Venice, Italy cruises
This being Venice, exploring the maze of markets and cafés has to be by gondola, before heading to Harry’s Bar for a Bellini cocktail. The whole experience of the unique city is surreal, but charming.
Your guide to Venice.
There’s no city on earth like Venice and no feeling like seeing the Grand Canal for the first time. The vision of water buses and taxis expertly interweaving against a backdrop of domed basilicas is a moment you’ll relive time and again. Venice has this effect on you over and over; every corner of the city revealing a sight more beautiful than before. It’s joyfully quirky too, with maze-like streets and tiny bridges that only intensify its charm. Savour a Bellini in Harry’s Bar, absorb the majesty of St. Mark’s Square and ride a gondola through parts of the city reserved purely for those on water.
Exploring.
Whether you navigate its winding streets on foot or use a vaporetto (water bus) to shuttle between the main sights, Venice is a joy to explore. The city is sprawling with historic UNESCO listed buildings, narrow bridge-linked streets and an infinite network of canals. One of the most famous points of interest, St. Mark’s Square, is where you’ll find the radiant St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Campanile bell tower. The Rialto Bridge is yet another iconic symbol of Venice you must seek out, while art lovers won’t want to miss the 20th-century curations at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Eating and drinking.
Venice is a gastronomic wonderland; a place to discover flavorsome regional delicacies and vibrant native wines. One way to satisfy your appetite is to indulge in the uniquely Venetian pastime of Ombre and Chicetti. This traditional pairing of wine and a small snack is a big part of Venetian culture, with both drink and snack normally costing just a couple of Euros. For a quintessential Venetian aperitif order a Spritz Veneziano; a cocktail consisting of Aperol, Prosecco and soda water. Alternatively, visit Harry’s Bar. Famed for inventing the peach Bellini, this Venetian icon was a favorite of Katharine Hepburn, Truman Capote and Ernest Hemmingway.
Shopping.
With so many exquisite sights to take in, shopping may not feature high on your Venice agenda but the opportunity to take home a traditional Venetian mask, authentic Murano glass or Burano lace should not be missed. Venice is, after all, synonymous with these items and just a few hours in port affords you ample opportunity to track them down. Your time ashore is also the perfect chance to add an Italian designer to your wardrobe. Venice is awash with luxury, home-grown, fashion labels, the biggest concentration of which line the picturesque streets snaking between The Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
Beyond Venice.
The islands of Murano and Burano are two of the most popular Venice excursions. Reached by vaporetto, the journey rewards you with grand views of the Venetian lagoon and both islands offer an interesting contract from Venice. Famed for their production of glass and lace respectively, Burano’s brightly painted houses fill its streets with color while Murano’s legacy as Europe’s first major glassmaker continues to draw global interest. You’ll find the story of this centuries-old heritage outlined in the Museo del Vetro, and when you’re ready for lunch Burano’s exquisite seafood restaurants offer fresh catch at a much lower price than you’ll find in Venice.