Venice Travel Guide
Where to Stay:
Venice is a great place to visit for families and single travelers alike, but if you’re looking for a truly romantic destination, this is your city. There are lovely lodging options that look fabulous for couples! The Novecento Boutique Hotel as well as the Cima Rosa Bed & Breakfast are oh-so charming and perfect for two. For a major occasion or celebration when you want to really treat yourself, the St. Regis Venice and Aman Venice would also be unforgettable.
Photo via Novecento Boutique Hotel
Image via Aman Hotel
Image via Food & Wine of St. Regis
Where to Eat & Drink:
There’s no shortage of fantastic restaurants in Venice, but there’s a few that really impressed me and my family when we were on the island. Trattoria Dona Onesta is spectacular for their homemade Venetian dishes and seafood, I highly recommend. Bacaro Vintidò 22 feels like a secret local spot that we were fortunate enough to discover! There’s a small open kitchen and live music that accompanies your can’t-miss dining experience. Featuring an over-water terrace for dining with a view, Ristorante Lineadombra is another special restaurant you won’t want to miss. Set above the Venetian lagoon, their terrace dining serves modern Venetian cuisine for a romantic night out you’ll always remember.
Where to Shop:
If you’re a Golden Goose fan like I am, then their Venezia store should be a definite stop on your list! They have a bar where you can customize your own Golden Goose sneakers which is especially fun. Outfit your one-of-a-kind shoes with stones, hand painting, studs and more. P.za San Marco is full of all of the best luxury shops - complete with Etro, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, and everything in between. The shops are small and have some exclusive items that can only be bought in Venice so if you are in the market for something special, this is a great place to do some luxury shopping. Be prepared to wait to enter, and a concierge will assign you someone to help you if you are intent on making a purchase. Finally, Piedàterre is another infamous footwear destination that’s quintessential Venice. Crafters of the“Friulane” slippers, this shop is a must if you’re looking for an authentic souvenir.
What to do:
Doge's Palace: A gothic-style landmark in the city, Doge’s Palace is a remarkable sight to see during your trip. The palace was the residence of the supreme authority of the former Republic, making it a great tour through history.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Peggy Guggenheim collected a large body of work upon receiving her inheritance, buying a painting every day. We saw her collection of surrealist art on display and it was some of the most unique and interesting I have ever seen under one roof. I highly recommend visiting.
Venice Biennale: I loved seeing satellite shows of the Biennale throughout the city. Marlene Dumas and Chun Kwang Young's exhibitions this year were incredible! It was so neat being able to experience the shows throughout different venues in the city, one of them being the Arsenal. We got to take a boat over and spend the day looking at modern art. I was surprised at how vast the exhibition area was, it was full of different buildings for each country. It was great to see how the artists approached the theme of this Biennale year through their different backgrounds and cultural crafts.
Arcobaleno Pigmenti: Exploring the art supply shops in the city was such a cool part of our trip. I suggest stopping in Arcobaleno Pigmenti to view their beautiful pigment colors.
Burano: This brightly colored island was originally painted so vividly so sailors would see it coming! It’s super popular for snapping Instagram pics, so be sure to make it a must on your itinerary if you’re looking for the perfect photo.
Tips:
When arriving it’s best to book a private speed boat to take you directly to your accommodation - you’ll zip through the water very quickly and you can sit back, relax and enjoy the breeze as you are whisked to your hotel by one of the many very fashionable speed boat drivers. Make reservations in advance! The water taxis are a little confusing to navigate - but are a great way to save yourself some walking since there are no cars or motor vehicles on the island.
It can get very warm in Venice and there is a lot of walking to do up and over the canals so comfortable footwear is a must, and dressing chic and breezy is the best way to go. Bold printed linen caftans, and a cross body bag with some comfortable sandals or slides, and of course some sunglasses or a hat for some shade is the easiest way to dress for the location.
I also recommend planning plenty of time to stop and have a drink or snack in the various plazas and enjoy the people watching and beautiful architecture. The food is very good everywhere so it’s hard to go wrong - there are lots of restaurants along the water and it’s enjoyable to sit and watch the boats coming and going.
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