Venice, capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a marshy lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Here you will not find streets or traffic………there are no cars only flowing canals and boats. Venice is a charming place full of beauty, history, magic and romance. And with so many of the top tourist attractions in Europe there are so many things to do and see.
The San Marco District is not only a top tourist destination, it also is easy to navigate and centrally located.
St. Mark’s Square, along with the Clocktower, is the focal point of Venice and also home to many historic buildings and museums.
St. Mark’s
Start off with a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica, the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, Northern Italy. It is the most famous of the city’s churches and one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to the Doge’s Palace.
Continue on to Doge’s Palace, A masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The Doge’s Palace is an impressive structure composed of layers of building elements and ornamentation.
The Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio) was built in the late 15th century, and the entire face of the tower is heavily decorated. The clock face features the 12 signs of the zodiac in a circle around the clock hand, and the 24 hours of the day are engraved in a circle around the golden zodiac signs. It is a 24 hour clock and only needs one hand.
Venice Districts
The Cannaregio District is located on the northern shore of Venice and it’s one of Venice’s top historical districts. Two must see attractions here are the:
Ca’ d’Oro Palace, which houses a small art museum and the Oratorio Crociferi, which houses beautiful 16th century paintings and artifacts such as the clothing worn by nobles of that time period.
Santa Croce and San Polo are two of the most enjoyable districts in Venice to explore. This is the perfect place to take a stroll, the large, open spaces, small squares and narrow streets bursting with charm make this area easy to navigate on foot. There are no shortage of outdoor markets and food stalls making this the perfect place to purchase souvenirs, shop and have lunch. After lunch stroll by the oldest church in Venice, the San Giacomo church. Then continue on to the Rialto Bridge, considered by many to be a “magical place”. The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo.
The best time to visit Venice is from September to November, when it is the least crowded. November’s temperatures range from the upper 30s to the lower 50s, which may mean dressing a bit warmer, but the lower rates and tourist free areas are worth it.
Winters in Venice tend to be cold and summers crowded, hot and more expensive. For the best weather,
spring is a beautiful season in Venice. It’s when the city defrosts — high average temperature rise from the lower 50s in March to the lower 70s in May. But no matter when you visit, don’t forget to bring a camera and enjoy this beautiful city.
The Beauty of Venice
Venice has by far the most beautiful urban landscape of anywhere I’ve seen. And it’s really like no place on Earth. The fact that it’s sinking is unfortunate but they’ve been dealing with that for hundreds of years. I’m sure they will continue to find ways to keep the city looking the way that it does without going underwater. It does tend to flood quite a bit these days. When were there last a lot of the stores have sandbags in front of them to block the water when it gets too high. Sometimes you find yourself walking in three to four inches of water because there’s just no other choice.
Still it is a beautiful city and very unique. Local authorities are trying to limit tourists because even though it is a tourist destination, they are getting in the way of normal city operations. But with COVID That really hasn’t been an issue. There’s been so few boats that they’ve actually had dolphins in the canals. One of the things that I learned while I was in Venice was that there is a major difference between northern and southern Italian cuisine.
Dining in Venice Italy
Most of us think of Italian food as pasta, marinara and lasagna and things like that. Those are southern dishes. I made the mistake of while in a restaurant in Venice of ordering lasagna. And I was told, “No, you can’t have that”. And so I said okay. I was told I would be having something that is local like seafood from the region. So I told the waiter that he could decide. I’m usually pretty adventurous, and they brought me squid ink pasta in an anchovy paste sauce, which was actually really delicious. But it was kind of like trying to eat a one pound bag of m&ms all at once. It’s good up to a point, and then it just too much. I don’t think we brought it back to the hotel as leftovers, because it was just a little overpowering. Not something you want to eat twice in the same week.
Activities
Venice, Italy is a city unlike any other, with its canals, bridges, and stunning architecture. If you only have one day to spend in Venice, here are some top things to do:
Take a gondola ride. A gondola ride is a quintessential Venice experience. You’ll glide along the canals and get a unique perspective on the city.
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica. St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most famous landmarks in Venice, with its beautiful mosaics and ornate architecture.
Explore the Doge’s Palace. The Doge’s Palace was the residence of the Doge, the ruler of Venice, and it’s now a museum. You’ll find stunning artwork, historic artifacts, and beautiful architecture.
Wander through the streets of Venice. Venice is a city that’s meant to be explored on foot. Wander through the narrow streets, cross the bridges, and discover hidden squares and landmarks.
Try some Venetian cuisine. Venetian cuisine is influenced by the city’s location on the water, with lots of seafood and fresh ingredients. Be sure to try some cicchetti, which are small, savory snacks that are popular in Venice.
