There is a reason why Venice is one of Italy’s most visited destinations. In fact, there are several reasons this is a captivating city that is as modern as they come, but with still the footprint of ancient waterways. The grand palaces and the old buildings rise right up from the water, and they add a timeless feel to somewhere that is so ahead of its time. Venice blends culture, art and history, along with amazing food, delicious drinks and somewhere that should be on the top of your bucket list. If you’re going to Italy, Venice needs to be a part of that trip so let’s take a look at our top reasons why you should visit Venice this year.
- To cruise around the canals. First, visit Venice. You need somewhere to store your luggage so that you can get on the smaller boats that cruise along the canals. Venice is known for its waterways, but it’s also known for the best luggage storage Venice has to offer. Venice’s most defining feature is the canals that network throughout the city and wind their way through the oldest buildings. They transport more than just people. Some of these boats transport goods and services to different places, but the best way to explore is with the traditional gondola ride. If you want to have a great experience, book a private gondola to see the city.
- See the islands. Did you know that there are over 100 islands in Venice? All of them are separated by canals and linked by bridges, which means that you may not even be aware that you are moving between different islands. There is a distinct character attached to every single island, and you get something new to see and do with everyone, whether you move around by boat or water bus. You can even charter or water taxi. Heading to Murano, you’ll see the glassmaking tradition that dates back more than 700 years. You can watch Craftsman in action and take those glass creations home. For something completely different, you can go to Lido and enjoy a day at the beach. The sandbar stretches 11 kilometers and is known for hosting the Venice Film Festival.
- Head to the carnival. One of the best reasons to visit Venice is the annual Carnevale, one of the world’s most famous carnivals. It goes back 900 years when citizens celebrated the end of winter with a huge street party. Every year, the dates change, so make sure you look it up first before you go. However, you usually will find it takes place in the two weeks that lead up to the start of Lent. The original blue masks are common, and wearing them makes festivalgoers completely anonymous. It’s an incredible thing to visit, and the grand opening in Saint Mark’s Square kicks things off with performances and parades. You’ll be able to see live music, theater performances, costume competitions, and more.
- The food. You are in Italy; if you’re not tasting new food daily, that’s brand new. What are you doing? The Adriatic Sea, and thanks to its location, is an essential trading empire, which means that Venice is offering a distinctive, interesting cuisine to everybody who visits. There is amazing access to spices from ginger and nutmeg to saffron and unsurprisingly, seafood is dominating the menu in Venice. There are all sorts of dishes that you can try, from crostinis to polpette. You’ll be able to taste the sweetness and tartness of the food on offer and make sure you try some purely Venetian street food while you’re there.
- Take in some of the art. The ornate ceiling in Doges Palace It’s just one place to visit when you go to Venice. Venice itself is a treasure trove for art, and you’ll find everything from Renaissance paintings to 20th-century pieces that remain iconic in the art world. Galleries and museums are abundant, and the Scuola Grande San Rocco is a great place to start if you look to sightsee. If you like modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection showcases European and American art from around the 20th century. You’ll be able to see Pollock and Kandinsky pieces along with Picasso.
If you’re not booking Venice this year, you are missing out, so make sure you get your booking ASAP.
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