Here is the image that most people have of Venice, shifting from a sort of open air museum with its historical beauties (it is an open air museum indeed) to something “magic” that needs to be preserved better if it is in a snow globe
In Venice you can find whatever you want for tourists. A lot, but really a lot of objects for tourists, there are more souvenir shops than supermarkets. Tourism is no longer sustainable as it is today. We are paying all the mistakes of the recent past, I would say between 90s and 2000, when whoever had 10 square meters (I am joking, you need more than 10 square meters) changed it in a B&B. Today Venice is becoming an empty town, but for tourists, of course.
Even “acqua alta” is becoming a tourist attraction. Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of “acqua alta”, the correct transalation should be “high tide”, as it is related with the tide, but everybody says “High water” so you can choose. The point is that tourists experiencing “acqua alta” are really happy, it is something unusual for them, but if they saw the “pantegane” ,very big rats, swimming in the water they wouldn’t laugh, trust me ?
Venezia is a real town, it is a labyrinth of small calli and canals, you can get lost easily but it is not a big deal, look for Piazzale Roma, Railway Station or San Marco and you will find your way again. The hidden part is the most beautiful part of the town as you can see in Venice an unconventional view
But it is not all… Venice breathtaking part for me is the lagoon, far from the crowd, here you can have a look of the lagoon, in a bright day you can even see the mountains. The area is not far from Ponte dei tre Archi
Usually I like to lose myself in the “calli” and discover beautiful corners where you can admire the time that seems not to be spent, see the children playing ball in the square! I love this city and thank you for the beautiful photos!
I know what you mean, now I think the period is good enough. Cold but sunny and not so many people. Two more weeks and it will be overcrowded for Carnival.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us.
I love Venice, but it’s been a long time that I’ve visited. Next time I would like to go during the carneval. Do you know how is the weather in February? What are the must-visit places?
Thank you for your story about Venice. For me it was interesting to read another point of view and to understand a bit more about how the local people there feel in the lagoon and how they accept the atmosphere. It’s a bit sad to see that it’s getting empty. I’ve heard also about the awful smell and the rats from my friends who visited Venice recently. It’s a bit disappointing about the salt in Jesolo that is getting less, too. Do you know the reason why Venice and the area is changing so quickly? For me personally is very interesting to know that. I like to read a lot about Venice and I keep following how the things are getting different.
Thank you @ErmesT for tagging me here. Indeed very interesting story, but a bit sad at the same time.
It seems this is the reality. If I stay in Venice for a week or more, I’m sure I’ll face all of these.
I was wondering how Venice looks like when there are not so many tourists? Is there a period of the year when it is not that crowded?
Carnival in Venice is from February 23rd to March 5th this year. I do not know for 2020. In February weather can change suddenly. It can be foggy or sunny and cold.
Must-visit places? Mmmmm… everything?? I would suggest Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco, then Rialto and Campo San Polo. I like Fondamente Nuove too.
And Campo San Stefano and Accademia!!! Ok let me know if you plan to come to Venice, the list is very long!!!
Venice is getting empty and is overcrowded too, it’ s very sad but there are more tourists than locals, it’ s a fact. Venice needs tourism of course but a slight different tourism. Just think about the HUGE cruise ships entering Bacino San Marco. This problem is going to be solved (apparentely) by banning ths ships from that area. The impact on the ecosystem is devastating.
Thanks for your reply. Venice is really wonderful place for a visit. As I mentioned before I would like to spend more time there, not only few hours, just to be able to feel what the local people feel. I hope I’ll have the chance to visit Croatia for the summer season and to come to Venice again. In my memories so far, Venice is an amazing place. I hope the situation with the ships coming to Bacino San Marco will be improved soon.
Do you live close to Venice? Maybe you could recommend me some good places which are not so famous among tourists and which are hidden treasures. The Murano island and the part Lido are not familiar to me.
I only remember that someone mentioned to me that they produce glass in Murano and the other island Burano is famous with the lace making. Is this still something that the local people do there?
yes I am close to Venice, 20 minutes in “Terra Ferma”, the area that is not part of the lagoon.
You can still visit Murano and its glass factories and Burano for lace making. I would suggest the island of Torcello and the Armenian Island - San Lazzaro. San Lazzaro, as far as I know, is not open to the public but you can book a private tour.
In Venice personally I like the area of Jewish Ghetto and the area close to the University Ca’ Foscari
It is great that you live very close to Venice. I would be happy to meet you when I come for a visit.
Island Torcello and the San Lazzaro degli Armeni look really interesting! I just saw that there is a monastery on the Armenian island. Do you know the reason why it is closed for tourists?
P.S. Please add the Google Maps links of the locations that you would like to share, instead of links from websites. It’s just a reminder for you.
Also I suggest you, Katya, to keep half a day free, for visiting Treviso. It is at 20 minutes by train to Venice, you can find a cheapest and beautiful accommodation, and …
Can you resist to my two magic words? Prosecco and Tiramisu?
Now you made me smile and you definitely caught my attention with the Prosecco and Tiramisu
Thanks a lot for the warm words! It’s just a matter of better organisation for me to see when exactly I’ll have the time to visit Venice, because actually I wanted to go to Croatia for the summer like I’ve mentioned to @AntonellaGr earlier. But in any case, I’ll let you know if I stop by close to Treviso.
