Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Visit Venice Italy
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas in Venice
One of the most romantic honeymoon vacation ideas is to go see Venice Italy.
Venice Italy consists of 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy and the Grand Canal is the main "boulevard" for transportation in the city.
The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po River in the south and the Piave River in the north.
Venice has the world’s most artistic masterpieces per square kilometre and is famous for its musical and operatic history, especially its composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Here you can wander around for hours in the narrow alleyways (called calli). You can have romantic strolls, romantic dinners, or include a gondola ride in your honeymoon vacation ideas.
in Your Romantic Vacations in Venice Italy
Everywhere you turn, you will find artisans, sculptors, musicians, cooks, cafes, romantic restaurants, canals, and bridges, narrow tunnels designed as walkways through buildings, ancient palazzi (palaces), and back-alley galleries and artisan showrooms keep springing up in the shadows.
which run through Buildings in Venice Italy
What you won’t find is traffic from automobiles and it takes a certain imagination and energy to forgo the convenience of cars and highways for slow boats serving as public transportation and crooked alleyways (calli) as your main methods of reaching your destination within Venice Italy.
You will see musicians lugging 18th-century cellos to riveting baroque concerts played with bravado, or travellers hauling their luggage to their hotels or back to the Grand Canal to catch their boat ride to the mainland, as well as merchants delivering their inventory to their establishments either on carts, or by small boats on the narrow canals which act like streets.
Venice and its Lagoon have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Venice has been admired by some as being the most beautiful city built and one of Europe's most romantic vacation spots.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas and Travel Tips for Arriving in Venice
For the most enjoyable visit to Venice Italy, my advice is to pack light and purchase lightweight luggage.
Purchase a Venice map and study it carefully before your trip to Venice Italy, or buy one as soon as you arrive. It’s easy to get lost in the maize of calli and canals.
But don’t let that scare you from exploring Venice as many of the Venetians do speak English and are very friendly.
If you don’t have light luggage or are visiting several other locations and feel your luggage may get filled with souvenirs, make sure to book a hotel on or near the Grand Canal and also near a water-bus stop.
If you are arriving to Venice with a cruise ship and getting dropped off in Piazza San Marco with a few hours to see all of Venice, be advised that you may never get to see Venice in its entirety.
You many have limited time to stroll along romantic hidden alleyways, enjoy gondoliers warming up their vocal chords for the romantic evening canal cruises, or mix with the local artisans at the bar to exchange conversation over a glass of prosecco (Italian champagne), a cocktail, a glass of wine or beer, or to sip on aromatic espresso.
Accommodation Ideas for Venice Italy
When you are planning your romantic vacations in Venice, include the option of renting an apartment as part of your honeymoon vacation ideas.
Staying in an apartment allows you to feel what it would be like to be living in Venice and the living space may be a bit more spacious than a hotel room.
If you select this option, research whether breakfast is being offered as part of the package and if the apartment has its own private bathroom.
Sometimes there are several apartments in one home, villa or palazzo and breakfast may be shared with other international guests.
If you enjoy having more space, socializing and making new friends, keep this option in mind.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Prepare for Venice Italy Weather
The climate in Venice can be described as being humid subtropical, which is characterized by the hot, humid summers and cool winters.
At the height of summer in July and August, the temperatures range between 30C – 33C (86F - 91F) In the winter, the temperatures dip down significantly to 0C – 3C (32F – 37F).
Significant amounts of precipitation occur in all seasons and the term "subtropical" may be a misnomer for the winter climate as winter rainfall can sometimes turn into snowfall.
Influenced by the Adriatic Sea, Venice can experience frequent rain showers and thunderstorms but these can come and go quickly with the sunshine reappearing throughout the day.
I have been to Venice when it has been sunny for days and have not seen any rain. On the other hand, I have also experienced the warm, heavy downpours, and with my umbrella in hand, have walked in the rain and run through the puddles completely enjoying the grand architecture and the Venice Italy weather.
Although many travelers enjoy visiting Venice during the winter for Christmas or the Carnival of Venice for their honeymoon vacation ideas because the city is less crowded, the best time to visit is between April and October.
If you visit Venice Italy during the spring, fall or winter, bring your tall waterproof boots as the city is still threatened by frequent low-level floods called Acqua Alta or "high water" that creep to a height of several centimetres over its quays, regularly following certain tides.
