Where to go and what to see in Venice

'VENDI

VIDI

AMAVI'

'We came. We Saw. We loved.'

Venice. Where do I start? My partner and I fancied a little trip away. Pretty much everywhere is on my list and I'm terrible at making decisions so I left it down to him. So, I woke up in the morning and he'd booked Venice!

Pretty view of gondolas while having a well deserved rest break in Venice, Italy

Venice really is a beautiful place...and definitely romantic! One thing that struck me was just how qwerky it was. I loved the petite alleyways and the pretty little bridges connecting the maze of canals. It was crazy how far we walked just exploring. But funnily enough, that was one thing I enjoyed the most. (Well, maybe not the aching feet at the end of the day, that was definitely a lesson learnt....comfy shoes are a must over fashion this time.) So yes, definitely just take your time exploring those back alleys...because that's where you will find those beautiful, secluded and off-the-beaten-track places. 

Another thing you have to do when you go to Venice is to have a gondola ride of course. It is expensive, but it's worth it. We paid around €80 for around half an hour ride...so just make sure you take the cost of the gondola ride into consideration when planning how much spending money to take. It is a really romantic thing to do, you get to explore Venice and the maze of mysterious canals surrounding you from the water and get to see things you wouldn't do from just foot. 

Views from one of the many bridges in Venice

The food. Italian food is insane. I love pizza and pasta. I've had some pretty good spag bols or lasagnes in my time, but they were actually insanely better out here. Therefore be ready to pile on a few pounds and make the most of the nutella crepes, fresh pasta, irrisisble smell of doughy handmade pizzas and delicious patisseries Venice has to offer. One night I accidentally ordered a 24 inch pizza...safe to say we were eating it for days and I was a little sick of the sight of pizza after that.

Pizza and Pasta...my favourite!

For some meals we decided to buy food to take out. This way we could find beautiful secluded spots to much away by the canal and not see a person in sight. Perfect! Despite being a tourist myself I do find it a little overwhelming being surrounded by people constantly, so it's nice to have a bit of peace and quiet. More romantic too!

Snacks sitting on the water's edge of the Grande Canal, Venice

St Mark's square is a must-go. The Palace is located in St Mark's square and it is so unbelievably beautiful...the photos just don't do it justice at all. We didn't go inside as we weren't particularly interested in history, things that look pretty will do me! So just looking at it from the outside was enough for me. Also in St Mark's square is the Bell Tower. Going up the tower is a great way of seeing views of Venice, which I would 100% recommend as the views were incredible.

Views from the Belltower, St Marks Square, Venice

Dodge's palace, St Mark's Square, Venice

On the water's edge, St Mark's Square, Venice

As there are no roads for cars or motorbikes in Venice, most people get around via boat, therefore either a waterbus or a private taxi. Private taxi was definitely a no go for us because we didn't take enough spending money to cater for that, so the water bus it was! You can buy day tickets which allow you to travel in particular zones as much as you like for that day. We decided to visit Murano and Burano island via water bus.

Views from the water bus on the way to Murano island, Italy

Murano is famous for its pretty glass which is still handmade in furnaces on the island today. It is pretty similr to Venice but there's more glass shops and little cafes. We only stayed for an hour or so to have a look around and then caught the water bus to Burano.

Vines on Murano island, Italy

Looking out to sea on Murano island, Italy

Burano island was so beautiful. It was full of streets and rows of different coloured houses...it reminded me of the children's T.V programme Balamory (although it was obviously way more charming than there).

Pretty fishermen cottages on Burano island, Italy

Like Venice, Burano is filled with bridges over canals and alleys waiting for you to explore. Burano island is famous for their lace, so many shops over there are filled with different clothes, curtains or tablecloths with different delicate designs. So again, like Murano island had a little stroll around for an hour or so then ate crepes by the canal. As you can tell we ate really healthily while in Italy...!!

Crepes by the canal on Burano island, Italy

Another place that has to be on your 'to-do list' should be visiting the Rialto bridge. This is a famous bridge which connects the streets across the Grande Canal. The views are amazing! It can get quite busy with tourists so its best to visit early in the morning if you want a good photo and views. It's so interesting to watch the hustle and bustle of boats go by; quite different to our hectic-ness of being stuck in traffic jams and traffic lights in rush hour traffic.

View from the Rialto bridge, Venice

One of my favourite areas in Venice is Castello. We actually came across it by accident by just continuously walking over bridges and alleyways. You never know what your going to come across next! We found a crazy old Italian bookshop called Liberia Aqua Alta Di Frizzo Luigi , where the books were stored in unused gondolas and hung in baskets outside.

Pretending I can read Italian in the crazy bookshop, Liberia Aqua Alta Di Frizzo Luigi

At the back of the bookshop they have created stairs made out of books! It's a really clever idea and it looked impressive-a work of art. Something a little different that I would recommend seeing!

Sitting on the bookcase stairs in Liberia Aqua Alta Frizzo Luigi

The colourful backstreets of Castello, Venice

Castello, Venice

Castello, Venice

I'm one of those people that loves to do plenty of research before I visit somewhere. It does take time but I definitely think it's worth it. I would be gutted if I had visited somewhere and missed something I would really have liked to have seen...but then again it does give a good enough excuse to go again!

But what I have also realised that sometimes just doing nothing and taking in every little thing around you, every smell, the scenery, the sunshine, the culture....the little thing's in life are sweet enough.

'Dolce far niente' 

'The sweetness of doing nothing' 

Laura

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