The Great Pleasures of Venice, Italy

ABOUT THIS GUEST POST: Ahh, Venice. The canals. The gondolas. The buildings. The filming locations from Moonraker: James Bond‘s mission in 1979! It’s one of the most romantic places on earth and the subject of Aleix’s weekly guest post.

Venice is a city that’s so special that you have to treat yourself to all the delights that the city has to offer. There is no point in going to Venice and not ‘doing it’ properly, the city is an experience in itself and one that all travelers should do in their lifetime.

The first thing you need to know about Venice is that it’s as spectacular as it its beautiful although all of this comes at a price. Venice isn’t the cheapest of cities but, like everywhere, there are places where you can go and not spend a fortune in the tourist traps.

However, there are some places that you cannot miss, no matter the price, because they are unique in the world and going to Venice, Italy, and not seeing them or doing them is a crime. So that you don’t miss out on the most important things during your stay in Venice apartments, here they are.

Vaporetto

Yes, Venice is a city that must be seen by foot but there really is nothing like a trip on the Vaporetto down the Grand Canal. If you find yourself in Santa Croce, by the train station in the north of the city, and you have to get to la Salute or the Dorsoduro.

The walk through San Polo and San Marco can take a while, considering that it’s the most packed tourist area. So why not jump on the vaporetto and do the journey in 30 minutes? Make sure you sit at the back of the boat, where you’re in the open air and you can enjoy the breeze and the sights without having a window in between.

Murano

Murano is an island north of Venice that’s famous for its glass. [ed, like Venini Glass, one of the filming locations in Moonraker] There you can buy the most amazing items made with authentic Murano glass that you can use as accessories or decoration.

Yes, the island is a bit touristy but the landscape and the items you can buy there make it completely worth it, as well as a visit to the Glass Museum (Museo del vetro). You can get there on a vaporetto from Canareggio and get there in no time.

Take a Gondola Ride

Possibly Venice’s biggest cliché, but still one that has to be ticked off the bucket list. The price for a gondola ride is steep, 80€, and it’s a standard price. Haggling for a gondola ride is only acceptable when there’s bad weather or if you’re a large group.

If you’re just a couple, the gondoliero won’t accept it. A tip for the gondola ride is to find one that goes around the small and quiet canals, rather than some that sometimes venture into bigger canals. The ones in San Marco are highly recommended.

Caffè Florian
The biggest extravagance in Venice but one that’s worth it. Delve into the luxury of Caffè Florian, in San Marco’s Square. Its prices are very high but see it as a treat. The drinks and food there are simply delicious and when accompanied by the live classical music being played outside, it’s just a dream. The waiters in impeccable suits serve the food and drinks on a silver platter. Treat yourself to Caffè Florian and feel like a king or queen!

Cicchetti

The cicchetti are the Venetian form of tapas. These little snacks or side dishes are typical of Venice and they are served in most restaurants or bàcari, which are typical Venetian bars that specialise in this.

The cicchetti are usually small sandwiches, fried fish or croquettes, or vegetables, which are usually eaten before lunch or dinner to kill hunger. The best place for cicchetti in the whole of Venice is Al Mercà, on Campo Cesare Battisti, just off the Rialto Bridge in San Polo.

Enjoy the city as a whole when you rent apartments in Venice. In Venice, there is no choosing between one thing or the other, you must do everything to be able to say that you’ve sampled the true Venetian experience. Words cannot do justice to the beauty of this city.

About the Author: Aleix Gwilliam is a 24 year old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.