A Return to Venice

We've all heard the saying "See Rome and die", implying that once you have seen Rome there is nothing left that could possibly eclipse it. Not true! There is Venice.

Once a powerful city-state grown wealthy on its trade with east and west, Venice is an utterly unique city of outstanding architecture, great art, exciting cuisine, amazing views and the worst case of rising-damp anywhere (!). Here is our way to live the dolce vita in Venice.

How To Travel
You will probably arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport. Then you could take a bus or taxi to the city, but that would be boring and you would still probably find yourself left far from your hotel. Instead take a water taxi or water bus across the lagoon and arrive in style.

What To See
The Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal is unquestionably the classic image of Venice. It's just as good as the photos suggest so take your time to gaze upon its beauty and stroll among the shops and restaurants. Look at the narrow canals and tiny footbridges just off the Grand Canal too where you will find and entirely different vibe.

Walk further into the San Polo and Cannaregio districts to find "the real Venice", the place where Venetians live. There is an abundance of reasonably-priced restaurants (as frequented by the locals), museums, palazzos and lots of little "Don't Look Now" alleyways.

Second only to the Grand Canal is St Mark's Square. This huge piazza is bounded on three sides by ornately collonaded buildings housing a mutitude of bars and restaurants. This is the place to do the traditional thing and sip a coffee while watching the world go by. On the fourth side is the Basilica of St Mark, another must-see, must-visit landmark. Strolling out from the corner of the square you will come to the waterfront, with great views across the lagoon to San Giorgio and the Lido. on your left is another must-see building, the awe-inspiring Doge's Palace.

What To Do
Of course you simply cannot visit Venice without going on a trip on a gondola. One of the best places to pick one up is by the Doge's Palace.

Venice is more than just a city and there are many other islands in the Venetian lagoon. A half-day tour by boat will take you on a visit to Murano and Burano. You can see the world-class glass blowers at work on Murano and of course you'll have a chance to stock up on some truly authentic souvenirs. Then on to Burano, a fishing village of the most vibrantly-coloured houses you will encounter anywhere.

Finally it's time to chill, so another short boat trip will take you to the Lido. Separating the lagoon from the sea, this is where Venetians come to wind down and enjoy the sandy beach.

Where To Stay
We find it just about impossible to imagine anything that could personify the spirit of Venice better than Hotel Becher. In true Venetian fashion, Hotel Becher sits right on the canal near St Mark's Square so guests can arrive by water taxi straight to the door. Inside you will find sumptuous fabrics and ornate furnishings that reflect the tradition and history of the city.

Another canalside hotel is Hotel Moresco. The flavour of the public rooms is a rich embodiment of the 19th century, with suggestions of the orient that hint at the Marco Polo era of Venetian exploration. The enclosed garden provides a pleasant surprise in a city hotel, especially in a city like Venice. This is the spot for a leisurely breakfast in summer, or indeed a leisurely anything.

If staying in the city seems a little extreme, Casa delle Rose is the answer. Situated on the Lido, it is a large apartment on the first floor of a classical Venetian house providing three bed and breakfast guest rooms. With exquisite decor and the personal attention of Stefano, it is a delightful home-from-home just a quick waterbus journey from the heart of Venice.

18 Jun 2022, 12:17