". . . because Venice is always Venice!" Venice by tpal
Venice Travel Guide: 8,137 reviews and 21,375 photos
If you search Virtual Tourist for "Venice, Italy" you will find more than 5500 Travel Tips and 8100 photographs. It seems unlikely that in our short six day visit to this spectacular city we would have found something entirely unrevealed. In fact, there are a few VT sites, such as, Sandy Smith's (sandysmith) and Simone's (sim1) that are so well written, complete and informative that they constitute "the" Must-See-Activity for anyone planning a trip to Venice.
So, what can I tell you? I am struggling with this even as I write. What I have settled on is a more experiential rather than factual narrative. I will, of course try to be accurate and to offer interesting scenes and activities. I will offer some of the world class "must-sees" that everyone who visits will no doubt want to experience. More often, however, I will present more out-of-the-way areas that would not appear in a travel guide but will, hopefully, demonstrate our astonishment with our stay and our regret with its brevity.
The organization of this section is, to say the least, in a rather fluid state, however, I expect that the General Tips and the Off The Beaten Track categories will be heavily loaded with Carol's and my personal and sometimes emotional observations. We were both entranced with the look and feel of Venice at Night and tried to capture images in the dark whenever possible. We spent a lot of time wondering the back lanes, taking pictures of "yet-another" narrow canal or calle. We wondered a lot about the elegant older women who would emerge from their obscure doorways dressed to the "nines" to walk their dogs or simply to stroll arm and arm with their friend. We speculated about the American woman who greeted her guests to her up-scale walled-in home along the Zattare and then rushed off to pickup some last minute party item. We were bewildered by all the shuttered windows that never seemed to open or to have lights on behind them.
Visiting a city like Venice is a lot like meeting an interesting stranger. The conversation may be interesting or exciting. The topics may be familiar or obscure. The experiences shared may be exotic or enviable. In your mind you may believe this stranger should become your new best friend but...what is she really like. What fascinating secrets has she kept to herself or from you. What would be revealed if only you had more time?
What, indeed, would be revealed?
Reviews (20)
Master Artisan Unique to Venice
Local Customs
(5)
This is Saverio Pastor and he is a master. He is the sculptor of an essential component necessary for the propulsion and... more travel advice
Piazza San Marco From Basilica San Marco
Things to Do
(2)
Early October in Venice...what a difference! My previous visits to Venice had been in mid-summer at the absolute height... more travel advice
American Gondola Builder in Venice
Local Customs
(5)
This is what I I had been waiting for! Carol and I had purposefully kept our vacation schedule loose. Aside from hotel... more travel advice
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Comments (41)
I agree Venice is just terrible after sunset. Everyone should flee the city as soon as the sun starts to set. Ha,Ha, Happy Trails
Beautiful page, one of the best Venice pages on VT. We have enjoyed rereading it. Great story about Saverio Pastor. Does kitty live on Campo San Cassano?
Would love to get lost in Venice & explore the back streets = seeing the light must have been a great delight even if it may have been by default!
Hey TPal! I'm wanting to stay at the Hotel Antica Locanda Montin and am doing research. Imagine my surprise when I do a search on VT & come across YOUR tip, from my pal, TPal!! :D
amazing
wow, u don t have to refer to other people's pages! your pages are lovely! and just thank you! for showing me nighttime venice! loved it!
First, I thank you, for the visit of my Venice web page. I read your commentary, looked also your Venice page, and was impressed from your wonderful work. Your precious photos, are a joy for the eyes. Thanks! Gabriela
Your page is a pleasure to read and the photos are fabulous.
Fantastic night pics of Venice - greetz
I love the glimpses you give of the hidden [non-tourist] side of Venice.