Venice, The Serenissima, This is the trip we have given ourselves to celebrate our 20 years of married life with MrSirban. It is more exactly an idea of my Beloved, who fell under the spell of the City of the Doges about thirty years ago during a business trip. For my part, I have a lot of prejudices about this city. I oscillate between skepticism and reluctance about the romanticism of the praline – I'm not – and mass tourism – It horrifies me -.
Publications in photos and videos
Sexy on the water : Bridges and canals
Exhibit on the most touristic places in the city
Naughty gondola exhibit… not very discreet !
Flashing and exhib hot in color in Burano
The journey in a nutshell
I was full of prejudices and I was won over. When we got off the water taxi, the architectural beauty of the Cité , captivated me. To describe the first impression : “Oh firecracker ! 'D ! It's Tarpin Good looking ! “. I didn't say Tarpin But that expression makes me laugh ! We took the time to prepare for the trip. We didn't have any difficulties all week.
- Along the water… at the whim of the feet !
In Venice, Everything is done on foot, really all : Deliveries, garbage collectors, Factors… and visits ! No motorized vehicles are allowed. Cars are not allowed. The configuration of the city does not lend itself to this. To get around, There are some :
- Vaporetto : ACTV Group water buses. Buy tickets directly on site, It's the easiest.
- traghetto : Boats to go to the other side of a canal. There aren't enough bridges !
- Water taxis : We took some for the airport-hotel transfers. It's convenient but not cheap.
- Your feet are well shod !
- Mass tourism : Very localized
If mass tourism infuriates you as much as we do, Fear not ! It focuses on ultra-touristic places (Palate, Basilica, Bridges). I strongly advise you to book your tickets on the websites of the monuments to save yourself… 2 3 hours off the line. This is not a Marseillaise-style estimate ! Outside of these areas, You only have to move a few meters away to be quiet. The alleys and canals are very quiet.
- Romanticism… The charm of old stones
You're not a fan of the romance of the praline and other candy pink nunucheries… There are two of us ! To the Piazza, Rare restaurant owners play songs that reek of love. This is very anecdotal. You think the canals smell like mud ? We left at the end of April during the week of the Italian National Day. The temperatures are spring-like and the city doesn't smell anything. It doesn't even smell like the tide when we're surrounded by a lagoon.
- Gastronomy : Delizioso !
Them Pasta al stew are to die for (Pasta with duck meat and pecorino cheese). The Venetian-style calf's liver speciality is delicious, I ate it every day ! Fish are famous. Italian cheese is on par with French cheese… I never thought I'd write this one day. The famous Tiramisu, Spritz or Martini have nothing to do with what we consume in France. It's better !
- The Temptation of Venice : touchdown – sunk !
The architecture is amazing. The brushstrokes of the Grandmasters, such as Tintoretto or Veronese, are visible on the walls and ceilings of buildings. The city has a soul and exudes a wonderful charm. History and culture are everywhere. Many Venetians speak French. They are very charming. Many of them kissed my hands or complimented me. Nothing tendentious, they are seductive. After all, the city was the birthplace of Casanova. No doubt about it, We chose the ideal period by leaving in the spring. Fall is a good option as well. Avoid summer !
To quote Truman Capote : “Venice, It's like eating an entire box of liqueur chocolates in one go“. There is the intoxication of the senses kept awake by the majesty of the monuments, Gastronomic delights rich in flavours and scents, Lapping water, the verve of the Venetians, The sweetness of life and the harshness of the stones… As soon as they left, We're already dreaming of going back.
The right advice
- Choose the right period : June to August, It's guaranteed mass tourism, as well as during the Carnival period ! Hoteliers and restaurateurs were asked, 'Cause we'd like to come back. April-May and September-October are a little less dense and recommended.
- Book tickets to the monuments on the official websites : You'll save yourself 2 3 hours of queuing without exaggeration. The queues are mind-blowing for those who have not planned the slots. It takes some organization before you leave.
- Plan a good budget : Prices are high ! We had fun for our 20 years, But the cost of living is expensive. Everything has to be paid for, including the entrance to the churches. There is a “Bulk Ticket Book”, It can be cost-effective.
- put on good shoes : Absolutely everything is done on foot. If you're tired of walking, There are the Vaporetto (Water Bus : ACTV Network). It can save you a few kilometres.
- The price of the gondolas is set by the city : 80 € for 30mn. If you see more expensive on the internet, It's a trick !
- There's no need to book your gondola : They are legion. You will find them on site near the ultra-touristic places (Bridges, Seats…) and in small canals.
- No need to book the island tour : The Line 12 of Vaporetto (ACTV Network) takes you there for a low fee and there are them all the time. It's 15 € round trip and it's fast.
- Quiet schedules : before 9 a.m. and after 6:30 p.m., The city is eerily quiet. The mass of tourists often spend the day or stay outside to avoid the extra cost of the Serenissima City.
