How to enjoy the best of Venice

Nevada, Las Vegas - Report by Mia. Today, we will give information about How to enjoy the best of Venice .

have you ever dreamed to go to Venice? Is the city of canals and singing gondoliers on the list go? Or maybe you have a trip booked and is way it this year?

one of my dear friends getting ready to take his first trip to Venice. I wanted to make sure she does not miss out on something so I started to make her a list of things to see and do in this most magnificent city. The list grew and grew, and then more people wanted to see it, so finally I turned it in a blogpost so that everyone can share the love I feel for this city on the water.
Buon viaggio Dani!

Venice is so Moody in the rain

Venice is to eat a whole box of chocolate liqueurs

at one time.

Truman Capote

Venice, September 2014

nothing but nothing prepares you for the first overwhelming glimpse of Venice. 
to quote Marlena de Blasi [2] ~ you do not know where to place your eyes.

explore the canals of Venice, 2012.

the Visual impact of this city is waterbound staggering. No matter how many pictures you have seen, or how well you think you know her, that first moment takes my breath away. 
each. Easily. Time.

all over the place you put your eyes you magic. I love Venice.

a short time after the sounds, smells and tastes weave into your consciousness, and once she has you under the spell her moody, sultry. 

she is complex, exceedingly beautiful, mysterious, and perhaps the most unique city in the world.

Venice is also the perfect place to travel alone. It is one of the safest cities to walk around at night, in fact, violent crime is virtually unknown here.

you feel safe walking around Venice, day or night.

but Venice can also be the ultimate tourist trap if you don't know what you are doing.
with the fleets of cruise ships not just mauling the lagoon and blighting the horizon, disgorging thousands of tourists but for its kodak half day Venetian experience, you can easily find yourself in a mall-crush, overpriced, kitchy, waterlogged tourist hell.

between 13 and 14 million people visit Venice each year, of which 80% are in the city on 8 hours or less, and 90% of them head directly to Saint Mark's square . The average ship tour is 3 hours long and includes a 30-minute gondola ride along with photo opportunities out of of the main attractions at Piazza San Marco imiting tourists ' experience of Venice to a postcard image.

as such the area in and around San Marco is full of vendors selling junky souvenirs made in China, and overpriced food.
to sit in a coffee shop on the square and drink a coffee you pay around 15 to 20 euros-12 euro to be seated and up to 8 euros for a coffee.

step from the madding crowds and you can have the streets to yourself ...

a 5-minute walk from St. marks Square in Venice will be your own. She is beautiful in the rain.
Corinna BS world Glam Italy Tour 2014

and yet if you dare you 5 minutes in all directions from the Piazza san Marco you will find a whole new world. One where you can take coffee for 1 euro, one of the few tourists. This is the magic of Venice you must explore and become well known with the

but you can not go to Venice and not see Piazza San Marco. Plan to get it out of the way quickly, and then move on. There is so much more to see and do in this wonderful city.

of pigeons and wedding ... St. Mark's square 2014, Corinna B Glam Italy world tour

I want to die a pigeon landed on me!
#notafan.
other love it even

get to St. Mark's square early. 
you must experience the Piazza San Marco, the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale). The problem is if you are there with the teeming masses you don't really get to experience it either.
the key is to get there early. Or late. I always think before 9 am (found at 8 If you can!) and after 5 when the tourists are not around in such force. 
review Saint Mark's square when it is just no round is pure magic. I love it when in restaurants of the piazza just set for today's business, or when the blue hour hits and the crowd is thinning, you and winds its way along the suck it all in.

on St. Mark's square you have to visit the Basilica of San Marco . This is the spiritual heart of Venice, as well as being one of the world's finest medieval buildings.
the Basilica of present (3 is being built on this site) was built between 1063 and 1094.
the dimly lit interiors can be quite daunting. Built in the shape of the Greek cross, there are five parts topped with 1000 century domes. The walls and domes covered in mosaics. 4000sq m/430, 500 sq ft of mosaic work, completed over a 600 years. The gold alone will stop you in your tracks. 
do your best to get there before the crowd.

the mosaics in the Basilica of San Marco, Venice
Corinna BS world Glam Italy Tour 2014

the mosaics in the Basilica of San Marco will take your breath away.
picture from Corinna BS world Glam Italy Tour 2014

The Campanile sitting at the Basilica. On a clear day you can see forever from the top of the Campanile and get a great feeling for Venice, but on a misty day the view is limited, and perhaps not worth the climb.
either way, if you are planning a trip to the top make it before 9 am to avoid the tourist Madness (and endlessly long lines).

