On paintings, Venice is always represented as a young, beautiful woman, and tradition wants her to be married with the sea. In fact, among the numerous festivals Venice has during the year, there’s a specific event recalling this marriage – the Festa della Sensa, also known as The Marriage of the Sea.

We mentioned the Festa della Sensa in our blog post about all the Venice events you can’t miss, but to find out more about this important celebration, we need to dig a little bit more into its history, starting with the meaning of its name.

What does Festa della Sensa mean?

In Venetian dialect, the word “Sensa” means Assumption. In fact, the festival takes place on the day of Jesus’s Assumption, which is always 40 days after Easter.

In the past, the celebration commemorated two important events for the Republic of Venice – the positive intervention of Doge Pietro II Orseolo against Slavs, who were threatening Dalmatian people, and the signing of the Treaty of Venice by Doge Sebastiano Ziani, Pope Alexander III, and the Holy Roman Emperor, and Frederick Barbarossa.

How does the marriage of the sea work?

The Marriage of the Sea ceremony is performed every year in the Venetian lagoon, even if the Serenissima Republic doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a ritual Venetians really love because the relationship between the city and sea is eternal – after all Venice is built on water, isn’t it?

But let’s see how this celebration works: the Doge in charge had to drop a consecrated ring into the sea, while pronouncing a phrase in Latin, which was “Desponsamus te, mare, in signum veri perpetuique domini” (“We wed thee, sea, as a sign of true and everlasting domination”[3]). In this way, Venice was officially consecrated to the sea, becoming one with it.

The programme of the Sensa Festival in Venice

The programme for the Sensa Festival takes place over two days – the 1st and the 2nd of June.
On June 1st, celebrations take place 5 pm at the Doge’s Palace, but only upon invitation. Inside the Sala dello Scrutinio, the twinning ceremony with the Adriatic Cities of Croatia will be celebrated, together with the award ceremony for the ‘Osella d’oro della Sensa 2019′. (The Osella is a precious coin given to institutions, private and public associations that have increased the prestige of Venice).

On the next day, June 2nd, at 9am, boats will start gathering in St. Mark’s Basin to proceed towards S. Nicolò di Lido at 9.30. At 10.30 am there’ll be the Marriage of the Sea ceremony and at 11 am a performance by the Coro Serenissima will take place in front of the Church of San Nicolò at the Lido.

To conclude the day, a Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Church of San Nicolò at 11.30 am.
There’s one last thing we would like to share with you, a traditional Venetian expression related to this festival. In fact, there’s a saying that Venetians still use, “andar a la sensa”. This can be literally translated with “go to la Sensa” but it actually means “going slow”, because of the long queues Venetians had to do to reach St. Mark’s on the Assumption Day. Cool saying, isn’t it?

If you happen to be in Venice on the third Sunday of July, you’ll be lucky to attend one of the most important celebrations in the city: The Redentore Festival.

We have already talked about this event in a previous article, revealing the best places where watch the Redentore fireworks, and if you have read it you already know a bit of its history. But, this time we are going to dig deeper into the facts, discovering why this celebration is still so important for Venetians like the Madonna della Salute Festival, which is based on a similar event.

Where does the Redentore Festival come from?

To answer this question, we need to travel back to the second half of the sixteenth century, to the year 1575, when Venice was hit by a terrible plague.
Alvise Mocenigo was the Doge at the time, and we have to say that his time in office wasn’t so lucky, if we may say so. In fact, just a years before the plague, a fire destroyed part of the Doge’s Palace, and an extraordinary high tide flooded Venice. Not really a good time for Venetians and for the poor Doge Mocenigo, who had to deal with the unhappy population.
But no one can stop the plague, not even Alvise Mocenigo, who helped the Pope defeat the Turkish fleet at Lepanto, in 1573. The plague showed no mercy, causing about 50.000 deaths and putting Venice on its knees, begging for the Lord’s salvation.
And so it was. The Doge, together with his Council, decided that if the plague left the city, a church would be built. And this is what happened. The Redentore church was built in 1576, a year after the epidemic was defeated.

From that year on, Venetians remember this event with a pilgrimage to the church through a bridge made of boats which is built for the occasion, and an amazing fireworks display above St. Mark’s basin.

The programme for the Redentore Feast Day

If the Festival of the Most Holy Redeemer is on Sunday, the pilgrimage starts the day before, together with the fireworks display.
The appointments to attend on Sunday are three:

• At 4 pm Regatta of “pupparini” boats with two oars (just for young people)
• At 4.45 pm, Regatta of “pupparini” boats with two oars
• At 5.30 pm, Regatta of gondolas with 2 oars

To finish the day, at 7 pm a Mass is celebrated inside the Redentore Church.

We are sure you already heard something about the Redentore Festival in Venice and its fabulous fireworks, but now you also know about its history, after reading this article.

We hope we gave you some information you didn’t know about this incredible day in Venice, the only day during the year when St. Mark’s basin is full of Venetian boats, decorated for the occasion and full of people who want to have a good time and celebrate this long-running festival.

As you may know, many regattas take place in Venice during the year, and the Vogalonga is one of them. You’ve probably heard or read something about the most ancient and famous one of them all, the Historical Regatta, but we assure you that the Vogalonga also has a nice backstory.
To know more about its origins, we need to travel back in time to 1974, when a group of passionate Venetian rowers organized a small, friendly regatta on “mascareta” boats (a traditional light Venetian boat). Venetian people appreciated that initiative so much, that it became a regular appointment for all the enthusiasts of Venetian rowing.
Actually, the main reason why this event became so popular is tied to the desire of Venetians to maintain ancient Venetian traditions alive and fight against the decline of the city, due to the waves caused by the motorboats.

Venetians aren’t the only ones who attend the race. Since the very first time the Vogalonga took place, many people from Chiogga, Caorle, Padua, Treviso, and other cities came to Venice to be part of this incredible event.
Numerous boats reached St. Mark’s basin on May 8, 1975, ready to start the race and give a strong message to the government. Venetians were ready to fight for their city, with unusual weapons – their oars.

What does “Vogalonga” mean and why is it the name of the race?

