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Venetian class

All Areas > Travel > Holidays & Travel

Author: Al Hidden, Posted: Thursday, 26th September 2019, 09:00

‘La Serenissima', ‘The Queen of the Adriatic’ or ‘The Floating City’: whatever your preferred sobriquet for Venice, it’s among the world’s most popular and distinctive destinations. Let’s be honest, who hasn’t dreamed of a romantic gondola ride – with or without a Cornetto in hand?

Despite concerns about environmental issues and touristic pressures, Venice’s appeal continues unabated with over 25 million visitors annually. And for good reason: its signature canals and bridges; narrow alleys; architectural gems such as the Doge’s Palace (tip: book in advance to circumvent queues); and delicious cuisine.

Catch a water taxi...

Fly into Venice or evoke the romance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as you cross Ponte della Libertà to Santa Lucia station. Then catch a motoscafi water taxi into the city – book a private hotel transfer for maximum convenience and style. Book early for the best accommodation too, be it the five-star Gritti Palace or – our recommendation – highly-rated Hotel Ala on Campo Santa Maria del Giglio in San Marco’s heart.

Whether on foot or by vaporetto water bus, you must sample the obligatory sights. Please venture ‘off-piste’ too, because getting lost in Venice is a traveller’s joy.

Savour espresso overlooking the traditional Squero di San Trovaso gondola boatyard. Or seek out adorable Paso de Chiodo footbridge in Cannaregio.

And while you’re in this most northerly of Venice’s ‘sestieri’, squeeze down impossibly-narrow Calle Varisco before refuelling on delicious Sarde in Saor, Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia, carnival-time’s moreish Frittelle doughnuts or other treats.

...or an iconic gondola

And so to gondolas, the definitive Venetian icons. Consider avoiding €100-plus rides on the gondola-choked Grand Canal. Instead, enjoy lesser-known – but equally beguiling – waterways.

And for the cheapest, yet most authentic, gondola experience? Join Venetians on cheap two-minute Canal Grande crossings by ‘traghetto’ gondola – and test your sea legs as you rub shoulders with the locals.

Whether you stay near Piazza San Marco or venture further afield around Venice’s lagoon to glass-making Murano or Chioggia’s ‘Little Venice’, when is the best time to visit? The consensus seems to be late spring or early autumn – with November an atmospheric alternative if the smallest crowds are your priority.

So pack Laura Morelli’s (fictional) ‘The Gondola Maker’ or Barry Frangipane’s (factual) ‘The Venice Experiment’ and explore the locations of movies as diverse as Nicolas Roeg’s haunting ‘Don’t Look Now’, ‘Death in Venice’ or ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ as you discover ‘La Serenissima’ for yourself.

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