Brook and I just recently returned from spending a weekend in Venice. It is a magical place, and the perfect place for a coupe to enjoy getting lost and just seeing where the day takes them. That being said, we have some great recommendations! And yes, the tiramisu is amazing all over town and trying it is a must!
You can fly into Venezia Marco Polo Airport, or come by train. Once you get there, you can move around on foot, by Vaporetto which is the local public transit (think water bus) or by private water taxi (which I think is a must). Of course you can also hire a gondola for a romantic trip through the canals.
Where to stay- For those looking to splurge we suggest Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond property. Other great options are The Gritti Palace and the St. Regis. We also recommend the Ai Reali hotel. For those looking for a really wonderful experience but would like to save some money for dinners and shopping we highly recommend Hotel Flora which is down an unassuming alley not far from St Mark’s Square. The hotel is truly charming and has so much character you may just want to spend your day exploring the garden and the vintage bar. Looking to stay on one of the smaller canals? We loved our stay at Hotel Dona Palace. We adored our corner room called the Duchessa suite with its beautiful canopy bed and huge window opening to the canal below. It was away from the main tourist areas but still in walking distance to everything. And the included breakfast and the cappuccinos were delish!
Museums are everywhere- The most famous are Doge’s Palace, Ca’ Rezzonico, and Gallerie dell’Accademia being some of the most famous. We highly recommend not missing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The collection is just remarkable. We suggest getting there just before opening. You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket office on property. Another great option is the Fortuny Museum – a classic Venetian villa in the Fortuny family for centuries. We stumbled on the Fondazione Querini Stampalia another stunning Villa which is also home to a library and really enjoyed it. There are many more museums and gallery’s to chose from, or just soak in the amazing art throughout the city streets and squares.
The people watching is always our favorite. Grab a drink and watch the world go by at Taverna la Fenice (try and grab one of the overstuffed chairs out front), The Garden Bar at the St Regis (sit right on the waters edge), Venice M’Art at the Venice Venice hotel (the patio on the Grand Canal is a spectacle). Harry’s bar off the square is probably the most famous watering hole and is famous for their bellinis (sit at the bar if there is a seat). For a more substantial dinner we loved Restaurante Antica Sacrestia. Looking for the ultimate romantic dinner? Ai Barbacani Restaurant has an amazing table for two right on the canal.
No matter what you chose to do with your time in Venice, it’s impossible not to be charmed. Buon Viaggio!
