Voyage to Venice ...ultimate things to do and see

 Venice never quite seems real, but rather an ornate film set suspended on the water.

-Frida Giannini

Venice ...Utterly unique and truly otherworldly, filled with astonishing architecture and history, it has 446 bridges, a labyrinth of canals, and sumptuous churches with bustling cafes are every traveler's dream destination. Founded in 421 AD, this enchanting city is unique in every possible way, from architecture and atmosphere to culture or geography to transportation. It is tied up with 100 lagoons in the Adriatic Sea, once a central hub of merchant, art, and culture in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. With the influx of heavy tourists and the widespread of social media, wanderlust in you wonder if you can really feel or experience this place's true charm. Venice, a city where every corner is shared through photos and videos, might make you wonder if there's anything left to discover. But the truth is, visiting and witnessing a place like Venice with your own eyes is a truly unmatched experience. 

Best things to do:

 

1. Piazza San Marco -  Napoleon called it “the drawing room of Europe”. Consisting of Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and St. Mark's Campanile, this beautiful piazza is truly the heartbeat of Venice. You see nothing but a dream sequence everywhere, from ornate architecture to moody corridors to life-size lamp posts waterfront where graceful gondolas float. 

Saint Mark's Basilica is an awe-inspiring architectural wonder and the true essence of Venetian esthetics. The Byzantine mosaic is embodied with golden touches.  The most religious place in Venice, this basilica's construction began in 828 AD and ended in 832 AD, and it underwent modifications several times. 

Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, was Built in 1340 AD and is the city's most impressive Venetian Gothic landmark. It took more than 100 years to build and now welcomes the public. It served as the Duke of Venice's residence and the Republic's center.

Torre dell'Orologio, the famous clock tower that has been ringing the big bell every hour since 1499. 

2. Brunch at the famous Florian—The oldest cafe in Italy, open since 1720, has had iconic personalities like Goldoni, Ernest Hemingway, Charles Dickens, and Lord Byron visit it. This cafe is also the first cafe house that allowed women to enter. Inside the Florian, there is nothing short of an art painting—the ceiling, walls, lamps—everything is beautiful. Here, staff changes their clothes to different outfits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

3. A day trip to Burano - Known for lace making, this colorful island is a 40/45 minute vaporetto ride from St. Mark's Square.  It is filled with vivid colors, cute houses, quaint shops, and great places for photography, and you can lay your hands on some unique handmade goodies. Visiting Burano is a delight. 

4. Rialto Bridge—Built between 1588 and 1591, this bridge is truly synonymous with Venice and one of the most photographed. The Rialto Market encircles it, as do the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, the Santa Maria Dei Miracle, Ca Rezzonico, and many souvenir shops and good eateries.

5. Bridge of Sighs—The “Ponte dei Sospiri” or “Bridge of Sighs” is a baroque-style limestone bridge located at the end of the Doge’s Palace. It served as a passageway for prisoners who were seeing Venice for the last time before crossing over to the prison. It is an iconic photo spot you don't want to miss.

6. Ride a Gondola—Gondolas are essential to Venice's history and culture. Whether you want to take a ride inside small canals, local canals, or the Grand Canal, it's the most romantic addition to your Venice trip. 

7. Get lost in the beautiful streets - Venice is a small island, but its maze-like layout is a little tricky, and you might end up lost. However, it always makes you discover one of the wonders of Venice because every sight is breathtaking and beautiful here.

Snippets

A. Language - Italian is the primary language, but English is widely used. 

B. Currency - Euro, and all major credit cards can be used. Keeping some cash is really handy at times.

C. Best Time to Visit - December-January-February-March are low seasons and cold and rainy seasons.

Apri-May is the best season to visit.

June-July-August is peak season, hot, humid, and full of tourists.

September-October-November are also ideal seasons to visit, with good weather and low tourists.