“Vogalonga” is a term that comes from Venetian dialect, and it’s composed of two words – “Voga” and “longa”, where the former means “rowing” and the latter means “long”. We can translate the word with “long rowing race”, as participants have to row for 30km, between canals and islands.
We said it’s a non-competitive race, but we didn’t say it isn’t hard!
The Vogalonga rowing race is more recent than the Historical Regatta, but the main purpose here is having fun celebrating the ancient Venetian rowing style, living the city among locals.

All you need to know about the Venice Vogalonga 2019

The race starts in St. Mark’s Basin, just like the very first time Vogalonga took place in Venice.
Then, the itinerary touches some of the lesser-known Venetian islands such as Vignole, San Francesco del Deserto, and Sant’Erasmo.
Burano and Murano islands are the next ones to be reached, then the race finishes crossing the Grand Canal, with all its beautiful mansions on both sides.

This year the Vogalona will take place on May, the 19th, you find all info on the official website of the race, where you also find out how to sign up.

We just have a question for you: can you row like a Venetian? Go then, and experience one of the Venice events locals are most passionate about!

Venice is full of unique shopping opportunities, but only if you know where to go.
We’ve already talked about where to go shopping in Venice, but that was more of a general guide, this is why we are would like this post to focus on a specific kind of shopping – vintage shopping.
Everyone knows that Venice is a paradise for those who love fashion, but most people do n’t know that this is not just a place for masks and expensive clothes or accessories, but also for something truly unique.
Let’s find out where to go vintage shopping in Venice through the list of shops we selected for you.

L’armadio di Coco

Campo Santa Maria Nova and Campo Santa Maria del Giglio

The name of this tiny shop translated into English sounds like “Coco’s closet”, and once you’re inside, you can tell that is like being inside a splendid vintage wardrobe.
It’s an authentic Venetian family business, run by Arianna and her daughter. Both of them are passionate about vintage, and they never stop traveling around the world searching for new items, bags, and clothes from the past.
At the moment, they have two shops in Venice, one in Campo Santa Maria Nova and another one in Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, but the latter is more about luxury vintage products than the former.

Libreria Miracoli di Vascon Claudio

Campo Santa Maria Nova

This place is magical and smells of paper and cardboard. If you love old postcards, books, and prints, this is the right place to do some vintage shopping, not fashion but history related.
You’ll find yourself stopping by boxes full of ancient things you couldn’t imagine, that Claudio positions outside the bookshop every day, in Campo Santa Maria Nova. His shop is like a magnet, and you can’t fight against it, you’ll have to explore inside eventually!

La Stanza delle Sorprese

Near Campo Sant’Angelo

“The Surprise Room” is the next shop in the list, and Rossella, the owner, gave it this name for a very specific reason… In fact, in this shop, you can find pretty much anything you can imagine, from a 19th-century lamp to typical Italian Ceramics – and no doubt, you’ll be surprised!
Since it’s located on the way between to St. Mark’s Square, it’s usually crowded, but it is definitely worth a visit.

Bisnonni

Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini

Another place we recommend for vintage shopping in Venice is Bisnonni, a shop situated in Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini, not far from Rialto Bridge (just a gondola-ride away from our hotel).
It’s a vintage fashion shop, where you can buy any kind of clothes you need, moreover, it’s larger than those we’ve presented before, so you can spend inside as much time as you want (and need) without having to worry about crowds.

Paolo Olbi

3253/A, Dorsoduro, Venezia

To conclude our virtual tour of Venice vintage shops, we would like you to come into Paolo Olbi’s shop to discover a world of paper and leather.
Paolo and his team produce gift articles in leather and marmorized paper. If you have to buy a souvenir for someone who’s passionate about handcrafted creations, like clipboards, phone books, photo albums or photo frames, this is the place to go.
Paolo Olbi is an institution in Venice, his shop has been open since 1962 and everything he sells is unique. Can you tell how precious a gift like this would be?

Now that you know where to go vintage shopping in Venice, have you decided where to head to first?

Did you know that there’s a flea market in Venice? Most people don’t, except for Venetians of course, but it’s something that you need to see if you come to the city when it’s open.
We are talking about the San Maurizio flea market, located in the “campo” (small square) of the same name, on the way to St. Mark’s Square, not far from the Accademia bridge.
The campo where the flea market takes place is famous because that’s where you’ll find Carlo Goldoni’s house – the well-known Venetian comedy writer, who lived here from 1803 to 1804 – and Palazzo Zaguri, a magnificent building that usually hosts interesting and unique exhibitions.

What to buy at the San Maurizio flea Market?

To be honest, it will be hard not to find something to buy here. At the San Maurizio Flea Market, you’ll find old books, prints, unique pieces of furniture and paintings from the period between the 17th and 20th centuries.
You’ll be surprised to see how many unusual things you can buy here, especially if you’re looking for a souvenir to take home, or you’re just in the mood for some vintage shopping.
The pity is that the San Maurizio Flea Market happens to be open just five times a year, so you’ll be lucky if you get the chance to see it during your holidays in Venice.
The market was created in 1970, and since then it has always been organized in the exact same way until today. It’s a tradition that every seller from the whole country respects and protects.
Getting lost among the stands is part of the game. Take a couple of hours to experience this incredible moment for the city and live the real Venice, made of people who love their hometown.

When does the San Maurizio Flea Market take place?

To find out when the market will be open, you can visit the official San Maurizio Flea Market website .

Venice Carnival wasn’t always like the one we are used to today. In fact, Carnival time in Venice was longer and the mood was different, and the Venetian carnival masks were fewer than those we see today among the streets.
We have already talked about the history of the Venetian Carnival, but we have never faced the topic of the masks.
As you know, Venice Carnival was the only time when the lower and upper classes mingled together, hiding behind the same costumes and masks. But what are the traditional Venice Carnival masks? Let’s find out more about them in this article.

The traditional Venetian Carnival Mask: La Bauta

The so-called Bauta is the only true Venetian mask found at the Carnival. It’s quite a simple mask actually, completely different from those you can buy from shops in Venice. In fact, the Bauta has no feather, no colors, and no particular shape.
This unique mask is always white and can cover up your whole face – its purpose was just hiding people’s faces, to make everyone look the same.
Carnival was a period of parties and amusement, of course, but it was also a moment of equality, that’s why everyone used to wear the same masks.
To complete the Venice Carnival costume that includes the Bauta, you should also wear the so-called tabarro, a warm and heavy black cloak Venetians used to wear every day to protect themselves from the cold winter.

