Honeymooners Part 1: Venice
If you are planning your wedding, starting to plan your honeymoon is an amazingly exciting time. Here we tell you about some fabulous destinations to make your trip memorable and romantic. In our series we will look at Tanzania and Mexico, but first stop, Venice!
For the Romantics…
Venice
Venice, the city of lovers, art and light, is a spectacular place to spend a honeymoon. With the convenience of a short flight and easy transfers, visitors can immerse themselves in the sensory experiences this World-famous city offers. The light glinting across the canals, the soft tolls of church bells, the hustle of the Rialto and the refined beauty of Venetian architecture all contribute to its otherworldly feeling.
A city that was the birthplace of Cassanova will always be high on the romance list, but for a true sense of Venice you can stay a little off the beaten track and discover the heart and soul of this majestic city. The tourist hotspots are popular for a reason, but you can get more intimate experiences without having to waste time queuing. Skip heading up the San Marco Campanile and instead head across the water to San Giorgio Maggiore where you can get a view of the whole of San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale – and chances are you and your partner will be alone in the tower to soak in the views.
Forget a ride on a gondola and instead use the same money for a fabulous ride from the airport in a water taxi, they are fast and fun and if it’s good enough for Mr and Mrs Clooney…it’s good enough for us!
The same goes for dining, avoid the tourist traps (anywhere with pictures of the food on the menu) and explore the more local areas like San Polo and Cannaregio for the best food. Osteria La Bottega ai Promessi Sposi, a few minutes off the Strada Nove in Cannaregio is romantic and rustic – the best in Venetian seafood served with charm. The best advice is to explore, find your own little canal-side barcos in the Jewish district and watch the evening draw in with great wine and cicchetti.
Venice is famous for its opera in La Fenice, but most would argue that Musica a Palazzo is far more romantic. It takes place in different rooms of fading palazzos and the small audience follow the performers from room to room for the acts. Illuminated by candlelight, this intimate evening is a night you’ll never forget.
Taking time to truly explore this spectacular city is the key to falling in love with it. From visiting the small churches that house masterpieces to eating like a local and understanding la dolce vita, there aren’t many places in the world as special as this.
Where to stay:
Luxury :
Located on a spectacular part of the Grand Canal overlooking the beautiful church Santa Maria della Salute, The Gritti Palace Hotel dates from 1475 and was later owned by Andrea Gritti, doge of Venice from 1523 to 1538. Painstakingly restored in 2013, every room retains its personality, the digital alarm clocks being the only thing that betrays a 21st century touch in an otherwise period room. www.thegrittipalace.com
Mid-range:
If you want to take advantage of the fabulous ingredients available at the Rialto Mercato, an apartment with kitchen facilities makes a lot of sense. Often at a higher spec than hotels, they are a cost effective way of staying in this city. The site www.venice-rentals.com is a great resource for finding lots of different options.
When to Go: Summer time is not ideal as the weather gets hot and muggy and the tourist influx ruins the romance. Head there in Autumn or Spring for the most moderate temperatures, quieter streets and the most beautiful, serene light.
