Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and easily the most romantic cities in Italy. I know Paris is well-known for being ‘the romantic city’ but don’t be fooled, Venice easily rivals Paris for this title. Plus it has amazing ice creams so for me.
It absolutely wins! 🙂
Venice is so much more than this of course though after even just a few hours in Venice, this is one of the things that struck me the most. It’s idyllic, strangely busy yet calming, full of energy and a constant contrast between loud busy streets and quiet desolate walkways.
There’s just something about Venice that captures you and it’s so easy to see why people come back for more over and over again.
Here’s how we spent our long-weekend across Venice.
1.) Taking random photos when you get in
Doesn’t even matter what you’re taking photos of -take in the sights as soon as you arrive and take some photos to help seal this memory
2.) Looking for gelatos
Ignore everything else and find the nearest gelato shop! Forgotten to take a photo (like I did), that’s okay, you’ve now got an excuse to get more ice creams later on for the mandatory ice cream photos! 🙂 Hehehe!
3.) Check out the Venetian masks
Oh, yeah, and get yourself one while you’re at it.
The really high-quality ones are reflective of the price but do shop around. As with most places, these masks are cheaper in some places than in others.
4.) Take a series of (self-indulgent) selfies!
No comment needed! 😉
5.) Getting lost in Venice
Well, preferably with a map! It’s a nice little way to see otherwise unseen parts of the city!
6.) Get the umpteenth gelato
Yeah, I’m being that greedy in Venice!
7.) Take a gondola ride across Venice
Make sure you find out what the going rate is before you go!
They will always try to charge you more than necessary so be prepared to bargain! And try not to fall asleep in the sun… (I did towards the end of it – after seeing the main sights of course).
8.) Head over to San Marco Square
to see the main sights (will do another post on these – this post is quite big enough without creating a sub-list of the landmarks and sights to see)
9.) Stop for a little lunch and Italian wines
a chance to rest your feet and finish off that nap you started in the Gondola.
10.) Checking out the Rialto Bridge
It was super busy.
11.) Watching local artists
Get a glimpse of local life in Venice and peep in on an artist making the Venetian masks
12.) Wander off to that bit across the water opposite San Marco Square… C’mon, you know you wondered how to get over to the cathedral there too!
Read more: Best things to do in Venice