The second traditional Venetian Carnival Mask: La Moretta

The Moretta mask is an intriguing one, and only women could wear it. It’s a simple mask too, in term of shape, but it’s black and not white.
Its peculiarity is hidden behind the mask itself, in order to wear it, women had to hold a button between their teeth. This makes the person behind the Moretta mask even more mysterious because she (or maybe he?) couldn’t speak without taking it off.
Venetian men loved this mask, probably because their romantic affairs became more challenging, without knowing who they were talking to. Or perhaps there was another reason… maybe Venetians women used to talk too much?

The Plague Doctor’s mask? This is why isn’t a traditional Venice Carnival mask

Even though this mask is very famous around the world, it isn’t a traditional Venice Carnival mask and we’ll tell you why. You might know that Venice struggled with plague for years in the past, but despite the great medical knowledge Venetians had, they didn’t know how to defeat this epidemic. The only thing they knew was how the infection worked, this why they invented the Plague Doctor’s mask.
The long beak on the mask was filled with aromatic herbs, to protect the doctor form the airborne disease. At this point, you might want to know more about how Venetians faced the plague problem, so we suggest reading our articles about the Festa-day of Madonna della Salute and the Redentore Feast.
By the way, as you see, this mask has nothing to do with Venice Carnival, but it’s definitely one of the most peculiar and fascinating masks of the Venetian history.

If you want to know everything about Venice events in 2019, you’re in the right place. Venice has always been an active city, where festivals, traditions, and exhibitions happen in all seasons, and 2019 will be no different.
We have collected here all the events taking place in Venice during 2019, dividing them by season. Let’s start with the events you can attend in Venice in winter.

Venice events in winter 

Winter is not only Christmas time in Venice, but also Carnival time. From February 16 to March 5 Venice will be covered in confetti and streamers, and the bakeries will be full of Frittelle, Galani, and Castagnole.
During Carnival, there are many events to attend, starting with the Venice Feast on the Water, that opens the Carnival season, the Flight of the Angel and the several masquerade balls organized inside majestic Venetian mansions.
Don’t forget to add all these appointments to your agenda, because living Venice at Christmas and during Carnival is really unforgettable.

Read also: Venice Carnival: how to live it at its best

Venice events in spring 

Spring is the best time to visit Venice since the weather is sunny and pleasant and people feel comfortable being outside. Moreover, spring is the season of the Venice Biennale, and when many exhibitions open along with the Biennale collateral events.
April is the month that celebrates St. Mark, protector of Venice, on the 25th. Get ready to see many red rose buds, because, on that day, Venetians celebrate love too.
If you come to Venice in June, you’ll have the chance to attend one of the most important traditional Venice events: the Vogalonga rowing race.

Venice events in summer 

Summer is a time when many important events take place, such as the Sensa Festival, to remember the traditional marriage between Venice and the sea, and the Redentore Fest, a traditional festival in the city that Venetians care a lot about. On that day, you’ll see many boats sailing down the Grand Canal to reach St. Mark’s Basin, where they dock and wait for the firework display to start. Be sure to find a place to watch the fireworks for the Redentore in time, if you want to enjoy the show.
Summer is also the time of the Venice International Film Festival, a mandatory appointment for all those who love movies and the red carpet.
Last but not least, on the first Sunday of September, there’s another important rowing race called the Historical Regatta, an event that Venetians truly love.

Venice events in fall 

Fall is the season of traditions, in fact, on November 21st, Venetians celebrate the Madonna della Salute, remembering the terrific plague that brought Venice to its knees in the past.
If you have the chance to feel what this event means for Venetian people, you’ll probably understand their deep feelings and culture.
In October, before the day dedicated to the Madonna della Salute, the yearly marathon also takes place.
Anyone can participate, including you and your family.

Are you ready to pack your bags and come to Venice once for each of the four seasons?

What should you wear at the Venice opera house La Fenice? This is a question our guests always ask us, when they are about to spend a night in Venice, at the most beautiful theatre we have in town.
We would like to make this easier for you, by telling you all about the dress code at La Fenice in this article. However, before exploring this topic, we would like to tell you more about the history of this incredible temple of music in Venice.
Paying a visit to La Fenice Theatre is definitely something you should add to your Venice schedule, since it played an important role in the world of music during the nineteenth century, and also because it is surely worth a visit.
You’ll be struck by the beauty you’ll see inside.

La Fenice Theatre in Venice: a theatre that was actually reborn from its ashes  

It’s not by chance that the Venice opera house is called “La Fenice” (The Phoenix) if we investigate deep down into its past.
La Fenice was built in 1792, opening to the public in time for La Sensa Feast in May, with I giuochi d’Agrigento written by Giovanni Paisiello. Initially, there was no royal box at La Fenice, but when Napoleon conquered Venice it became necessary to build one so that the emperor could properly attend the opera.
This wasn’t the only change La Fenice had – the theatre was completely renovated between 1825 and 1828. Unfortunately, in 1836, a fire caused by a malfunctioning stove partially destroyed the theatre, including a portion of the stage. It was rebuilt the following year.
Then the theatre was renovated again in 1936, but then in 1996 an arsonist entirely destroyed it.  
When the St. Mark’s Bell Tower collapsed in 1902, Venetians rebuilt it “as it was, where it was”, as they said, and so they did with the Venice opera house.
As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so did the theatre. The building we see today is a perfect copy of the original La Fenice opera house, so it won’t be weird saying that you’ll probably feel the same way as our Venetian relatives did when they stepped in for the first time.

Dress Code for La Fenice the Venice opera house

Let’s get into the heart of this article now, learning what the perfect outfits are for a night at La Fenice Theatre.
First of all, what you wear is strictly connected to what kind of event you are about to attend. In fact, there are rules for afternoon performances, and for the Opening of the Opera or Concert Season.
To be specific, you’re always expected to look smart, even when you’re wearing something casual. People wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts are never allowed inside the theatre, no matter what is on stage.
During the Opening Opera or Concerts Season wearing a shirt, with a tie and a jacket is warmly recommended. For the afternoon performances, instead, you can wear anything smart-casual.

