Travel review of Venice – it is the most beautiful city

The first time we visited Venice, we were arriving on a Celebrity cruise ship. We had started the cruise from Barcelona (check out our travel review of Barcelona here!) Admittedly, not the best for the environment and this city on the water. The entrance into the port alongside the Piazza San Marco seemed very surreal. Beautiful yet dwarfed by the modern large cruise ship. This travel review of Venice shares our experiences in Venice over the last 20 years.

The next time (2007) I took my mother there for her to reminisce on her past with my departed dad, we flew in to the Venice airport and enjoyed a fantastic boat trip into our hotel mooring. Much more civilized, and appropriate it seemed, for this ethereal city.

Most recently, we decided to visit the city for a few days in September 2023. It was incredibly warm, but, being by the water and on the water made it seem so much more bearable! On Saturday, September 2, we were treated to an airshow – PAN – Frecce Tricolori  National Aerobatic Team of the Italian Air Force flew over the beach and the town of Lido di Jesolo (Venice area) – and came flying up the Grand Canal several times while we stood in awe on the lido of the Guggenheim museum. Absolutely stunning and a great time!

Observations

Venice with its maze of waterways, alleys, and walkways is full of mystery and old world grandeur. The grand palazzos of previous forefathers line the waterways, and encourage nostalgia as well as a desire to see within their walls. Alas, many are still private homes or flats, and others are exclusive boutique hotels.

Both visits were spent wandering and getting lost – a good thing here as you can always find the water and find your way back. Comfortable walking shoes and water, and a willingness to be surprised are all you need!

Recommendations

Eat:

So many amazing restaurants to choose from! Osteria San Marco Venezia was close to our hotel, and served some lovely seafood and pasta dishes; melting lasagna at Ristorante Florida was amazing; Cafe Florian for our mid-morning coffee and Grancaffe Quadri for our afternoon drinks, both in Piazza San Marco, were great places to watch the world go by. Afternoon and late evening drinks were excellent and lively at Bacaro Risorto – great selection of local garganega (Soave) wines, along with the requisite Veneto region bubbles – prosecco.

Accommodations:

My mother and I loved Hotel Violino D’Oro for our stay in Venice. Old world charm, with lovely gilt accents, along a canal – what more could we want?! An excellent breakfast? That was available too! September 2023 we enjoyed the modern, well presented San Zaccaria Apartment – the owners were very helpful and this central apartment is highly recommended for your stay in this beautiful city.

Activities:

So much to see and do in Venice, you will have to think about what strikes your fancy! Piazza San Marco is a good central point to start from. Lovely cafes, architecture and it teams with life! Around you: Basilica San Marco, including the Bell Tower; Palazzo Ducale for a bit of history. Wander the walkways to the Rialto Bridge for a great, classic view of the canals; move on to the first Jewish Ghetto – dating back to around 1516. If you are keen on the murano glass you see everywhere, you can take a tour to the island and watch it being made. They do tend to herd you along, but, we found it very informative and enjoyable.

In the aforementioned old palaces, you can get tickets to some opera performances. While in Venice we enjoyed an opera performance of La Traviata. Spread over 2 palatial rooms of the palace, with prosecco served, it is a very civilized and appropriate activity to enjoy in this musical city. The Peggy Guggenheim Museum is worth a good half day of wandering. Make sure to book your tickets ahead to be able to just walk in to the museum.

Shopping:

We’ve inserted this section in our travel review of Venice, as the shopping is absolutely sublime – particularly if you like purses, scarves, perfume, jewelry and blown glass. Whatever shops strike your fancy, wander in and take a look. You are bound to find something of interest that you can’t leave without!