Venice March 2016

Venice has been on my wish list for a number of years and I am not really sure why we have not been before now, so I was very excited to finally have a short break there in March, just before Easter.

Venice is such a pretty city and is easily recognisable from the many movies that are made there. We caught the water bus from the airport which did take a long time as it has many drop offs. If you can stretch to it I would recommend a private water taxi (which I can pre-book).

We stayed in a charming little hotel not far from the Piazza San Marco but Venice has many hotel or apartment options either in the centre, on the Grand Canal or on one of the little islands. As Venice is a walking city you are never that far out and there is a good water bus or water taxi service if required.

We were really struck by the beauty of the buildings in Venice and I really could not get my head around the fact they were "sitting" in water (not very technical I know!)

I would recommend a guided walking tour (can be pre booked) as this gives you a guide to tell you all about the buildings that you are looking at. We also loved walking down a busy little alleyway, turning a few corners and then coming out into another little Piazza with a café for a Latte (or something stronger) to soak up the atmosphere.

With lots of lovely unique shops and check tablecloth covered restaurants, walking across the many little bridges across the waterways and canals, Venice is truly a beautiful city. Don't miss Saint Mark’s Basilica, Bridge of Sighs, Doges Palace, Scala Contarini del Boulou, and The Rialto Bridge. You cannot visit Venice without an iconic gondola ride - all these can be pre-booked before you go to make sure you don't miss anything.

If staying a little longer we would have visited Morano glassblowing or taken a water bus to Venice Lido and explored. We will have to go back.