Now that you know everything about the Dress Code at the Venice opera house, why not buy a ticket and spend an incredible night in one of the most enchanting theatres in the world?

Read also: Venice for couples: 5 specials things to do

Despite all the romantic but boring things you can do on Valentine’s Day in Venice, there are many other more unusual things you can plan, to make your stay with your partner really unforgettable.

We love to be part of our guests’ plan to surprise their partners, helping them organize the best Valentine’s Day ever, so here are a couple of ideas we have to make that day really special.
We would like to surprise your better half with something unexpected, something more than a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers in your room at your arrival – even though we’d be more than happy to do that too! It’s always pleasant to receive such a surprise at the beginning of a romantic weekend. Here’s what we thought.

A romantic dinner in a Venetian palace with live music 

This will definitely not be your run-of-the-mill dinner, it will be “the” dinner.
Imagine you two sitting at a table, sipping a glass of white wine, surrounded by shining Murano glass chandeliers and colored frescoes, while a small orchestra is playing Jazz. Isn’t it the perfect setting? Your partner will probably expect you to book a romantic place for dinner on Valentine’s Day, so… do you think there’s anything more romantic than this?

Our “I Love You” special package

As we said before, having your partner find a bunch of flowers and some chocolates in your room upon your arrival is always a good idea, but what about adding some more romanticism? We created this “I Love You” package not just for Valentine’s Day, but for any day of the year because we know how important the time you’ll spend here is.
If you’re interested in surprising your better half with more than a bottle of wine, just visit our “special offers” section.

A night out at La Fenice Theatre, the Venice opera house

If you want an ‘old style’ night out, or you both love opera, maybe you can think about surprising your partner with tickets for La Fenice Theatre.
Be sure to bring the right clothes, according to the dress code at this legendary Venice opera house, tell your partner to pack something smart for the occasion.
There’s no need to say what kind of occasion will be, just say it will be thrilling.
If you need any help to reserve your seats, we will be happy to book them for you.

A private photo shoot to have a memory of your Valentine’s Day in Venice

Venice is the perfect setting for a photo shoot, especially a romantic one. You can take your own pictures while visiting the city, but in most of them, you won’t be the only people in it. Instead, in a private photo shoot, you will be the protagonists.
It will be a nice way to create a memory about you and your significant other, celebrating Valentine’s Day in the most romantic city in the world, don’t you think?
These are just some suggestions to help you live the best Valentine’s Day of your life in Venice – an unusual, original, classy and very, very romantic experience. This will be one of those holidays you will never forget.

We could start this article about shopping in Venice with a simple list of souvenir shops located in the most famous areas of the city, but we won’t.
If you’re looking for a place to buy expensive clothes or accessories designed by some famous brands such as Gucci or Bottega Veneta, you can simply walk to St. Mark’s Square, since the streets around the Piazza are all dedicated to this kind of shopping.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something unusual, and different from a typical souvenir like a magnet or a straw gondolier hat, here are some small but original shops you might want to pay a visit to.

Shopping in Venice: the model boat shop

As you probably know, the strength of Venice during the time of the Serenissima Republic was mainly based on its naval power. The Arsenale, where the boats were built, was like a fortress, and its duty was preserving Venetian secrets about the construction of its invincible vessels.
Now, the time of glory has passed, and the secrets have all been revealed, but you can still feel the emotion of creating a Venetian ship by yourself – just buy a model at Gilberto Penzo’s shop, called Venice Boats.
If you’re not a fan of ancient galleons, you can opt for something easier like a vaporetto or a gondola instead. Gilberto will help you choose the right boat for you, or for the lucky person who will receive this wonderful gift.

Address: Calle Seconda dei Saoneri, 2691, 30125 Venezia VE

Buy something to help people live a new life

This shop is really unusual, since it sells bags and other things like wallets or document cases made by the prisoners in Santa Maria Maggiore, Venice’s penitentiary. Everything you find here is unique, since each product is handmade and there’s no machine that can make a copy of it. Buying a souvenir here means bringing home a one-of-a-kind object that nobody else can have and show. Moreover, you’re respecting and helping the environment, because everything is made by using cast-off advertising banners and PVC truck tarps.
Have you ever thought that doing some shopping in Venice could be a way to actually do something good for other people?

Address: Fondamenta Frari, 2559, 30125 Venezia VE

A book is always a good gift to bring home

There are several famous bookbinders in Venice, mainly because of the history of our city, which shows Venice as the center of typography for several years in the past.
Legatoria Polliero is one of the many bookbinders in Venice, where you can find a handmade notebook, created according to the tradition of ancient Venetian bookbinders.
The smell you will experience here, at the Ebrù shop or at Olbi Paolo’s “Bottega” (other two bookbinders in Venice) is something you’ll remember forever, the scent of paper with a twist of leather.
Do you want something really Venetian as a souvenir? A bookbinder is the right place to find it.

Legatoria Polliero Address: Calle del Scaleter, 2995, 30125 Venezia VE

Ebrù Shop Address: Campo Santo Stefano, 347, 30124 Venezia VE

Olbi Paolo’s Shop Address: Address: 3253/A, Dorsoduro, Venezia, VE 30123

Take home a piece of Venice Carnival

Venice is full of souvenirs shops selling masks, but most of them are low-quality ones. If you want to take home the best souvenir that will really remind you of Venice and its spirit, you should definitely opt for a mask – but a real, traditional one!
Ca’ Macana is a good place to go, a laboratory and mask shop, where masks are created by hand and you can try to make one yourself, too.
The truth is that what you find in this shop can only be bought here, because not every mask is sold online through their website. Would you really want to miss the chance to take a unique Venetian piece of art to your place?

Address: Dorsoduro, 3172, 30123 Venezia VE

Venice at Christmas time is magical.
The city is covered by shining lights and decorations, the atmosphere is so warm and sweet (thanks to all those biscuits, cakes and sweets you can buy pretty much everywhere) that your mood won’t be affected by the cold temperatures.
Venice in winter is completely different compared to summer, mainly because of the weather, since in winter the city is embraced by mist almost every day, but it’s still so beautiful and unique that we are never fed up with it.
There’s a lot of things to do at Christmas in Venice, let’s have a look at the most important and curious events for Christmas and New Year’s Eve that you can enjoy during your stay.

