During my husband Jonathan’s and my airline careers, there was nothing better than waking up from an overnight flight to Europe in Venice, Italy. Venice is truly “one of the seven wonders of the world,” and it is so different from many places on Earth.
Venice is a city to be explored by foot, water, or gondola – where every step reveals something new; there are no cars, only canals. It boasts the world’s most famous canal network, with almost 540 bridges spanning the canals. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest and most famous bridge in this city.
We have stayed in several different hotels throughout the years. One memorable hotel is the J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa, which is located on its private island. It has a water shuttle that takes about 45 minutes to arrive at St. Mark’s Square, which is the center of Venice. We have also stayed at the Hilton Molina Stuckey, which is a fully restored flour mill on the Giudecca Island. It also has a private shuttle boat from Piazza San Marco.
Most recently, we discovered an excellent alternative to staying within the City of Venice at the Hilton Garden Inn Venice Mestre San Giuliano, located midway between Venice’s historic center and Venice Marco Polo Airport. From the hotel, via the number 5 bus, it is a short 10-minute drive to “the steps of Venice”. Another nice way of getting to the center of Venice is by taking a water taxi directly from the airport; this trip takes about one hour.
One of the most famous Venice landmarks is St. Mark’s Square. Caffe Florian is the oldest cafe in Italy and sits along St. Mark’s Square, with historic buildings and Venetian architecture. It is a great place to have lunch or just a drink, and it is so European to listen to a live orchestra.
Another very popular short trip is to Murano Island with its long tradition of glass-making. The island is reached by Venice’s famous water bus ferries and is about one mile north of Venice.
Lido is also a worthwhile visit while in Venice. It is an eleven-kilometer-long barrier island in the Venetian lagoon. There are water bus ferries to Lido, and they take about 14 minutes. It is best known for its beaches and the Venice Film Festival.
The best time to visit Venice is in the spring, fall, and winter. There are an overwhelming number of tourists in the summer, and it is very hot and humid. The first time we visited Venice was at the end of November on our honeymoon. The weather was damp and chilly, but it added to the city’s ambiance. While there, we stayed at the famous Hotel Danieli for $75.00, the airline rate. Another year, we went to Venice in February and we were able to experience the famous Carnival festivities. The cold, damp, and foggy weather made it a magical experience. The Carnival is renowned for its Venetian masks. The costumes are also very interesting, as they are of the Renaissance or Baroque style.
The Ghetto of Venice, Europe’s first “ghetto” and the historic Jewish quarter located in the heart of the city, should not be missed. The Venetian Ghetto still hosts religious institutions that serve Venice’s Jewish community. Although there are approximately 500 people in the Jewish community of Venice, only a few reside in the ghetto, as the area has become quite expensive.
The two things that I love best about Venice are the extensive network of canals and getting lost within the endless number of its narrow streets. You will always find your way to either the Rialto Bridge or St. Mark’s Square, but getting there on foot is what makes Venice special. The water bus ferries are a great way to see the highlights of the city, and they are a lot of fun.
