Venice, a city that needs little, if no introduction! The capital of Italy's Veneto region, and built on more than 100 little islands that have beautiful and amazing architecture. So, why oh why would I not visit, once, or maybe twice? The last time I was visiting the floating city was was a few years ago on a little
summer weekend in Venice. Word of warning for anyone visiting in the summer, it is crowded! Everyone and their cousin, uncle, auntie are there, so you can just imagine how packed the vaporettos (water buses) and streets are. I don't think I intentionally chose to visit out of the busy season this time round when I went in the winter but it just turned that way as I was hoping to visit before the end of last year. Thank goodness it wasn't snowing. I was also a little apprehensive about going in the winter as winters in Venice are synonymous with Aqua Alta. Aqua Alta is the term used in Venice for the annual flooding that occurs in winter months. When this happens, most of San Marco square is covered in water together with many streets and alleys, actually. They put up little platforms for people to walk around. This was a worry up until a few weeks before the trip when the weather seemed to stabilise, although still cold.
I needn't have worried so much about the weather, it was dry but super cold! Mornings in Venice were covered in the heavy fog which wrapped the city's famous landmarks in a haze, making them barely visible. Visibility was close to zero if you were standing afar but it made the floating city fill with even more charm and romantic atmosphere, as my fiance threw the google maps and cameras back in the pockets and get lost through alleyways filled with a mysterious fog. Aimless wanderings in Venice saw us visit Doge's Palace, St Marks Square, Campanile Bell Tower, Ca'Rezzonico, Ca D'Oro, Grand Canal's famous Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Basilica. You can buy tour tickets in advance that allow you to beat the queues via
Viator and
Expedia.
Venice is one of those cities that I think doing the so-called 'Top 20 Things To Do In Venice' is almost pointless because each and every corner you turn there is something awe-inspiring to see and do. It's simply best to let the city reveal itself to you. There are no roads in Venice, so all you need are your feet and perhaps a few hoops on the vaporettos. Venice is lined with Renaissance and Gothic Palaces, beautifully detailed architecture that a few days is never going to be enough...there is a solution to that, though. You can either move to Venice or come back! I am more for the latter. I will definitely be back in Venice again....below are some of the snaps from the exploring when we weren't too busy oohing and ahhing over beautiful sights. The second to last shot is a view of Campanile Bell Tower from our Airbnb apartment.
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Love your romantic description of the city! It really transposed me in the cold, wet, foggy Venice. I myself have been there my first time in a very cold February, even though it wasn't so hazzy. You should most certainly come back in a May or September to get lost on the sunny streets.
ReplyDeleteIngrid
Glad you enjoyed the little journey the post took you on. I have been in the summer and winter so I think next time I visit, it will be end of Spring just before the summer rush or end of summer when people go back to school or summer vacationers return home.
DeleteWow, this is amazing photography! I've been to Venice several times and in different seasons, but you've managed to capture the very essence in your photos. Such a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you. Glad you enjoyed the photo. I aim to please :D
DeleteWow, your pictures are stunning ! Traveling to Venice in the winter seems to allow visitors to experience the city at a slower, more peaceful pace, sans crowds and itineraries :-)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely seems slower paced in the winter, which was a welcomed changed from the busy summer visit some time ago. Also as long as you are properly dressed for the weather I would highly recommend visit in the winter as the place has such an added romance to its atmoshere.
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