Venice at Christmas: where to find the markets

Venice is a Christmas market kind of city, even if many people can’t imagine this is the case Usually, in Campo San Polo, not far from Rialto bridge, there are many stands where you can find some unique presents to bring back home as a Christmas souvenir from Venice, and you can always delight your palate with some yummy sweets.
If you feel like taking the train or the bus you can reach Mestre, the closest city to Venice, and spend a day among its Christmas Markets and shows, especially if you’re traveling with children.

Skating rink in Campo San Polo

Even if you’re traveling to Venice with no kids, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t spend an hour at the skating rink in Campo San Polo. It’s a way to remember how Christmas was when we were children, waiting for the snow to fall and turn everything white, wearing ice skates just to try them once and breathing that unique atmosphere that only Christmas can create.

Ballet at Teatro Goldoni

Another thing we love to do in Venice at Christmas time is going to the theatre, and if it’s snowing outside it’s even more romantic.
The Goldoni theatre is not as beautiful as La Fenice, but it’s still a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours, immersed in music and culture.
This year, for example, Swan Lake will be on stage on December 26, performed by the Moscow State Classical Ballet.
Maybe going to the theatre is something you don’t usually do, but Christmas time in Venice is a good time to do it – not to mention that you’ll be attending the show inside the oldest theatre in the city.

Concert at Scuola Grande di San Teodoro

If you love concerts, you can’t miss those played by I Musici Veneziani, an orchestra formed by some of the best Venetian musicians and singers, which was established in 1996 to keep the memory of the Serenissima during its most splendid period alive.
Every year, for New Year’s Eve, this group of artists organizes a concert at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro, located halfway between Rialto and St. Mark’s Square, that it is really worth attending. You can read more about it and possibly buy tickets on the official website of I Musici Veneziani.

Santa Claus Run for Charity

Imagine Venice full of Santas running all over the city!
If you want to do something for charity at Christmas time and having fun doing it, there’s a run you can join in Venice, on December 16. With a symbolic 10 euro contribution, you’ll get a Santa Claus costume, and something to eat at the end of the run.
It’s a way to experience Venice differently and meet other people who share the same desire of doing something nice for those who can’t live Christmas as we do.

New Year’s Eve in St. Mark’s Square

How could we fail to mention the greatest New Year’s Eve event in Venice? Every year a wonderful party takes place in the most beautiful ballroom in Europe: St. Mark’s Square.
After a long live concert in the square, that you can attend for free, there’s a midnight firework display to welcome the new year.
Don’t expect a firework show like the one taking place during the Redentore’s feast, which is absolutely the most beautiful one, but we can assure you that watching the New Year’s firework display coloring the night is something you’ll remember forever.

As far as cities go, Venice is definitely one of a kind, and this should be enough to answer questions like “Is Venice worth visiting?”! However, we perfectly know that things have changed in the last few years, and many people are starting to wonder whether or not Venice is worth a stop.

We know that it might be crowded, especially if you visit it during Carnival or in summer, but we can assure you that Venice is absolutely worth visiting and we’re going to explain here 5 reasons why you definitely should see it at least once in your life.

1. Venice is worth visiting simply because it’s unique

There’s no doubt about it, of course. Venice is a city you won’t find anywhere else on earth. It’s a city built on water, with incredible architecture all around, and a lot of stories to tell.
Every corner reveals tales and details to photograph, and you won’t get bored walking through its labyrinthic streets, discovering new buildings and curiosities.
Venice represents a different concept of living, where there are no cars, but only boats and people walking across its bridges.
You might not like spending your day walking around and visiting museums, but what about cuisine? Here’s an article about Venetian traditional food, that will convince you to come to Venice just to try it!

2. Where else can you experience a gondola ride?

Ok, Las Vegas has gondolas, but would you really say that going on a gondola there, is the same as being in Venice? We don’t think so.  
And if you think that a gondola ride in Venice will be too expensive, there are at least three or four reasons why it is worth it, which we have listed in this article of our blog. 

3. It’s the only city in the world that takes you back in centuries

Venice hasn’t changed. Ever since its birth, Venice was a city built on water, where the only way to reach a place was by boat, or on foot.
Today, it’s exactly the same.
If you visit Milan, Rome or any other city in Italy (or even in the world), you’ll notice that the past exists side by side with modernity. In Venice, this only happens during the Biennale – elsewhere in Venice, you’ll be surrounded by its glorious past.

4. Are you dreaming of something? In Venice, you can find it

Even though we said that Venice is stuck in the past, it doesn’t mean that you won’t find what you’re looking for.
If you feel like spending a day shopping, you are spoiled for choice, if you want to dedicate your holiday to art and history there’s no better city than this. Do you like gambling? In Venice, there’s the first casino in Europe.

5. Venice is for art and history lovers

If you’re still not convinced that Venice is worth visiting, we suggest you spend a bit of time discovering how many things you can see related to culture and art, even though the articles of our blog. Venice is the cradle of art, it’s the city where movies like The Tourist were filmed, it’s the city of the Biennale and where the International Film Festival takes place every year.

What else you need? Maybe just some tips to get around Venice easily, without getting lost!

Everyone knows that getting around Venice is not easy.

With all its “calli”, “campi”, “rii” and “fondamente” is hard to understand where to go without a map or a tool that help you find your way.
But having a map or an app helping you find your way out of the Venetian labyrinth is not enough if you don’t know the meaning of the Venice toponomy.
Here’s why we start our article explaining the meaning of all the words we mentioned before.

Getting around Venice: the real name of Venetian streets

When in Venice, you won’t hear a single person call a road “street”, just because that is not their right name.
“Calle” is the term we use to indicate a street between two walls. Instead, a “fondamenta” is a street that has a canal on one of its sides.
If you find yourself walking in a “rio”, you’re actually crossing a street which was a canal in the past.
Last but not least, when you see or hear the word “campo” it means that you are in a square, but it’s not called so because the only square in Venice is St. Mark’s Square.
So, now that you know how to call all the different streets in Venice, we can suggest you a couple of apps that can help you get around the city easily.

