From Marco Polo Airport, you can take a water taxi. Some hotels even meet their guests at the airport with a water taxi, that takes you directly to the hotel. Venice is considered one of the most romantic places in the world, according to many international rankings. It’s the design of the city — the old houses, the canals, the gondolas, the singing gondoliers, and the small bridges connecting the islands that make up the city center—that creates its unique charm.
I have been to Venice several times, and it’s not the right destination for a budget trip. Venice is best enjoyed through great food in cozy restaurants. It’s a beautiful city, filled with the famous Murano mirrors and crystal chandeliers, and you’ll also find delicious food here. Yes, the city is truly wonderful and unique. Visit while you can.
However, Venice also faces some security challenges. The many boats create congestion, and the growing number of tourists must be managed through various measures, while the city itself is slowly sinking.
We are staying at a hotel near St. Mark’s Square, and my husband and I spend several days walking around Venice. Three major landmarks are just a few minutes away: St. Mark’s Basilica, Piazza San Marco, and the Campanile.
St. Mark’s Basilica is the resting place of St. Mark the Evangelist. The cathedral features mosaics covering its walls and arches. The Campanile tower, which is 99 meters high, overlooks the city. In addition to taking a gondola ride, you can also use the “vaporetto,” the public water bus system, if you prefer not to walk.
You can also hire a private driver to take you everywhere by motorboat and wait while you explore, for example, one of the nearby islands — Lido, Murano, or Burano — which are about half an hour from San Marco, the heart of Venice.
One day, we go over to Lido to swim. It’s an island known for its long beaches and beautiful patrician villas. The hotels along the coast usually own the beach in front of them. The public beach is located at the far end; it’s a long walk and can be crowded with beach towels. Sun loungers with parasols are arranged along the beach in different colorful sections and price ranges. There are a several restaurants to choose from, many of the hotels also have their own.
We try to choose different local dishes to eat almost every day during our stay in Venice. It’s important to find the right restaurant to experience authentic cuisine. One evening, I find an excellent risi e bisi, a dish that dates back to the 15th century. There is even a royal version that is still prepared on St. Mark’s Day. It is traditionally a spring dish, meant to be eaten when the pea harvest is fresh. It’s a risotto made with rice, peas, broth, onion, and Parmesan — a creamy version, almost like a soup, served with a spoon, its wonderful.
Venice also offers fantastic pasta dishes such as bigoli. The city is also famous for its spider crab, which can be enjoyed in various ways. Another specialty is risotto al nero di seppia, a black risotto made with cuttlefish, along with many other exciting local dishes.
I finish by enjoying a tiramisu—one of my favorite desserts. It’s best eaten in Italy, where it originates, specifically from the nearby city of Treviso. Made with creamy mascarpone cheese, coffee, and ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi), it has just the right flavor and texture, often enhanced with a hint of Marsala wine and chocolate. There are, of course, many variations of tiramisu. I will give you a good recipe.
On the island of Burano, you can try the well-known buranelli cookies. It’s also a charming and worthwhile excursion destination for a afternoon.
It takes about half an hour by boat to reach the island of Murano, which is famous for its glassmaking. Here, you can watch glassblowing and see how artisans shape the glass in workshops. Murano’s chandeliers made of Venetian glass are world-famous and well worth the trip. Murano glass and carnival masks are popular souvenirs that many visitors bring home from Venice.
They say the value of Murano glass is eternal — and so are the memories of Venice.