Venice, Italy: Exploring the city "Behind The Mask"

Put Venice, Italy on your must visit and re-visit travel list. Of all the Italian cities, the canal-lined city of Venice is pure magic. Built on 118 small islands, which are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges there is nothing like Venice. Moreover, Venice's art, architecture, culture, wine and food are all so amazing. There are always ongoing cultural events, many opportunities to attend an opera, or an orchestra performance. Venice is the pure essence of magical moments and more. Whether you visit for a day, a week or longer you will come to love the city "Behind the Mask". Venice has so much to offer. What follows is but a glimpse.

The many masks of Venice © Spaswinefood

An evening ride down the Grand Canal towards St. Mark's Square © Spaswinefood

Accommodations, restaurants and transportation

Venice is divided into six neighborhoods, each having something unique to offer. On a prior visit we stayed in the San Marco neighborhood near St Mark’s Square. San Marco neighborhood is one of the most popular and tends to get the most visitors. However, for our most recent visit we chose a small hotel on Via Garibaldi in Castello neighborhood, near Pier Arsenale. Castello is a neighborhood where you can get a glimpse into every day Venetian life.

No matter what neighborhood you select you will find so much to explore in Venice. For booking your accommodations you will find helpful online services, such as Tripadvisor. Another option you might consider is to use apartment booking services for a short term rental, such as Views on Venice. You will also find information on restaurants at Travel Guide, NYTimes and Tripadvisor. See also Durant and Cheryl Imboden's Venice for Visitors website. 

Gondola heading down the Grand Canal © Spaswinefood

Dog getting a Gondola ride © Spaswinefood

Visitors to Venice will arrive at Santa Lucia Train Station or Marco Polo Airport. From there most head towards the Grand Canal where they take a water bus or vaporetti into Venice. Other modes of water transportation include water taxis and gondolas. Each time I visit Venice, from the moment I step on the water bus until I leave I feel that I am transported to another place and time. This magical place captures my complete attention. I so love exploring the various Venice neighborhoods. 

Exploring Venice and its many canals © Spaswinefood

Here is what a day in Venice might look like:

Heading towards St. Marks Square from Catello © Spaswinefood

Castello Neighborhood

Just as the full moon started to rise over Venice, we explored the Castello neighborhood. Then as night fell we took dinner at Hostaria All’Ombra, Via Garibaldi. When we arrived at our hotel it was recommended that we dine at the restaurants on the right side of Via Garibaldi. We were quite pleased with Hostaria All’Ombra because we were served good Venetian food, made using fresh produce.

Hostaria All'Ombra © Spaswinefood

Castello Neighborhood  produce shop  © Spaswinefood

Vendors selling produce canal side © Spaswinefood

One Venetian Day

After taking breakfast we walked from the Ca' Formenta Hotel, Via Garibaldi through to Accademia. Venice is a great place for walking. It was a full day’s walk for us. We took in all the sights and sounds along the way. We ate lunch at Caffe Belle Arti near Accademia Bridge. It was great to rest, talk with fellow travelers and take in the view.

Forget the souvenir shops and take in the culture of Venice. Part of the excitement is to explore the uniqueness that pops up along the route.  After asking and searching we did find the mask shop where we shopped last time.  Ca' Macana made the masks for the movie Eyes Wide Shut, with Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. I can not resist buying a mask to add to our mask collection.

Ca' Macana Mask Shop © Spaswinefood

Ca' Macana Mask Shop © Spaswinefood

Another awesome Mask Shop © Spaswinefood

After a full day exploring Venice on foot we returned via the Rialto Bridge to Saint Mark’s Square and then back to our hotel. That evening we took dinner again in the Castello neighborhood. We went this time to the Il Nuovo Galeon. Dining at the Galeon is like being inside a ship.

Il Nuovo Galeon © Spaswinefood

During our walk through Venice it was great to check out the availability of wine at the various enotecas. We also dropped by an enoteca in the Castillo neighborhood where the locals buy their wine.

Time to Leave

All too soon, it was time to head back to the Santa Lucia Train Station. Whether you are take a ACTV water bus ride on the Grand Canal, a gondola ride in the side canals, explore a Venetian neighborhood, or just hang out in St. Marks Square Venice is exciting. Venice can easily draw you back to a time like the Merchants of Venice. Whether you spend a weekend, a week or a month in Venice you will never run out of things to do.

Discover Venice Behind The Mask © Spaswinefood

Venice we will return. Just maybe next time we put on our masks for Carnival. Check out my travels in  Italy and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon
July 2012

California

© Spaswinefood

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