5 Reasons to visit Venice

Venice has many charming features to delight tourists. From its unique system of canals to the impressive art that can be found within the city, Venice has much to offer to visitors. The following five reasons to visit Venice highlight the aspects of the city that make it so special.

St. Mark's Square

As the location of St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Square is the favorite destination of many of Venice's tourists. The inside of the Basilica is so richly decorated that the effect is almost overwhelming. The adjacent Doge's Palace is also a delight for the senses, featuring architectural marvels such as the Bridge of Sighs, as well as a breathtaking array of fine art. After seeing the sights, soak up the ambiance of the square by relaxing with a Bellini cocktail at one of the outdoor tables of the famous Cafe Florian.

Religious Art

Venice's artistic heritage is strikingly clear throughout the city. Almost every church is beautifully decorated with wall paintings, intricate stonework and gold plating. You'll see more religious art on a tour of Venice's churches than you would in almost any museum, and the experience of seeing the works in their intended setting is priceless.

Shopping in Venice

Venice's aesthetic appeal isn't solely due to its old buildings or artistic masterpieces; the shop windows and market stalls are also sights that are worth seeing. Beautiful Venetian masks are on sale in almost every quarter of the city. If you're looking for souvenirs, then head to the island of Murano, where the shops are filled with Venetian glass - which is said to be the finest in the world. You can watch intricate glass pieces being made at the Murano Glass Museum.

Delicious Italian Food

It is widely acknowledged that Italian food tastes better when it is eaten in Italy. It's not certain whether this is due to the freshness of the ingredients, the laid-back atmosphere, or the unique ability of Italian chefs to combine simple ingredients such as tomatoes, basil, olive oil and mozzarella cheese in dishes that bring the taste buds to life. For fine dining in Venice, leave the main streets and explore the bacari, where every drink comes with a delicious bite-sized serving of traditional Italian food.

Romantic Moments

What could be more romantic than floating along a Venetian canal on a gondola? Venice is the perfect romantic destination for couples. Whether you're on your honeymoon or marking an anniversary, Venice is the ideal place to celebrate your love.

A Short History of St Marks Basilica

St Marks Basilica is amongst the most popular visitor attractions in Venice, and a big part of the attraction is its colourful history. If you choose only to visit one attraction in Venice, St Marks Basilica is maybe the one to choose.

Venice has a strong religious heritage and there are many churches spread around the city, but St Marks Basilica is the best known and most exciting to visit due to its sheer size and quite fantastic architectural design. To give it its full name, Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, is a Roman Catholic cathedral which has roots leading back to the 9th century when a temporary structure was erected. This initial structure was burnt down during a rebellion in the 10th century before being quickly re-built and eventually transformed into the basis of the impressive structure that is present today.

As the years and centuries went by the work on the basilica continued, which is why different parts of the building differ in design as they were subject to the fashions and ideas of the time. Venice was the returning point for ships traveling the world, many of which would bring back features, such as pillars, which were incorporated into the building.

Amongst the most famous features of St Marks Basilica are the Greek Horses which stand on the outside of the building. These were initially put in place in the 13th century having been returned to Venice as part of loot taken from Constantinople. All in all, the various different features of the Basilica and their intriguing history make for a fascinating visit.

A Short Biography of Casanova

On my recent trip to Venice I was able to read Giacomo Casanova’s memoirs and liked them so much that I recommend them to all avid readers. Although Casanova is remembered today for being a master seducer; he was also a spy, diplomat, soldier, prisoner, adventurer and businessman. He lived a rich and highly interesting life, although some of his activities are nothing short of unscrupulous.

Born on April 2nd, 1725 in Venice as the eldest son of Gaetan Joseph Jacques Casanova and Zanetti Farusi, Casanova was raised by his maternal grandmother. After his basic education, he tried to become a priest, but was found to have too roving an eye.

Casanova’s life was full of illicit affairs and illegitimate children. At one point in his life, he almost married his own illegitimate daughter. He spent a lot of time travelling all over Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Turkey and Austria. Owing to his travels, Casanova came across people from different sections of society, from peasants to aristocrats and got to know kings, popes and other eminent personalities.

During the Inquisition, Casanova found himself imprisoned for 15 months for airing his views about morality and religion; however, he escaped and was able to continue his life. Although he never seemed to really care about money, he lived well and ensured that he always had the best food, houses and clothes. He was good at making money, but poor at saving it; and this ultimately forced him to seek employment with the same people who imprisoned him. Fortunately for him, they decided to employ him as a spy for a few years.

He spent the last 14 years of his life working as a librarian for Count Waldstein in the Chateau Dux, Bohemia where he wrote on a series of topics and compiled his memoirs.

The Glass Museum tour was a surprise..

I have been here in Venice for a few years now and I have visited and seen most of the attractions and places that people normally like to see.

This last weekend though I decided to try out the Glass Museum as friends had told me about it and alas, I have to admit that I actually enjoyed it. Didn't expect to and I have to admit that my wife was the force behind us seeing this attraction.

The Glass Museum is said to be one of the top in Europe and with its location on the scenic Murano Island, you can use the Museum waterbus (Museo Murano waterbus) to get across to the island (this is a fun part of visiting the glass museum also).

I thought looking at glass would be slightly boring but when you see live demonstrations of glass blowing and design it is quite fascinating. The official Venice Glass museum site online has details of entrance fees and times. The guided tour is worth doing and you can also if you are really into glass, sign up for various workshops.

Secret Gardens of Venice

If you think about Venice, the first thing coming up in your mind is water and stone. However, the city also offers hundreds of hidden gardens waiting to be discovered by you. Although the environment is difficult, some of the gardens are the most magnificent ones in the world due to their combination of flowers, plants, rocks and water.

One of the gardens, the Giardinett Reali, which is located between St. Mark’s Square and the lagoon, is open to the public without any admission charge. You will see pebbled paths, splashes of colour, you will smell heavenly fragrances and high trees and greenery will protect you from the sun. After leaving the garden, you should discover the baroque church Santa Maria della Salute which was completed in 1689.

There is a special walking tour through Venice’s gardens that aren’t easily found by tourists. Here you will visit amongst others two convent gardens and a beautiful renaissance Venetian garden which is located on the grounds of a secluded palace and only few people know that it exists.

You can read more about the 'Secret Gardens of Venice via the book by Cristiana Moldi-Ravenna and available on Amazon. There are many luxury and affordable holiday apartments in Venice to stay in so accommodation shoul dbe no problem. Several budget airlines also fly into Venice including Ryanair.