When the flooding is severe, around 60 percent of Venice's streets and piazzas go under water and the options are to wade through knee-high waters or take to improvised, elevated boardwalks set up in St. Mark's Square and other landmarks.
Some travelers intentionally visit Venice Italy for the adventure of this famous phenomenon. The experience of the acqua alta is accompanied by the warning sirens, which are sounded to warn of acqua alta.
This is followed by another signal which alerts Venetians to the level of flooding expected. The more tones sounded, the higher the water. For example, one tone predicts 110cm and four rising notes indicate serious flooding of 140cm. Speakers are concealed all over the city inside bell towers and public buildings.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Attractions in Venice
There are numerous attractions in Venice, such as the Grand Canal, the Carnival of Venice, the Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Basilica, the Piazza San Marco and the romantic gondolas.
The Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world, which takes place in late August or early September, attracts visitors from all over the world, and the Lido di Venezia is a popular international luxury destination, attracting thousands of actors, critics, celebrities and mainly people in the cinematic industry.
The Venice Film Festival is an exciting event to include in your honeymoon vacation ideas and the weather is perfect then too.
Venice has been the setting of numerous films, novels, poems essays, and other works of fictional or non-fictional literature.
The Carnival of Venice is held annually in the city, two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ending on Shrove Tuesday (a week in mid February).
This is a time to dress up in your best costumes and Venetian masks and go party.
There are Six Districts (Sestieri) in Venice:
- Cannaregio
- Castello (includes San Pietro di Castello and Sant'Elena)
- Dorsoduro (includes La Giudecca and Isola Sacca Fisola)
- San Marco
- San Polo
- Santa Croce
The other islands of the Venetian Lagoon to consider in your honeymoon vacation ideas, such as the Lido, Buranso, Murano, and Torcello do not form part of any of these districts (sestieri) but are included in the municipality of Venice, along with the mainland districts of Marghera and Mestre, which are four kilometres across the water and linked by highway and rail.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Take Your Photos On These Bridges
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Day Trips in the Venice Lagoon and to Its Islands
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My Top Picks for
Venice Sightseeing and Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Accademia
The Gallerie dell'Accademia is a fine art gallery and one of Italy’s most important museums. It contains masterpieces of Venetian and Italian paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, generally arranged chronologically though some displays are thematic.
Ca' d'Oro
This palazzo is one of the finest museums in Venice and contains vast collections of 18th century Venetian art and is sumptuously furnished with exquisite furniture.
Paintings by Tiepolo have been added in the throne room, including an entire frescoed ceiling, depicting 'The Allegory of Merit'.
There is also a fine collection of Venetian glass, showing that the skills of the 18th century masters at Murano may have been superior to those on the island today.
Ghetto
The history of the word “ghetto” originated in Venice in 1516 where Jews were forced to move to the north-western corner of Venice, to an abandoned site of a 14th-century iron foundry.
They were not permitted to leave this location until the arrival of Napoleon in 1797 when they were freed to live wherever they liked.
The word ghetto is actually an old Venetian term for "foundry."
La Fenice Opera House
Teatro La Fenice ("The Phoenix") is an opera house in Venice Italy and one of the most famous theatres in Europe, the site of many famous operatic premieres.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the most important museum in Italy for European and American 20th century art, including masterpieces from the Gianni Mattioli Collection and the Nasher Sculpture Garden.
There are many other art galleries and museums to visit as well. If art is your passion, you will enjoy Venice.
The Rialto Bridge
Completed in 1591, the Rialto Bridge has become one of the architectural icons of Venice.
It crosses the Grand Canal and is a point of reference when you are trying to figure out where you are.
The bridge and surrounding area house many jewellery shops, food markets and other unique shops and stores.
In your honeymoon vacation ideas, include a special dining experience at one of the wonderful romantic restaurants which line the Grand Canal on both sides of the Rialto Bridge.
St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
This is the principal square of Venice Italy down by the Adriatic Sea. A visit to Saint Mark's Square on the Adriantic is a highlight of honeymoon vacation ideas.
Here you will find a square full of visitors, artists, photographers, boutiques, jewellery shops, the luxurious Caffè Florian and the famous Venetian pigeons.
