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SEE VENICE

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Table of Contents: 
THE CITY
THE CANALS
THE MAINLAND.

You can see Venice by boat or on foot. Both over different, captivating angles.
Venice Italy, the city of 118 islands, 400 bridges, and 170 boat canals.

 

Come see Venice, the town of canals and gondolas.

It’s funny; what draws people to the city turns out to not be that big of a deal. When they get to the town and see what else the city offers, they forget why they came.

I am not downplaying the gondolas or canals, but so many people don’t know what else Venice has to offer.

Maybe we can change that here.

There is incredible architecture, art, and history. Any one of these can fill several days. There is the cuisine, which surprises many, and the award-winning Veneto wines that catch people entirely off guard. And there are the Venetians. They are proud of their city and scared of losing it to over-tourism and a dwindling working class.

Like a Murano glass sculpture, there are all these facets swirling into a glittering masterpiece.

See Venice and all its wonders.
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SEE VENICE. THE TOWN

Fortunately, WWII came late to Venice, and the Nazis were not there too long. British bombers cut off the Germans without damaging many of the city’s treasures. It is a great town to “lose” yourself.

The mythological creature has been a part of Venice since the 12th century.
The winged lion represents the patron saint, the Apostle, Saint Mark. The lion with bird-like wings is the traditional symbol of the Republic of Venice.

 

The remains of St Mark came to Venice from Egypt.
St Mark’s Basilica

 

The outside is charming. The inside over the top.
The exterior of the Doges Palace, ruler of Venice.

 

The Doge had hiding places where he would sit and listen.
One of the meeting rooms of the representatives. There was no shortage of gold.

 

The bridge leads from where the verdict would be told, to the jail which was anything but sunny.
A prisoner’s last view from the Bridge of Sighs.

 

An elevator will take you to the top of the tower.
The Campanile (bell tower) overlooks St Mark’s Square.

 

You can listen to the various orchestras for free. Sit down and expect to pay.
St Mark’s Square at night is charming.

 

From all the stairs, I doubt if any Venetians need to go to a gym.
Expect to find charming courtyards, Piazzas, and Campos while you walk.

 

If you want to see Venice, visit the ghetto.
Europe’s first Ghetto.

 

There is no reason to the street layout. They just put them wherever they needed one.
Some streets seem to go north, east, south, and west. Sooner or later, you will zig or zag.

A day strolling through the town of Venice is rewarding just for architecture and relaxation. The small canals and little pocket streets and alcoves add to this.

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See Venice Canals.

You really cannot avoid them. There is at least one between where you are and where you want to be. Some are big, some are small, and the route may puzzle you. Lose yourself in the maze of canals.

Most shipping of goods is by boat to storerooms at water's edge.
Some canals allow docking by your front door.

 

Many churches are on canals so you can see them. They knew what they were doing when choosing the space.
And some canals are grand and let you go to church by boat.

 

The Venetians use all available space. Two houses may share the same clothes line.
Some are only wide enough to hang four towels.

 

Bridges come in all widths, heights and depth.
Where ever there’s a canal, there’s going to be some bridges.

 

Docks are not allowed on the smaller canals so boats tie up right to the side of the building.
Some canals you can only see by boat as there is no sidewalk.

 

The Rialto is the most photographed bridge in Venice.
And some canals and bridges are more famous.

You can see Venice has a canal and bridge for everyone. Some are quaint and hard to find. Others are hard to miss. See them all, and if you can, and if possible, a few from the water.

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See Everything Else.

There are more islands. You could spend days visiting the other islands of the lagoon, and they are rewarding. Let’s take a look at some of them.

I have yet to come across one glass company I like best. The problem is, I seem to like them all.
Wander one of Murano’s many glass shops.

 

Today, there are very few residents left.
Torcello is one of the first islands they settle.

 

The island seems to be a poster child for Sherwin Williams paint. Each neighbor's house seems to be a brighter color.
The colorful island of Burano, famous for lace.

 

The furthest island in the photo, San Clemente is not a five-star hotel with ten-star prices.
Giudecca is right across from Venice. Many smaller islands now house deluxe hotels.

 

And Make Sure to See Venice at Night.

The city takes on a whole new look. See Venice by dark.
An evening ride on a Vaporetto will set you back only about eight euro.

 

Venice at night can be a photographers treasure chest.
Just a few blocks off the glittering Grand Canal, the streets are more peaceful.

 

For pictures of major tourist sites without major amounts of tourists, early morning is the best.
The city at sunrise is unique, as well. And less crowded.

 

See Venice Summary

There isn’t that much to see, but everything is worth seeing. Venice wants to show you her charms, but she is keeping them secret.

That is the paradox of Venice. When it is not straining under too many tourists, it is a magical town. Mid-day, many areas can feel like an amusement park with a lot of shoving and pushing.

Try to visit off-season or early morning before the boatloads arrive.

Come see Venice.

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