Travel & Hotspots
VENICE DIARY
Look at what’s there and it shows you all the cool spots
Recently, I wrote a post about how damn difficult it is to choose a gift for your guy. Especially when it’s his birthday. But, I can tell you now: I scored points, you know. Last weekend I was in Venice with my boyfriend for his 29th birthday and it was quite awesome. Except for the weather, that is. But let’s not talk about that for now. Or as our sales queen Daniëlle says: “Look, it’s also really very much February, of course.” A.k.a.: beware, the crappy weather is lurking. Thursday (our first day) was still fine, so I quickly shot enough Insta-material to get through the days. Because rainy photos then feel almost like a kind of failure, I can be quite ridiculous like that.
Anyway, aside from the worse weather, the city itself is really great. Even too beautiful for a postcard. The gondolas (definitely don’t go in, because unaffordable and a bit embarrassing), the little streets, the tranquility (because there are no cars), the elegant fashion, the tiny restaurants by the water, the wine bars… Really, take me back again. And then when it’s about 25 degrees. For now, a trip on the agenda? Then these are the highlights:
1. Pizza San Marco
Quite touristy, but really the first thing you just have to check upon arrival. This square is the symbolic center of Venice, plus Instagram-worthy, in the traditional cafés play super cute orchestras AND from here you can immediately walk to my favorite architectural masterpiece: the Doge's Palace, a building with a facade you could look at for days. Definitely don’t eat nearby, because then you’ll pay top dollar again. Take a side street and it’s already half the price.
2. The Rialto Bridge
Also an important symbol of Venice where you just want to take a photo. Tip: right after arrival, take the vaporetto (the water bus) down the entire Canal Grande. It’s like you’re making an exploration along the ‘boulevard’ of the city. In the Rialto area, there are countless markets, bars, and shops to be found.
3. Murano
Everywhere in Venice, you see glasswork. And only on this island are glassblowing workshops allowed. The cool thing is that you can watch the glassblowing here (people, what an art). If you’re really into glass, you can also visit the glass museum.
4. The lively district Campo Santa Margherita
Ah, so THIS is where they let all the Italian youth. During the day a quiet neighborhood with some markets, in the evening it bursts with students bringing life to the party. Popular spots are Cafè Rosso (for the best espresso and paninis) and the red-painted wine bar Do Draghi. And if you’re getting a Venetian ice cream, then just walk over to Gelateria II Doge.
5. Burano
The Willemstad of Venice. Colored. Houses. Everywhere. Really very cool.
6. Torcello
From Burano, it’s about a five-minute boat ride to Torcello. On this small island, you’ll find the impressive cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, with thousands of colorful mosaics.
7. Mestre
Feeling a bit island-weary and need to visit the countryside? Take the bus and you’ll be in Mestre in a quarter of an hour. The lively center has a gigantic shopping street and several nice restaurants. The hotels here are about four times cheaper than in the center of Venice, so for budget travelers, it’s a top option.
Finally, a fun fact that I really have to mention and of course, I found out about this way too late: Neapolitan songs like ‘O sole mio’ are totally not appropriate in Venice. Gondoliers must leave this famous repertoire alone if they don’t want to get a fine (500 euros!!) . It may sound a bit exaggerated, but the fact is that a song like ‘O sole mio’ is just as inappropriate for the chauvinistic Venetians as singing ‘At the foot of that old Wester’ in the Achterhoek. Now you know that too.