I saw these lovers get shelter from the rain outside the Doge's Palace, and certain lovers, long dresses and rain is perfect in Vehyggelig

"might not even get to know Venice as they remember her, remember her from an episode in some other dreams.
Venice is all of our fantasies. "
~ Di Blasi [2]

take an audio tour of the the Doge's Palace Palace/Palazzo Ducale , one of the most amazing palaces all over Europe oppulent. Centuries was the heart of Venice world trade and richest city in the world. As such, the home of their leader (The Doge), and the Government has had to have an awe inspiring impact on all who came here.
you'll see more of this Palace than most of the palaces in Europe. Go up the Golden stairs to the Doge's Palace apartments, winds its way along the incredibly ornate times each is engaging in recently, and try to catch your breath while looking beyond up Tintoretto's The triumph of Venice on the ceiling of the Sala del Senato. 

the triumph of Venice, the Senate room of the Doge's Palace, Venice

beyond this will see the armory, court rooms and over of sighs (Ponte dei Sodpiri) to the prison and torture chambers.
Note: it is an amazing 75-minute secret itinerary tour the Palace that gives you insight into the inner workings of this secretive Government, which is well worth taking. Tour English take place at 10.30 in the morning, and you need to book in advance

OK, now that that's done, don't have to explore.

the following constitutes a list of great things to do and see, in no particular order.

you must check out all the links I have put into this giant post. That's the whole posts on each of my favorite places in Venice in this main story. There are some wonderful information and so many things you absolutely do not want to Miss!

view from a bridge, Venice 2012

get bearings:
first let us understand Venice. Venice is a series of 117 Islands that are connected by a network of canals and bridges, divided up into 6 neighborhoods or sestieri. Cannaregio, Castello, San Marco, Santa Croce and San Polo, Dorsoduro and Guidecca and Islands of the lagoon.
buy a map or a guide book to navigate you through the siestri so you don't miss out on the magic.
the from Rialto in San Polo to the St. Mark's square is by far the busiest, and in my opinion, the section that you spend the least time.
at the bottom of this post I have links to my blog post on my favorite sestiero,
Dorsoduro , trips to lagoon islands , the wonderful palaces Ca D'oro and About dei Frari.

everywhere you look there is something magical! Get away from the main tourist areas and explore Venice.

get lost in Venice
all do. And getting lost in Venice winds its way along the smaller canals and cross the endless small bridges is just one of the most beautiful experiences you can. If she's asked you in the Sun or dousing you in the rain she is spectacular everywhere, and those moments of lost in her leave you feeling like you have found your own private, very magical Venice.

I'm getting lost in Venice all the time. And that's when I find the best things.
a place in Venice, 2013

the city is quite small, so you really will find as lost. I have found that my biggest discovery in Italy and in Venice have happened when I have somehow been lost.

what to eat
Venice is a city on the sea food. Despite the lagoon get churned up by infinity cruise ship traffic, it is still full of fish, as well as all seafood gleaned from the area in the Adriatic.
A go through the Rialto market (in San Polo-you can't miss it!) will show you a dazzling variety of sea food, something you've probably never seen or tasted before. Local restauranteurs hosted store here, so you preview what to eat later in the day. You will also find an incredible array of spices in the mercado, has made the road here centuries ago dating back to the spice trade. * Spices from asia and North Africa access to the rest of the world through the world trade center, Venice. *
try fritto Misto di , a blend of deep fried squid, squid and King prawns. In contrast to the heavy, greasy deep fried sea food you are used to, Venetian chefs are great light handed down, create a divine Misto which does not weigh you down.

the Venetians is also hailed for their cakes and pastries. Go up to the bar at a café, order a caffe (espresso to Italians) and enjoy a baicoli or a , busolai some local light biscuits/cookies.

Venetian cakes and cookies

one of the most fun ways to eat in Venice is to go bacari jumps.
A bacaro is a bar. Stop in the local drink, prosecco, and couple that with a tapas as a snack known as cicheti . These are small finger food, perfect with a light drink. If you are like me, a total easily when it comes to drinking, you can order an ombra (shadow) or less to taste wine. I find that by stopping here and there for the cicheti I wind up eating far less than if I am stop for meals. Plus it's much more fun, especially in the early evening when the local people are out and about, stopping to socialize on the way home. 

another thing you will see is people with the sunset colored drinks, normally red or orange. This is the famous Venetian spritz. White wine with a splash of campari (red) or my favorite, with Aperol (orange). The most beautiful way to end the day and welcome the early evening is to sit outside a bacaro with a spritz and a snack and watch the world go by. Avoid Piazza San Marco (as it will cost the same as your car payment!) rather than head into the other parts of the city, like Cannaregio, and join the locals. The people watching is a lot more fun here! Read more about it in my post on the Ca ' D'oro ( linked here )