Getting around Venice: the apps you need to download in your smartphone

You basically will need two apps to visit Venice easily.
The first one is Google Maps, which you probably already have on your phone, and the other one is AVM Venezia Official App.
Even if Venice is a unique city in the world, with lost of canals and hidden streets, Google Maps is almost perfect, and it can really help you out if you get lost.
Of course, when you insert your point of departure and the place you have to reach, sometimes it doesn’t work correctly, but thanks to the maps (that you can also consult when you’re offline) you can find your way out of the labyrinth.

The AVM Venezia Official App, instead, is the public transportation app. Here you can find out which vaporetto line you have to take by typing the name of the place you’re departing from and the destination you want to reach, such as an island or a specific area or palace in Venice.
You can also buy tickets through the app if you forgot to do it online before your arrival.
Both apps are available for iOs and Android.

In the beginning, getting around Venice will probably be difficult, but after a couple of days, using these apps and your memory, you’ll find it easier and challenging too.
Don’t you believe us? You just have to try!
And if this won’t be enough, you can also read our article about the survival kit you need to live Venice stressfree.

The Grand Canal in Venice is the main waterway of the city, where the noble families of the Serenissima Republic used to build their magnificent palaces.
It’s not a case that the most beautiful palaces around the city are here, facing the Grand Canal, which cuts Venice in two parts.
The Grand Canal of Venice is like a museum above water. Taking the vaporetto line 1 is like having a tour of an exhibition, where the ancient Venetian palaces are the works of art you come to see.
We won’t make a list of all the palaces on the Grand Canal, but we want to point out the most impressive ones.
From our hotel, we start a virtual itinerary, as if we were on the vaporetto, to discover the most beautiful palaces on the Grand Canal we find on the way to St. Mark’s Square.

Ca’ Vendramin Calergi

You probably already know this palace, since it’s the famous Venice Casino, the first casino in Europe.
Once you go out from our hotel, the first vaporetto stop you find is the one called San Marcuola, which is located next to the Venice Casino.
From here, you can easily notice the incision of a phrase on the external wall. But to find out what it says, we invite you to read our dedicated article, where we tell the story of this palace and its curiosities.

Fondaco dei Turchi

Right in front of the Venice Casino, there’s another massive palace: Fondaco dei Turchi. This building is quite different from the others we’ll see on our tour since it was built to host Turkish merchants, coming to Venice to sell their products.
The main reason why this palace has a huge entrance on the water, it’s because the goods were transferred here from the Grand Canal, while the merchants were in town.
Today is not a residency for merchants as in the past, but it hosts the Venice Natural History Museum.

Ca’ Pesaro

Going on with the vaporetto, the Grand Canal makes a little curve and show us the beautiful Ca’ Pesaro.
This majestic palace is one of the biggest ones facing the Grand Canal, and it presents particular attention not only to the architecture itself – geometrically perfect – but also to the nice decors on the facade.
Ca’ Pesaro also hosts a museum, since when Duchess Felicita Bevilacqua La Mesa gave the palace as a present to Venice, with the promise that it would have been used to celebrate the Modern art and its artists.

Ca’ D’oro

If we wanted to translate “Ca’ d’Oro” into English, the right translation would be “the Golden House.”
If Ca’ Pesaro was on our right, the Ca’ d’Oro palace is on the other side of the Venice Grand Canal and you can quickly recognize it for its beautiful multicolor marble facade that once was covered with gold.
Next to it, there’s a “stazio”, which is a place where you can take a gondola ride.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi

We are finally passing the Rialto bridge and reaching the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. You’re sure you’ve heard about this place before.
Back in centuries, this building had the same function as the Fondaco dei Turchi: it was the residency of the German merchants who came to Venice to make some money. Today is a luxury mall that worths a visit, at least for the beautiful rooftop terrace, from where you have a 360 degrees view above Venice.

Ca’ Rezzonico

Going forward with our virtual tour on a vaporetto, be ready with your camera, because this is one of those palaces that strikes.
Ca’ Rezzonico is now the Museum of 18th century Venice, but initially, it was the home of the Rezzonico noble family, and during centuries it hots several important figures such as the English poet Robert Browing who bought it in 1888.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Famous all over the world, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important museums of modern art in the whole Europe.  
From the vaporetto, this palace is easy to find, in fact, contrary to all the other buildings on the Grand Canal and around Venice has just one floor, which is quite uncommon.
The reason why this palace seams uncompleted is that it’s actually unfinished. We don’t know exactly why the building remained uncompleted, but it probably was related to a financial problem.
Another curious thing regarding this building is in the name, Palazzo Venier dei leoni, where “leoni” means lions and it refers to the lion that the Venier family used to keep in their garden (in a cage of course).

Palazzo Salviati

Our last stop on the Grand Canal of Venice is Palazzo Salviati, which is not as old as the previous one, but it’s so unique that we had to include it in our list. This building was built for the Salviati family, famous for their Murano Glass factory, and it has a singular mosaic on the facade. It’s amazing.

We hope you enjoyed our tour… now, it’s time to do it for real!

The first Sunday of September is an important day for Venetians. In fact, it’s the day where the real soul of Venice comes out of the water again through the Historical Regatta.

The Historical Regatta, Regata Storica in Italian, is a very heartfelt event and every year many people from all over the world come to see this incredible boat parade and the race.

What is a regatta? 

Literally, a regatta is a series of boat races. Venetians coined the term “regatta” back in centuries when a city on the water like this had to train its gondoliers and rowers. But this wasn’t the only reason.
Regattas were also an excuse to have a party in town, to celebrate special events or the visit of an important person. Usually they were financed by noble Venetian families or famous foreign people.
Even if the first mention about regattas was in the 13th century, it’s likely that they were born in Venice before that time.

