VENICE: THE PEARL OF ADRIATIC

VENICE (VENEZIA）

Best travel season: spring and autumn

Recommended days: 1-2 days

Transportation: in the city center you can only take the water bus(Vaporetto), about 7.5 Euro one way, 20 Euro / 24 hours

INTRO 

Located in the northeastern part of Italy, Venice is a world-famous water town known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic Sea”. As a historical and cultural city, it is also a popular setting for famous movies, such as The Italian Job, The Tourist and 007: Casino Royale.

It can be said that Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world. The existence on water makes Venice extremely charming and tender. At the same time, architecture, painting, sculpture and opera, also have an important position and influence in the world.

WHERE TO GO

There are many monuments in the city of Venice, with various churches, bell towers, monasteries and palaces. 

ST. MARK'S SQUARE(PIAZZA SAN MARCO)

St. Mark's Square is the central square of Venice. The French emperor Napoleon once praised it as “the most beautiful living room in Europe”. In the square you can see the majestic Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile de Saint- Marc waited.

It is not only a tourist attraction, but also a good place for locals to relax. In the evening, the restaurant here will have live music.

Address: Piazza San Marco, 30124,Venezia

How to get there: Take the water bus to Piazza San Marco/San Zaccaria/Vallaresso.

BRIDGE OF SIGHS  (PONTE DEI SOSPIRI)

Just located behind the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, is a strangely shaped bridge because the people crossing the bridge are completely enclosed in the bridge. Here is the bridge where the prisoners went to the prison. Prisoners often sigh and sigh when crossing the bridge, hence the name "Sigh Bridge."

RIALTO BRIDGE (PONTE RIALTO)

Among the more than 400 bridges in Venice, this white marble bridge is one of the most famous bridges.  The famous drama "Venice Merchant" from Shakespeare is based on this background. A long time ago it was a wooden bridge, which was converted into a stone bridge after the 16th century. This is an important traffic artery and also a commercial area. There are many beautiful shops on the bridge where people sell a variety of souvenirs and specialties.

GRAND CANAL (CANAL GRANDE)

Standing on the Rialto Bridge, you can look at the Grand Canal of Venice. It divides the city into two parts. Sightseeing along the waterway is one of the best ways to explore the Venetian landscape. There are many famous buildings on both sides, and full of writers, painters and musicians. 

GONDOLA (GONDOLA)

When you come to Venice, you can't ignore this unique Venetian canoe - "Gondola". This light, slender and unique boat has always been a tool for the Venetians. A gondola has a very long history. In the 11th century, there were more than 10,000 gondolas, but today there are only a few hundred left in Venice.

Gondola gondoliers usually wear a tight-fitting knit top with stripes. Many Italians are born to be singers, so some boatmen even sing when they are rowing.

Price: 80~120€/boat for 40 minutes

WHAT TO EAT 

Italy has always been a country to endulge in delicious food, and Venice's cuisine is characterized by the perfect combination of food on land and seafood .

There are special lamb chops, duck breasts and veal, as well as Venetian squid noodles, pea risotto and lobster noodles.

O'BON PARIS' NOTE

Every February, Carnival is held in Venice, where people wear masks, costumes and robes to celebrate. Although you might not necessarily participate in the festival, there are many beautiful boutiques everywhere in Venice to buy a mask.

Wrriten and photographed by Lexi Wang