets SUPER crowded so it literally takes seconds to get robbed)
• Empty the memory card of your camera. Every single corner, bridge, little street, gondolier or even a hanging laundry is literally begging you to take a photo! So make some space as you will take LOADS!

I hope this was helpful! To read more travel blogs written by me, The Blonde Flamingo check out my guide to the Maldives on a Budget or my blog!