Historical Regatta in Venice: how it works 

As we said, a parade of historical boats, carrying people wearing traditional Venetian costumes, precedes the races. The Bucintoro, the Doge’s ship followed by the boats of the Venetian rowing clubs, goes through the Grand Canal, remembering the day when Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cipro, came back to Venice.
It’s 4 pm and this is just the beginning.
Right after the magnificent parade, at 4.30pm starts the first race: the Maciarele and Schie regatta, a two-oared regatta on mascarete dedicated to children.
Afterward, it will be the turn of the young rowers’ twin-oared pupparini regatta, starting in St. Mark’s basin and ending in front of Ca’ Foscari, where the so-called “machina” (a floating platform hosting people like the mayor) is located every year.
At 5.10 pm will be the time for the six-oared caorline regatta and at 5.40 pm the Women’s twin-oared mascarete regatta.
Last but not least, at 6.10 pm there’ll be the final race: the Twin-oared gondolini regatta, from St. Mark’s Bay to Grand Canal, Rialto (around the paleto in front of San Marcuola), and back down to the Grand Canal to finish at Ca’ Foscari.

Where to watch the Historical Regatta in Venice 

If you want to find a good place where to watch the historical Regatta in Venice, you have to know the exact route the rowers are going to do. All the races are starting from St. Mark’s Bay and the most important ones end in front of the beautiful Ca’ Foscari palace.
The first place we suggest you for watching the Historical Regatta is certainly Rialto, since it’s halfway and easy to reach from our hotel. But, it’ll be probably crowded on that day, more than usual, that’s why we want to tell you some secret places where to go alternately.
Of course, you can decide to buy a ticket to watch the Historical Regatta sitting on the “machina” which costs around 60 euros per person, but there’s a lot of places where you can watch it for free.

1. Calle del Tragheto de la Madoneta

This place is not really easy to find without a GPS, but it’s worth it.
In Calle del Tragheto de la Madoneta, there’s a private jetty that you probably won’t be able to use, but you can still stand on the “fondamenta”, and enjoy the regatta from there.

2. San Silvestro 

At San Silvestro, there’s an ample space where to stay and watch the regatta, right next to the vaporetto stop.
Be there in advance, since it’s a place people know well because of the vaporetto stop and it can be crowded.

3. Riva del Carbon 

Right on the other side of the Grand Canal, there’s Riva del Carbon, a long “fondamenta” where you can see the boats speed to the arrival point at Ca’ Foscari.

4. San Tomà 

San Tomà is the closest place to the arrival. Here at the vaporetto stop, you can try to win some space among people and see the last rows that separate the rowers from the cup!

It’s going to be epic, as always, and watching the Historical Regatta in Venice will be an emotion that you can’t even imagine.
For Venetians, this is a significant event, a way to remember how big Venice was during the Serenissima Republic and never forget the story of the city we come from.
So, now that you’ve all the information to find the best place to watch the Historical Regatta in Venice are you ready for the show?

Have you ever thought about a day trip from Venice to the Dolomites?
Most people don’t know that in about 2 hours you can reach one of the most beautiful UNESCO spots in Veneto and live a day surrounded by its magnificent mountains.

If you like hiking or simply you would like to spend a day seeing one of the most enchanting natural places in our region and breath some fresh air, you definitely must consider the idea of a day trip from Venice to the Dolomites, especially if you’re planning to stay in Venice more than just a weekend.
You have many ways to get to the Dolomites and we are going to talk about all of them in this article.

How to get to Dolomite mountains from Venice 

As we said, you can decide to reach the Dolomites in different ways: by car, by train or by bus. Let’s see all the possibilities and evaluate what option suits you best.

By Train 

If you don’t feel comfortable driving in Italy, there’s no need to rent a car to get to the Dolomites, but you should be aware that getting there by train is not so immediate.

Venice train station is less than 10 minutes away from our hotel and there you can catch a couple of trains to Calalzo di Cadore, a town located at the feet of the massive Monte Antelao, and then take a bus, with Dolomiti bus company, to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Cortina is famous for being VIP’s favorite location for holidays, but it’s not the only reason why visiting it is worth it. It’s really a gem, especially during the winter season.

Getting here from Calalzo it takes about 50 minutes. Instead, the journey from Venice to Calalzo by train will take about 4 hours.

By bus 

Taking a bus from Venice to Cortina is probably the fastest and the most convenient way to have a day trip to the Dolomites.

The Atvo bus company has a line going directly from Venice to Cortina, passing through Treviso, but there’s also another private company that you can take, called Flixbus, which takes you there even in only about 2 hours.

By car 

Obviously, this is the easiest way to have a nice and stress-free day trip to the Dolomites from Venice.  
If you decide to rent a car, you can think about going to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and walk around these three huge and spectacular peaks.
This journey will take you about 2 hours and a half, quite a good deal if you really want to see this place that is visited by people from all over the world, every year.

So, making a day trip from Venice to the Dolomites without having to book another hotel and be able to come back to Venice for the night is something you can actually do.

If you’re interested in having a journey like this, don’t hesitate to ask us for more information and suggestions at the reception desk.

The Festa del Redentore is an important event that takes place in Venice and celebrates the end of the plague of 16th century. From that time on, the Festa del Redentore has been celebrating every year with amazing fireworks.
If you want to live Venice during this festival, you have to book your stay during the weekend of the third Saturday of July.

What is the Festa del Redentore
As we said, the Festa del Redentore is a feast that reminds about the end of a terrible plague that affected the whole city in 1576.
The Doge Alvise I Mocenigo, who was in charge at the time, promised to built a wonderful church to thank God if the plague ended. And this is actually what happened.
After having killed about 50.000 people, including the famous painter Tiziano Vecellio, the plague finally ended and the church started to be built.
The Redentore church is located on the Giudecca island and, the weekend of the fest, can be reached through a temporary bridge, built with boats.
Venetians care a lot about this feat and they make a pilgrimage to the church, every year.

How Venetians celebrate the Festa del Redentore
On the third Saturday of July, you will see all Venetians decorating their boats with colorful garlands and preparing food for the evening.
The appointment for the night show is in Bacino S. Marco, where all the decorated boats take place one next to the other and get ready for the fireworks.
You will see people sharing food and having fun from boat to boat. The Redentore feast is a special moment, where everyone forgets about problems and want to share his happiness with the world.

