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City Of Venice...City Of Love?

16:36 Mon 24th May 2010 |

Venice defies description. Rich in History and bursting with exquisite architecture and character, this city built on piers above a vast amount of water is the perfect romantic setting.

The Italian Job:

It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Visit this unique and captivating city that has to be seen, felt and walked around to be believed, and even then you may feel it is still too good to be true.

With picturesque canals and lanes to wander around hand-in-hand whether it be in the golden glow of late afternoon or in the evening when you will witness Venice at sunset, which can be a marvel of pink-streaked skies. If you get the timing right, there are beautiful sunsets visible from the lagoon shore at the Giardini Pubblici in Castello (vaporetto stop Giardini) or from the park at Sant'Elena, further along the shore. A hot pink sky behind the famous skyline of Venice makes a lovely backdrop for a special moment.

Venice isn’t all cities and crowded frenzied streets. Through the mysterious alleyways leading off from the city, endless mazes of backstreets and deserted squares, you'll find that this city is a perfect place to walk for hours on end, pretending to know where you are or getting lost in the beautiful radiance of the magnificent city.

Venice itself is perhaps best explored by water. Arrive by water taxi into the Piazzetta San Marco to enjoy your first views of St Mark’s Square and Basilica or hire a gondola to discover the narrow back canals and snatch a glimpse of hidden boutique hotels, crumbling mansions and secret passageways. Then cruise down the Grand Canal for some of the best views of the Rialto Bridge and the bustling heart of the city, followed by a tour of the outlying islands of Murano, Torcello, San Michele, Mazzorbo and the Lido di Venezia.

A Little Romance:

Unquestionably one of the most romantic cities for love struck visitors, with the image of an inky-blue sky laden in a full moon and dotted with stars; above a glowing cityscape, seen from a tiled square bordered by Italian words, this truly is the most romantic setting you could ask for.

The city of Venice is always celebrating something, not surprising Venice is particularly busy in the flourishing months of spring, especially around Easter. Venice accommodation can be one of the most difficult things to find around peak time, as well as around Christmas, New Year, and festival Carnevale in February so by booking in advance ensures you won’t be disappointed.

The most extraordinary time of year to visit is late March till May, with clear spring days and fewer crowds. September is also surprising in terms of weather, but October is quieter. Flooding occurs in November and December, and winter can be unpleasantly cold - although seeing Venice under a layer of snow can cast the aura of a fairy tale and provide the most idealistic location for couples.

If you are looking for the upbeat bars and tasty Venice restaurants, you cannot go wrong with the area surrounding Campo di Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro. You will certainly find a wide array of pubs and trendy bars to keep you refreshed and ready to continue exploring. The area is buzzing with life all day as well as night, with market stalls of fresh fish and vegetables and at night is filled with tables outside the cafés and bars so you can sit and enjoy the charming environment that Venice has to offer.

The unique Venice activities you'll discover during a walk around town are plentiful. The now-famous watery villages on rafts of wooden posts driven into the soil laid the foundations for the floating palaces of today. With Verona so nearby a trip to this prosperous city is a must see for all romance lovers, who want to delve into the allure of the place, which was the setting for Romeo & Juliet, a classic romance film. Make your own ending as memorable as the one in the film but with a happier end- with all that Venice has to offer I’m sure that will be easy.

The city is a designated UNESCO world heritage site with a whole host of architectural gems including the Roman amphitheatre (Arena), the Roman theatre, the Lamberti Bell Tower, the Gavi Arch the old city gates and the Romanesque churches. With all these tempting, captivating and romantic attractions and surroundings you'll be sure to live up to the words of Woody Allen- Everyone says I love you, in Venice.

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