VENICE DESTINATION GUIDE – ‘The Floating City’
Venice is often regarded as “the most beautiful city built by man.” There is truly no other place in the world quite like it. The city features ancient bridges spanning a network of canals, charming gondolas, and the unique architecture of 16th and 17th-century palaces and piazzas. Visitors can enjoy luxurious hotels that can be reached by vaporetto (water taxi). The Venice Film Festival is held annually, and the city is well-known for its captivating Carnival of Venice. It’s no surprise that Venice is a popular destination for city breaks year-round, located on the northeastern side of Italy. There’s plenty to see for those who feel energetic, but you can also relax with a freshly brewed espresso at a café in the piazza and watch the world go by.
Venice Carnival
The Carnival of Venice is an annual event that begins two weeks before Ash Wednesday and concludes on Shrove Tuesday. This tradition dates back to the early 13th century and is believed to have originated from the practice of wearing masks, which allowed citizens to interact freely across different social classes without the fear of being judged. Oscar Wilde famously said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask and he’ll tell you the truth.” This idea appears to be uniquely Venetian and may reflect the fundamental essence of dressing up for the occasion. During the Carnival, there are traditionally several types of masks worn, with different styles associated with various occupations.
Gondola Ride
Get around in a gondola – no trip to Venice would be complete without one and take a tour of The Grand Canal which is a unique and spectacular sight.
St Mark’s Square, Venice
See three major sights in one square – St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Torre dell’Orologio.
St Mark’s Campanile
Get a great view of Venice – at 325ft the Campamile is the city’s tallest building – take the lift and get a great view. (Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III rode a horse to the top of the original building in 1451).
Harry’s Bar, Venice
Harry’s Bar has a rich history and is renowned for its Bellinis. It was opened on May 13, 1931, and named after Harry Pickering, who provided Giuseppe Cipriani with the funds to start his own bar after Cipriani had previously lent Harry money when he was in financial trouble. At that time, Cipriani was a young waiter with aspirations of creating a bar for “high society,” as Venice was a favored destination for European aristocracy. Notable visitors to Harry’s Bar include Noel Coward, Charlie Chaplin, King Paul of Greece, Orson Welles, and Ernest Hemingway.
Gelato
Cool off with tasty gelato. Italy is renowned for its gelato, but most Venetians agree that some of the best gelato is served at Boutique del Gelato, a small, busy shop on Salizzada San Lio.
Useful Information
Flight Information – British Airways flights depart from London Heathrow to Venice. UK and Regional departures and charter flights available.
Flight time is 2 hours 10 minutes from London Heathrow to Marco Polo Venice airport.
Time difference is +1 hour from UK.
Climate – during July and August Venice can get extremely hot and humid with the occasional thunderstorm. From March to June, you may enjoy clear days and warm weather, while September and October are generally pleasant.