Exquiste Boutiques and Restaurants under the Grand Arches
In and around Piazza San Marco? you will find the following:
- St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco a Venezia)
- St. Mark's Campanile
- St. Mark's Clock (also known as La Torre dell'Orologio)
- Palazzo Ducale di Venezia (Doge's Palace)
- Ponte dei Sospiri (The Bridge of Sighs)
St. Mark's Campanile (Campanile di San Marco):
This is the bell tower at St Mark's Basilica, which has a lift you can take to the top of the tower and have a fantastic view of Venice. Choose a clear day to go up the tower and you will be able to see as far as the Dolomites.
St. Mark's Clock (La Torre dell'Orologio):
The clock tower, located on the north side of St. Mark’s Square, is resplendent in blue and gold, and points the way to the Venice shopping district, which starts at this corner of the square.
Palazzo Ducale di Venezia (Doge's Palace):
The Doge's Palace is a gothic masterpiece and was the residence of the Doge of Venice.
From top to bottom, the building is a museum containing works by all the great Venetian painters.
Ponte dei Sospiri (The Bridge of Sighs):
The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars.
It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and links the Doge’s Palace with what were once the prisons.
St. Maria della Salute
The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of St Mary of Health/Salvation), commonly known as the Salute, is a famous church in Venice.
Placed scenically at a point of land which lies between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco on the lagoon, the church can be seen when approaching the Piazza San Marco from the Grand Canal.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
This is a spectacular Renaissance spiral staircase with numerous arches, located in the most remarkable part of the small Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice Italy.
Include a visit to Scala Contarini del Bovolo as part of your honeymoon vacation ideas and make sure to take several romantic pictures here for great memories of Venice.
for Photographs on Your Romantic Vacations
The staircase represents a mixture of Renaissance and Byzantine styles but is attached to the back of a Gothic palace in the back courtyard.
Hidden down a narrow lane off Campo Manin, south-west of the Rialto, you'll find a small sign to the staircase. The address is Corte Contarini del Bovolo, San Marco 4299.
Most Famous Churches in Venice
- Basilica di San Marco a Venezia features Byzantine architecture and located in St. Mark's Square, this beautiful church is connected to the Doge's Palace.
- Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most photographed churches in Italy and is visible as one enters St. Marks Square from the Adriatic Sea.
- Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, also known as the Frari and is built in Italian Gothic style.
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Venice, built in the 1480's, is a prime example of early Venetian Renaissance and is also known as the "marble church" for its façade made of coloured marble.
- Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, also known as San Zanipolo by the Venetians, is one of the largest churches in Venice.
- San Zaccaria, Venice, a church attached to a Benedictine monastery, was built around 1444 to 1515 and features architecture which is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance style.
in a Lovely Romantic Vacations Movie called Bread and Tulips
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Enjoy the Architecture and Interior Design
The most famous architecture in Venice Italy is the Venetian Gothic style, which combines use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Arab influences from Moorish Spain. This style can be seen in the Doge's Palace and the Ca' d'Oro.
Other architectural styles include Renaissance and Baroque buildings, and examples of these can be seen in the Ca' Pesaro and the Ca' Rezzonico.
Venice is well known for its unique, rich, luxurious and extravagant Rococo designs.
Many Venetian hotel and apartment bedrooms are designed in a sumptuous and grand style, with rich, damask, velvet and silk drapery and curtains, carved Rococo beds with statues of putti, flowers and angels, just perfect for romantic vacations.
Chandeliers are usually very colourful, using Murano glass to make them look more vibrant.
To experience the grand architecture and elegant Venetian designs, consider staying or dining at luxury establishments such as the Danieli Hotel and the Caffè Florian.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Fashion and Shopping in Venice
- Venice is a major fashion and shopping centre and much of the fashion boutiques and jewellery shops are located in the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco, as well as in the Mercerie, a zigzagging area with narrow streets between St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge.
- Here you can have lots of fun shopping for anything from designer clothing to leather fashions, books, Murano creations, linens and the famous Venetian masks.
- Another idea for great shopping is on the wide street of Calle Larga XXII Marzo, which begins west of Piazza San Marco and winds its way to the Campo Santo Stefano near the Accademia.
- This location offers more expensive clothing and gift boutiques and makes for great window-shopping.
- Also west and not far from Piazza San Marco, is the narrow Frezzeria, offering a selection of bars, souvenir shops, and tiny clothing stores.
and Great Shopping Nearby Perfect for Romantic Vacations
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Dining in Venice Italy
Everywhere you turn, you will find romantic restaurants, whether you are at the Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, or in some hidden alleyway (calli). That is the beauty of Venice.
