Ciao, Bella! Experience the Charm of Italy’s Floating City

Visit St. Mark’s Basilica

The only square in Venice is St. Mark’s, surrounded by the beautiful architecture of the Basilica, Museo de Correr and the palace. The Basilica has an incredible history, fabled to have the remains of St. Mark. You can catch breathtaking views from the upstairs, while experiencing the immense detail that went into the intricate designs at every turn. Try to schedule your visit around 11 am, they turn on the lights to the gold dome on the interior for only one hour a day from 11 am -noon. As a friendly reminder, though, be sure to wear clothing that covers both shoulders and knees.

Visit the Doge’s Palace

Venice might have had the right idea regarding how they elected their government officials — rotating them in and out of office rather quickly. The position of Doge, however, was for life. I won’t give any spoilers, but a visit to the palace will be sure to feed your brain with a vast knowledge of Venetian history. During your tour, you’ll see relics of battle and even the town's prison. Fun fact: the Doge Palace sits atop over 140,000 timber logs driven into the lagoon. If you’d like more information on the best tours to book, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Take a boat tour to Murano and Burano

Murano is known for its glass art, being a factory island boasting over 25 glass-making galleries and work spaces. While you can purchase Murano glass in many locations, it’s such a treat to visit the factory. You can see how the glass master and their apprentice turn silica into beautiful works of art. Fun fact: it takes about 10–15 years as an apprentice and diligent practice to earn the title of glass master.

Burano is famous for its colorful houses, lace-making traditions and delicious food. A truly InstaWorthy destination, be sure to stroll the streets and snap all the pics. According to local lore, the houses were painted in unique colors to ensure that husbands would make it back to the right home after excessive alcohol consumption.

Visit Museo Correr

Now used for exhibits of art, glass and history, the Museo Correr was originally constructed to be a palace for Napoleon after his empire took control of Venice. Shortly after completion, however, his empire fell after losing the Battle of Waterloo, and he never had the chance to utilize this gorgeous palace. You can roam the halls and see traditional palace room set-ups at the end of the visit, having similar attributes to that of Versailles. Fun fact: after Napoleon’s empire fell, Venice was then under Austrian rule. Pro tip: the museum is air-conditioned, offering a reprieve from the heat if visiting in warm months.

Take a gondola ride

This is the quintessential “I went to Venice” activity. And while gondolas have been largely replaced by motor boats, the novelty is not lost. A 30-minute tour will take you around the canals that rival NYC traffic at times. You can find the gondoliers stopped around many of Venice’s 400 bridges with a sign explaining the fare schedule. Voyages after 7 pm do have an upcharge, but your experience will run you anywhere from 90€-110€ for up to 5 people.

Soak up some sun in Lido de Venezia

Do not, and I cannot stress this enough, do not swim in the canals of Venice. As fun as you may think it is, it’ll give you a souvenir you won’t want to take home. Instead, follow Venetian’s to Lido, a 7mile stretch of barrier island along the lagoon. Lido is home to fabulous resorts and the Venice Film Festival, which runs from late August to early September every year.

Shop!

Two words: Italian leather.
Okay, two more: Murano glass.
Shopping in Italy is renowned, and you can find great things to take home that will remind you of your trip to Venice for years to come.

You cannot possibly go hungry in any Italian city, but especially Venice. Restaurants line the alleyways, offering up vibrant dishes of seafood and pasta. If it’s a drink you’re looking for as a brief stop while shopping or walking, you’ll find incredible options for perfectly crafted drinks and even better people watching. Here are a few of my recommendations:

Venice Venice

The oldest building in all of Venice has recently been dubbed the Venice Venice hotel, which is home to an incredible restaurant along the Grand Canal. It’s the perfect romantic dinner spot, or a place to spend time with friends and truly share the joys of life. Their wine selections are fantastic, but the duck will take the prize.

Ristorante Ca’ Dolfin

They say that the south of Italy is where you will have the one pizza you’ll compare all pizzas to for the rest of your life. I’d agree, but the pizza here is almost right on par with one from Naples. Their menu is vast, their beers are huge and the pizza is delicious. This traditional Italian eatery will also gift you limoncello at the end, a good-faith gesture in hopes you’ll return.

H10 Rooftop

In the heart of the hustle and bustle of the Grand Canal, a short walk from the Ponte di Rialto, is the H10 Hotel. On the rooftop is a terrace bar where you can watch the boats go by, people watch, and…squirt water guns at the pigeons?

Ristorante Florida Venezia

This location has a beautiful outdoor seating area a short walk from the H10, just along the Grand Canal. The menu offers many of the similar things that neighboring street cafes do. The ambiance and the service here set this location up a notch.

Liassidi Palace Hotel Bar

This gorgeous hotel has a quaint courtyard at their entrance with beautiful aesthetics. It’s easy to lose track of time while enjoying the calmness, a stark change from the hustle and bustle of the streets. I can say with absolute conviction that they have the best Aperol Spritz. Trust me, I’ve tried enough during my highly scientific research to be able to confirm this.

Restaurant Galuppi

This one is in Burano. If you’re going to take the ride over, I highly recommend choosing this classic Italian restaurant for your lunch or dinner. The pasta is delicious. The meats and cheeses are satiating, but the seafood is out of this world.