Visiting Venice — THE EDGE

Now that travel is becoming more accessible amidst the pandemic, you may begin to consider where your future vacations abroad may be. Italy is a wonderful option because of the wide variety of beautiful places to visit, all easy to fit in your schedule and without the concern of getting on multiple flights. If you’re searching for a dozen beautiful boat rides everyday, more fresh seafood than room in your stomach and colorful streets to stroll through with your friends and family, Venice is the perfect option.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Venice is the lack of roads throughout the island. You’ll never look both ways when crossing the streets because the only form of transportation on the island is by boat. This makes for an amazing way to get around the island because it allows you to see so much on the way to where you're going and take in the beauty of The Venetian Lagoon. These taxis take you anywhere you would want to go during your stay in Venice, and there certainly is a lot to do. In Venice you will find the work of some of the world’s greatest artists, breathtaking architecture, incredible seafood, and plenty of relaxation. Here are a few of our personal recommendations for your visit:

Gondola and Speedboat Tours

If you’re accompanied by one or two people and prefer to float through the canals of The Venetian Lagoon at a slower pace, a gondola ride is one of the best uses of your time. In case you aren’t familiar with the gondola, it is a long, flat rowing boat that is generally operated by one person. Whether it’s in the evening before dinner or the middle of the day, there truly is no bad time to explore the winding canals along with your friends and some charcuterie. Even if you decide not to go yourself, you can’t miss seeing them all day long, no matter where you are on the island.

Another fantastic option if you're looking to hit the open ocean and also slowly ride through the rivers is a speedboat. These charming wooden boats can hold up to ten people at a time and give you a slow, calm tour through the center of the island before turning the speakers up and picking up the pace along the coast. Regardless of which you choose, boat tours truly are the thing not to miss while in Venice.

Window Shopping

Since we haven’t been out of our houses in several months, we think there’s a pretty good excuse for some retail therapy once you finally make it to Venice. The great part about shopping in Venice is that you get a pretty good sense of what’s inside of each store from the window view. Leather stores, for example, cover the island on every other street and you'll find yourself going into most of the ones you pass because each one has unique pieces spotted from the large windows. Strolling through the winding streets also makes a great way to find street art, jewelry and antique vendors, and makes for a wonderful walk through the island.

Eating

You may not consider meals an activity, but in Italy you would be surprised to sit for less than two hours anytime you eat. Sit anywhere along the water for an entertaining meal with stunning views and a cool breeze, get your friends to a rooftop with perfect views of the lagoon from above, or do some research and find one of the many marvelous tiny restaurants hidden in the narrow alleys in the heart of Venice for the most authentic Italian food.

A tip for choosing restaurants: the less you can read on the menu and the fewer photos of the food, the better it’s going to be. Don’t waste your time researching the tourist traps online before your visit, but instead walk around yourself and discover where the famous seafood lies. TikTok has been a wonderful way to check out restaurant options as it allows you to see an accurate representation of what to expect. Regardless of the meal you eat sitting down, you're going to be so full with the three serving of gelato you consume.

Touristy Things

Touristy things are not everyone’s favorite because they are usually very crowded, and this will be especially true in Venice. However, there are a few stops that you should make to experience the architecture and cultural history of the island during your visit. Even if you simply walk through the central square to see Piazza San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica for yourself, it will definitely be worth it.

Whether you want to explore more and climb the Campanile bell tower during your time in the square or choose to avoid the crowded atmosphere, there are absolutely exquisite bucket-list views to cross off during your trip.