The best places to view the Redentore fireworks
If you have the chance to book a ticket for a party on a boat, the Bacino S. Marco is the best place ever to view the Redentore fireworks. But if you don’t have a boat or you cannot find a ticket for boat party, you can still find a place to view the fireworks from the island.

Riva degli Schiavoni is the first choice to watch fireworks on Redentore Day, since it’s just in front of the Bacino S. Marco. Get yourself ready to stand for a while.

Giudecca Island is where the Redentore church is located. Along the promenade, Venetians prepare their night positioning tables and chairs to have dinner with friends and view the fireworks. You can stand behind them and see the show from there.

Punta della Dogana is absolutely one of the best places to view the Redentore fireworks for free, because you are right in front of the place where the fireworks are actually launched.

“Acqua alta” is how Italians call the high tide. It occurs every now and then in Venice. Seeing the high tide can be a great experience when you are visiting Venice. Although it’s something that naturally occurs, it is not really a good thing.

Before discussing all you need to know about the high tide in Venice, we would like to underline that the presence of “acqua alta” does not mean that the city is sinking. This phenomenon is absolutely natural, and is due to astronomical, geographical and meteorological influences.

Why high tide floods Venice?
This is probably the first question you asked yourself.
First of all, the acqua alta is directly influenced by the moon. Every six hours it goes up and down. This can be an advantage, which can help you predict the waters top level and decide if you need to carry a pair of rainboots with you!  Acqua alta is also affected by the “scirocco”, a strong south-east wind.

When does acqua alta flood the city?
If you come to Venice between November and December the chance of finding the acqua alta is very high. However, you don’t have to worry about it disrupting your stay with us, Cannaregio, where our hotel is located, is not one of the low areas in Venice. This means you will not frequently find the high tide having an effect on this area.

Some useful tips about high tide in Venice
If you are visiting Venice during the high tide period, you should be aware of a few things.
First of all, consider buying a pair of rain boots in Venice or packing them in your suitecase. Then, be careful when you walk because when the acqua alta is really high, you barely can recognize the end of the street and the beginning of the canal.
To keep yourself informed about the situation and the level of the high tide you can download the free app called hi!tide or visit the Venice municipality website.
Do not worry about the possibility of getting wet, if you are wearing a pair of rainboots and you walk on the wooden walkways all around the city you won’t have any problem. You can have a safe and unforgettable experience in this amazing, and sometimes flooded, city.

Walking around Venice during a hot summer day can be hard, but a great gelato could restore your energies. You can look for the best gelato in Venice on your own, or you can take some note from our list below.  We’ve carefully selected six ice-cream parlors in Venice, one per district. In this way, it doesn’t matter if you are visiting St. Mark’s Square or the Jewish ghetto, you’ll always have the chance to be near a trusted ice-cream parlor.

Dorsoduro – Gelateria Nico
This is one of the most known ice-cream parlors in Venice, not only because of its strategic location but mainly for its so-called Gianduiotto. You won’t eat just a gelato here, but a yummy ice-cream with a big Gianduia chocolate bar on the top.

Cannaregio – Gelato di Natura
Not far from our hotel, a new ice-cream parlor has recently opened: Gelato di Natura. All the ingredients this gelateria use for its ice-creams are completely natural. We suggest you taste a cone with figs and ricotta or a classic pistachio.

San Marco – Suso Gelatoteca
This tasty ice-cream parlor is away from the most bitten paths in Venice, in fact, you have to cross Sotoportego de la Bissa from Campo San Bartolomeo and go straight. You’ll find it, for sure, and order a cone with salty pistachio and lemon with chocolate.

Castello – Gelateria Pasticceria Peter Pan
This is not only a place to eat the best gelato in Venice but a place you can call home. The gelato here is cheap and tasty. This ice-cream parlor is located in Castello district, where you’ll surely find some peace and a perfect moment to sit and enjoy a local Venice.

Santa Croce – Fontego delle Dolcezze
If you like yogurt, this is the place where to stop by. In fact, the Fontego delle Dolcezze make both homemade gelato and yogurt. If we might give you a suggestion, try the chocolate with cardamom flavor.

San Polo – Gelateria Millefoglie da Tarcisio
Few steps away from one of the most visited and beautiful churches in Venice, Basilica dei Frari, there’s a small ice-cream parlor, called Gelateria Millefoglie da Tarcisio. Don’t get fooled by the fact that there’s a sliced pizza place right next to it, the ice-cream here is amazing.

Feel free to print and bring this list of the places where to eat the best gelato in Venice with you, while you’re visiting our amazing city.

Even if Venice seems a tiny city, there is such an amount of things to see and do that you won’t be able to visit everything in a day.
But if the capital of the Serenissima Republic is just a stopover during you long trip, don’t worry, there are a lot of things you can do in Venice in one day, also including a boat tour. 24 hours in Venice are enough to get the most out of this wonderful city, try its typical food and have a short boat tour to one of its islands.

Visit the main attractions
Visiting Venice in one day means that you have to plan your day carefully. You don’t want to miss a thing, do you?
The first thing you must see in Venice is its historical center, with St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica, but above all the Doge’s Palace. You have to consider that visiting the Doge’s Palace takes about 2 hours, that’s why we suggest you to go there as soon as it opens. In this way, you will probably find no queue. Entering the St. Mark’s Basilica is free. You can wait in line or book a skip-the-line ticket in advance, through one of the several website that offer this service.

Join a boat tour
In the afternoon you can join a boat tour to one the three most known islands of the Venetian lagoon: Burano, Murano and Torcello.
If you want to learn more about the fascinating art glass, you should go to Murano Island, that is also the closest one.
If you are more attracted to colorful places and you want to know more about the history of laces, you should go to Burano. Burano is unique, you will see!  Venice Islands Tours: day trips to Burano, Murano, Torcello.

Eat like a local
Last but not least, don’t miss to step by Rialto bridge and have a “cicchetto” and glass of wine in a typical Venetian bar.
If you have time, coming back from the boat tour, go to Fondamenta della Misericordia, in Cannaregio district and spend the night having fun and eating like a local. In this article you can find a detailed itinerary for a typical Venetian night.
If you are tired after a long day in Venice, you can choose from one of these places  – not far from our hotel -, where you can taste the typical Venetian aperitif.