Aperol Spritz and people see in Cannaregio at the end of the day

night life
surprising Venice is quiet at night. Most of the tourists are just the other day a few hours so the streets empty out quickly. Local people head back home and everything is quiet. 
If you're looking for fun night head to Campo Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro beautiful. This square is full of bars and restaurants, and is also inhabited by studeprivate items from the nearby University. This is where everyone goes, and it's fun! Read more about Campo Santa Margherita and the beautiful San Marco in this separate blogpost ( linked here ). 
the Dorsoduro is my favorite part of Venice and I have some good information about it for you.
the other major area for nightlife in Venice's Rialto. The daytime market disappear and fun bar scene takes it's place.

Santa Maria della Salute from the vaporetto in 2012.
I can see on her 100 times a day, and she will still take the breath away every time.

buy a day pass and multi day pass for Vaporetto . These ferry-like water buses should be your main means of transport. Be careful with the water taxi-they are super expensive.

things you see from Venice vaporetto 2012 ~

make your own water shuttle Tour of The Grand Canal
I love to take a little trip along the Grand Canal vaporetto later in the day , starting at the train station and work backwards tow ards San Marco. I'm starting at the train station because all of the other goes in the opposite direction, comes home from work, on the way back to c ruise ship or way out of town on the train for a day visit. They're going to be in the human crush, on the other hand, I do not get hindered from the front view of the boat or in a window seat. With a guidebook in hand, or Rick Steves ' amazing podcast ( I actually recommend this ) learn the stories behind the palaces along the Grand Canal.

view from the vaporetto on the Grand Canal in Venice, 2012

I have often had the amazing luck to find myself sitting next to a retired local that has given me a running comment to what we see , and has told me stories about the history behind the brilliant different Sison along the way. The stories I've never seen in the guide books. That of course only adds a layer of magic to the experience!

Ca ' D'oro

magnificent Ca D'oro in Venice

Venice is full of incredible Sison (Castle). They line up along the Grand Canal in all its glory. In fact, they are everywhere, but there is something so amazing about seeing them along the banks of the Grand Canal. I sincerely recommend reading up on some of them before you arrive, and to go visit them.
one of my personal favorites is Ca ' D'oro in the Cannaregio. I visit Ca ' D'oro (the Golden House) every time i'm in Venice, and because I have so much to tell you about it, I have written is there own blogpost related here . Make sure that you take the time to read this separate post as it is full of great information, and tells you a little bit about Cannaregio too!


the blue hour

if I could give you Venice for an hour, it would be this time

~ The Blasi [2]

on the small home made private guided tour of the Grand Canal, keep an eye out for where you want to be in the blue hour. The blue hour is this magical time just after sunset when the natural light and artificial light blend together creates a dramatic effect that makes the world blue. Venice is one of the most amazing places in the world to photograph the blue hour-the network of channels and spectacularly beautiful buildings make it ridiculously photogenic. Blue hour only really lasts about 20-30 minutes to plan out where you want to shoot it, and allow yourself time to get there.
check the photographer Jeff Bell blogpost blue hour in Venice ( Click here ) his photos will inspire you! This is one of Jeff's blue hour photos below:

blue hour in Venice captured by photographer Jeff Bell.
check out his blogpost linked above.

go That Night
I listened to a podcast recently where the gentleman was talking about getting up and walking around Venice in 3. At the time the streets are empty, the fog rolling in, bathing her in mystery, and you can walk unhindered, feel the city, photographing everything with no one in the way. I do not I necessarily stands up on the 3, but I love Venice at night. Remember, there is almost no violent crime, so you feel safe, as well as some self indulgent, walking around having this incredible place all to yourself. A few times a day the crush blocks of the tourist amount of your ability to feel the Venice and her story. At night when she is all yours, you can literally feel the last seeps from her walls. If you have studied up on some of the history behind the various Sison you can almost hear the opulent from the 1700-century parties going on inside. Or maybe it's just the prosecco are talking ... 

my love of Venice is made up of far too much information to put in a single blogpost, so I extended the different parts of this post to their own little stories.
read more about the beautiful San Marco here
read more about the lagoon islands here
read more about the Ca D'oro here

If you are like me and have a love affair with Venice , (or think you might have one if you go there), you must read 1000 days in Venice with Marlena Di Blasi [2]. 

If you enjoyed this post and it's sub post, please share it with your friends who may be interested in traveling to Venice and social media.
you can follow me on Instagram here @Corinnamakeup
I have a Italy travel Board agonized rest here
and I am on facebook here
most of these images are my own , from my various trips to Venice with the years. May not use them without my written permission.

Ciao! XO

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