Venice: a Renaissance water world

As you arrive in the enchanting watery city of Venice you will be keen to get to grips with what it has to offer and we are here to help. Let’s first have a look at the local area and then venture into many of the delights that are available to you while you’re visiting…

Getting your Venetian bearings

There are several intriguing neighborhoods in Venice. First up is that of Giudecca; an island that you can see from Piazza San Marco and one that is easily reached by boat. It is home to two masterpieces from the architect Palladio: the Redentore church and the Zitelle church. The first was built after the end of the plague that decimated Venice in the 14th century, while the second was part of a complex of buildings that gave shelter to the young maidens called zitelle in Italian. Armeni is another place worth seeing and was one of the first centers of Armenian culture in the world. The island is very small but there is plenty to see, including the old monastery with its charming cloister and church. A lesser-known island is that of San Giorgio Maggiore. It has a decorated church that contains a monastery that was used as a military base and also a bell tower that gives you a stunning panoramic view of the lagoon. My favorite part is actually the big square in front of the church that provides you with a great view of Piazza San Marco.

The ‘must-do’ experiences of Venice

The main experiences of Venice will naturally be found by your exploration but there are certainly a few that should not be missed. Venice’s gondola rides are world famous and certainly a wonderful way to see the city. Add to that experience by having a look around the place where gondola manufacturing takes place. The shipyard of these unique boats is called a squero and the oldest one, as well as one of the few still in operation, is San Trovaso’s Squero. While there, admire the carpenters at work and learn more by joining one of the many daily tours that are on from Monday to Friday.

For a unique experience, pop down to Harry’s Bar and order a Bellini. This is a cocktail made with Prosecco wine and peach puree, and was a creation of the 1930s bar’s founder which then went on to became famous around the globe. Harry’s bar is located just a few meters from Piazza San Marco and even literary great Ernest Hemingway was a big fan of the establishment. Another experience that you can only do in Venice is seeing the master glazier at work. On the nearby island of Murano, well known for its furnaces, you can watch how the glass is blown and can peruse the vast array of original souvenirs made with authentic Murano glass before deciding which to take home with you.

A city full of art and sculptures

With all the waterways, bridges and monuments, Venice can appear in itself like an open-air museum. In terms of the specific galleries, the classic Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco stand out but there are several other museums worth getting inside. One of them is the Basilica dei Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. It is the biggest church in Venice and contains some of the finest masterpieces from the hands of Venetian painters and sculptors. Highlights in the basilica include the oil on canvas painting Assunta (The Assumption of the Virgin) by Italian Renaissance artist Titian, as well as works by Donatello. Bear in mind that due to mass in the church the museum is not open on Sunday mornings.

A few meters from the Basilica dei Frari, you will find the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, entirely decorated with the paintings of Tintoretto. Inside the Scuola Grande, I need to mention the Sala dell'Albergo because thanks to its decorated ceiling it is considered by locals as the Sistine Chapel of Venice. Another place of considerable interest is Ca' Pesaro. This 16th century palace faces the Gran Canal and contains two distinct museums. On the first floor you have the International Gallery of Modern Art that displays paintings that include several from Austrian symbolist artist, Gustav Klimt. Two floors up from there you will find an incredible collection of Japanese arms and porcelains in the Oriental Art Museum. It’s well worth checking them both out.

Shopping away from the hotspots

Venice’s main shopping area is located along the street of Mercerie, but if you are looking for something a little different, non-touristic and more traditional, you have to delve into the small shops hidden throughout the Venetian callis (the name given to the alleyways). Take a stroll through the district of San Polo and search out Ruga dei Oresei where you will find an example of ‘something different’ in Pied à Terre. They specialize in hand-made furlanes, the traditional shoes worn by gondoliers, and you can choose from a myriad of pairs made from different materials, in a variety of colors and shapes.

The Mercatino Antiquariato Campo San Maurizio is the place to go if antiques are your thing, although it will depend on the time of your visit as it only takes place five full weekends per year. Vendors from all over the Veneto region congregate here to exhibit some truly unique antiquities. The vast array of items to scrutinize and barter for can be a tiring exercise so be sure to replenish your energy levels in one of the many tapas bars around the market. You cannot leave Venice without tasting a very typical biscuit from these parts that goes by the name baicoli at the famous bakery of Nono Colussi (‘nono’ means ‘grandfather’). This generational, family-run shop offers everyday fresh products of which baicoli is a popular option. Out of interest, these treats got their name due to their resemblance in shape to sea bass, which in Italian are called baicolo.

Italian food Venice style

Talking of delicious food, the local cuisine in Venice is, unsurprisingly, mainly based on seafood, and representative dishes include risi e bisi, sarde in saor, baccalá mantecato and bigoli in salsa, just to name a few. One of the historical restaurants to try out some of these is Antico Pignolo. Known for its use of first-rate products in their dishes – that include grilled fish, homemade pasta, and delicious desserts – they remain true to the local traditions and flavors. Another recommendation of mine is Al Timon, located just behind the Jewish ghetto, and here you can breathe in the real Venetian atmosphere. Homemade cuisine across an assorted menu that will satisfy both fish and meat lovers. Of course, to make the most of visiting a city you may want to keep on the move as much as possible. To help with this stop in one of the many traditional bars known as bacaros and taste the local cicchetti. They are like appetizers, similar to Spanish tapas and they include bread bites with baccala or salami. For me, the most delicious cicchetti is found at the Bacareto da Lele on Santa Croce, a tiny bar that offers tasty snacks without breaking the budget.

Venice by night

If after a full day exploring the city you feel like a relaxing evening, then how better than to take in some live music at the Venice Jazz Club, in Dursoduro. No reservation is required so just turn up, ask for a table, and then sit back with your preferred tipple and soak up a selection of classic jazz tunes along with many of the locals. Another place where the local community will be found is Bacarando Corte dell'Orso. This bar offers a wide choice of wines and beers but also provides entertainment in the evening, with live music on Thursdays and on Sunday it turns its focus into being a piano bar. A visit to the opera in Venice is an experience that I’d advise everyone to try. The Teatro La Fenice is the foremost opera house in the city and as well as spectacular performances on the stage, the building itself is a marvel to behold. If Luiciano Pavarotti describes it as “the most beautiful theater in Italy” then they’re doing something pretty special.

A day trip from Venice

The area surrounding Venice is full of things to see, so if you have time to step away from the main attraction of the region you’ll not be short of options. I suggest you take a boat tour along the Naviglio del Brenta to enjoy the Ville Venete. This is a group of remarkable houses built by the architect Andrea Palladio and is where the Venetian nobility used to spend their summer. Every day from March to October there are organized mini cruises along the Brenta aboard the traditional Burchiello boat. The tour starts from Venice and heads in the direction of Padua. The first villa that you see is the Villa Foscari also called La Malcontenta, which looks like a temple due to the vertical columns on the façade. Another villa that will impress you there is the Villa Widman best known for its fabulous garden decorated with statues and flowers. Last, but certainly not least, is Villa Pisani, located in the small town of Stra about 30 kilometers from Venice. Upon first sight this building can leave you speechless with its exuberant exterior and the labyrinth in the gardens, while inside you will find exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art in which evidence of the 16th and 17th centuries are wonderfully preserved.

Hopefully this guide will help you make the best start possible to your trip to the enchanting city of Venice and, of course, we are here to help you if you require some more personalized reqcommendations.