Weekend break ideas – Venice

Venice is one of the most gorgeous towns in Europe. In my experience it is a completely astonishing destination and is definitely considered to be one of Italy’s riches. It has provided a stimulus for artists, poets, singers and writers for hundreds of years. The architecture including the churches and museums is outstanding, and the value of the treasures that these buildings contain is vast.

Add to this image a slight air of decay, brought on by some of the building subsiding into the water, and the romantic connotations of taking a gondola down the waterway, this has to be one of the most charismastic areas of the world. Plus the fact that there is continual concern about the rising levels of water and the potential impact that this could have on the buildings means that it is increasingly likely that this treasure trove will not remain through our lifetimes.

With Venice being portrayed in countless movies and television shows and this image being embedded into our brains it is still surprising that this City has further surprises in store. With water lapping at the feet of palaces, and lines of boats prepared to whisk you off around the canals, it is the sight over the water from the Palazzo Ducale that really captures the imagination, and a personal favourite of mine.

Venice is an area that is made up of 15 small districts, and was originally formed on a group of 177 islands. There are many walkways that cross the many canals, causing a zigzag effect, most of the walkways and canals are framed by architectural trinkets which serve as a reminder of the city’s former glory as a highly significant business hub connecting East and West.

Aside from the flocks of tourists that crowd around St Marks square and Basilica, the Palazzo Ducale and the Rialto Bridge it is surprisingly easy to quickly get away from the chaos that this creates, within minutes you can easily find a more sedate way of life with incredible examples of architecture in evidence almost constantly.

Venice is definitely a weekend destination, with a combination of windy streets and continual bridges and canals meaning that it is extremely easy to get lost! I’m speaking from experience here! But even whilst lost this is when you can stumble across some further gems in terms of the buildings and museums and the treasures that they hold.

It isn’t cheap, the shops have some fairly garish ornaments as to be expected in any tourist destination and the price of coffee will make you wince! However, for the perfect break in a rare gem it has to be worth a visit!