| Page Views: 2,485 Last Visit to Venice: December, 2008 I Visit Here Frequently | Wandering around Venice with Suvanki by suvanki - last update: May 9, 2009 |
Just booked flights for 7 of us for my 50th Birthday in January!- my 6th visit to Venice.
My first visit to Venice was back in August 1978, as an organised day trip from Lake Como with 3 friends.
I'm afraid to say that I was very disappointed - our trip was a bit of a rip off, and the day we visited it was thundering and lightening, with a torrential down pour!
It was a place that I'd really wanted to see. but I couldn't wait to get back to Lake Como!
I'm afraid that I don't remember much about this day, apart from a rushed visit to St Marks to see the gold alter, a quick dash to see the Rialto Bridge, and a sprint over to Murano for a whirlwind tour of a glass factory.
However, over the years, I'd read, and heard about others wonderful experiences of Venice, and I'd become increasingly interested in re-visiting this city.
Reading 'Miss Garnet's Angel' by Sally Vickers, spurred me on to book a bargain flight to Venice for Christmas - my first Christmas away from home.
So, nearly 30 years since my last visit I was alighting from the airport water bus, on Christmas Eve 2006 near San Marco Piazza. It was even more magical than I'd anticipated!
I spent hours wandering the narrow streets, soaking up the atmosphere. Taking hundreds of photos, and getting a crick in my neck from constantly looking up at buildings and paintings in the churches
I'd fallen hook, line and sinker for Venice, and it wasn't too long before I was back.
June 07, Aerosmith and The Killers, 2 of my favourite groups were due to play at The Heineken Festival in Mestre. My planned weekend soon stretched to 12 days! Although the festival was cancelled the night I arrived, due to a freak tornado! I got to spend more time exploring Venice, including the Biennale exhibition -
After travelling to Padua or Padova and Lake Garda (never made Verona or Asolo) I had another 2 nights in Venice. I stayed on the lagoon island of Sant Erasmo, where I would definitely stay again! I got to explore more of Venice and thoroughly enjoyed wandering around Cannaregio.
Christmas 07, I was back again, staying in Cannaregio. Time to explore more of 'hidden Venice' and the islands of San Michele, Torcello and Murano
Christmas 08 I'd booked to stay in a newly opened hotel on Isola del Certosa, which promised views over the lagoon. However my booking was altered on the morning of departure to La Residenza, a former 15th Century palace, between San Marco and Arsenale.
I was a bit disappointed with this change, but arriving in Venice from Treviso, where I'd spent the previous night (well worth a visit!!) to thick fog - I was pleased with the change.
This time I enjoyed exploring more hidden corners of Venice including Sant. Elena and more of Dorsoduro.
I also spent a good few hours on Isola St. Giorgio Maggiore and Giudecca.
I still feel that there is more to see - I haven't had a good look inside Saint Marks Basillica yet (apart from during Christmas Eve Midnight Mass), and I still haven't set foot in the Doges Palace or the museums. Some of the churches I've visited have been closed, or I later found that I'd missed an interesting piece of Art or architecture. I'd also like to take a guided walk or 2. |
|  | Off the Beaten Track in Venice I love 'getting lost' in a place geographically and in losing all track of time, something that I can do easily as a solo traveller, especially in this fascinating city (without any cars and bikes to look out for)!
I was surprised to read recently, that 80% of visitors to Venice, only ever see San Marco Piazzo!
I'm afraid that I can't understand those who say that you can see Venice in a day - although back in 1978 I'd probably have agreed with them!
However, I realise that for some people, their only chance to fulfil a wish to see Venice might be as a day trip from another town, or as part of a cruise or coach tour.
If you have free time- don't waste it queueing!
For example -Instead of spending 30 minutes queueing for the Campanile -walk out of San Marco Piazzo, turn left and catch the number 2 Vaporetto from San Zaccaria (run every 10 minutes) to the island opposite with the church - San Giorgio Maggiore. Here it costs half the price of S. M Campanile, smaller queues (if any) and great views over Venice and beyond, then catch the vaporetto back to San Zaccaria.
Although I never fail to be awe struck by the sight of the Piazza and San Marco in the daylight, it's difficult to ignore the crowds, souvenir stalls and pigeons, so I tend to enjoy my first sighting of my visit, then head off the beaten track. I do like to return late at night though, when the crowds have departed.
I also prefer to visit at Christmas, when there are less crowds. There is still a celebration of Christmas, but it's less commercialised than back home. (Italians celebrate Christmas on 6th January)
It is one of the few times that I've been to a church service (voluntarily) in years. I attended Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Saint Marks, which was quite impressive at midnight, as the lights are switched on to reveal the golden dome, and the bells ring peals to celebrate the birth of Christ - I still say that it was the incense that made my eyes water!! I also attended Midnight Mass this time, staying to the end of the service, meant I could wander around the Basillica. Stepping out into the Piazza in the early hours of Christmas Morning, then walking along the Molo, taking photos until nearly 2am, was one of my special memories
This year, I caught the Christmas Market in Campoo Sant Stefano
There are many events such as the annual (free) concert in The Frari on 26th December. Murano has huge glass decorations around the island. Stalls sell mulled wine. Christmas Eve in the Rialto Markets had a special buzz to it, as shoppers queued for goodies, while others enjoyed a glass of wine in the markets bars.
For some info about Christmas and Winter in Venezia Click Here |
My Venice Tips- | | | The Lion of Venice - San Marco Basilica |
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| Pros: | "Easy to get around, photographers paradise" | | Cons: | "Bloomin' pigeons! Not allowed to sit in San Marco" | | In A Nutshell: | "Something for everyone!" |
suvanki's Venice Travel Tips
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 Comments for suvanki about Venice | | | | |
Trekki Fri May 22, 2009 22:24 UTC
Oh Sue, I found so many inspirations already!! Sant'Erasmo B&B sounds fantastic and also to buy kitchenware as memory gifts :-)) And I also attended a mass with tears in my eyes of all that beauty! Back for more!! | hindu1936 Mon May 4, 2009 16:50 UTC
Wow! great tips--history, times, schedules, insights-what more can we ask. thanks--keep traveling and writing for us | aussirose Thu Feb 26, 2009 05:04 UTC
What a fabulous opening pic Sue! And great tips too!...I saved a few interesting ones in my Trip Planner for when I eventually get there :o).....and yes I'm going to get lost too!!...what fun :o) Cheers, Ann xx | abi_maha Sat Feb 21, 2009 03:17 UTC
What a page! I spent 5 days in Venice the only time I visited, except had forgotten a lot of it. Now my memory's refreshed! Thanks for sharing! |
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