It doesn’t matter where you are, everything is romantic.
The tradition in Venice and the Veneto is to enjoy an ombra or ombreta (cocktails). The Bellini is a famous cocktail invented at Harry’s Bar and the ingredients include champagne and peach juice.
Ombre or cocktails are served with delicious savoury snacks (cicchetti), a great Venetian speciality, which may include fried fish, cooked or raw vegetables, a piece of tasty cheese, a creamy mixture of salt cod, olives, sarde in saor, among many other appetizers.
Cookies and pastries in Venice are delicious and I always pack a bunch to take with me to my next destination.
Include the Wines of the Veneto in Your Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Wine has been produced in the Veneto since the 7th century BC.
The best known wines of the Verona, Vicenza and Treviso region are Valpolicella, Bardolino (red), Soave (white) and Recioto (passito sweet white).
with a cozy Setting for Romantic Vacations in Venice Italy
Recioto is one of the region’s most important wines, mainly because of the unique way in which it is made. Recioto is similar to ice wine or sauternes (where some residual sugar remains).
In the Veneto region, the two most important wines may be the dry red Amarone della Valpolicella and the white semi-sweet Recioto di Soave.
Restaurant Terrace to Your Great Vacations Spots and Romantic Vacations
Another characteristic wine of the Veneto is the sparkling Prosecco, produced among the hills of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Prosecco sparkling wine is made from a variety of white grape of the same name.
Venetian - Murano Glass
Venice is world-renowned for its ornate glass-work, known as Venetian glass. Toward the end of the thirteenth century, the center of the Venetian glass industry moved to the island of Murano.
Some of the most important brands of glass in the world today are still produced in the historical glass factories on Murano, located off the shore of Venice Italy.
Formed in 1295, Barovier & Toso is considered one of the 100 oldest companies in the world. Murano is a famous destination for tourists and art and jewellery lovers.
List of Venice Attractions to Help with
Planning Your Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Museums of Venice Italy
- Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
- Casa Goldoni a Palazzo Centano
- Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro
- Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna
- Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Galleria di Palazzo Cini
- Museo Correr
- Museo d'Arte Erotica
- Museo d'Arte Orientale
- Museo del Ghetto
- Museo del Merletto di Burano
- Museo del Settecento veneziano (Ca' Rezzonico)
- Museo del Vetro di Murano
- Museo dell'Istituto Ellenico
- Museo della Fondazione Querini Stampalia
- Museo della Scuola Dalmata dei SS. Giorgio e Trifone
- Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
- Museo di Torcello
- Museo Diocesano di Arte sacra
- Museo Ebraico
- Museo Marciano
- Museo parrocchiale San Pietro Martire
- Museo Wagner (Ca' Vendramin Calergi)
- Museo Storico Navale
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Pinacoteca e Museo di S. Lazzaro degli Armeni
- Pinacoteca Manfrediniana
- Scuola Grande dei Carmini
- Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
- Scuola Grande di San Marco
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Piazzas, Campi (TownSquares) and Parks
- St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
- Campo San Polo
- Campo San Bartolomeo
- Compo San Luca
- Campo Santa Maria Formosa
- Giardini Pubblici
- Giardinon Papadopoli
- Parco delle Rimembranze
Palaces and Palazzi
- Doge's Palace
- Ca' d'Oro
- Ca' Rezzonico
- Ca' Vendramin Calergi
- Fondaco dei Turchi
- Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
- Palazzo Ducale
- Palazzo Foscari
- Palazzo Fortuny
- Palazzo Grassi
- Palazzo Labia
- Palazzo Malipiero
- Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (Peggy Guggenheim Collection)
Public Transportation Adventures
for Your Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Venice is world-famous for its canals which serve the function of roads, and almost every form of transportation is on water or on foot.
Venice is Europe's largest urban car free area, functioning well in the 21st century without motorcars or trucks.
The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, and Gondoliers currently are charging between 80 and 100 euros for a 35 minute gondola ride to take you around a few canals.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - It is worth talking to several Gondoliers and negotiating, as you may be able to get a reduction in the price.
Most Venetians travel by water-buses (vaporetti) which have regular routes along the major canals and between the city's islands.
Travelers can also take the water taxis instead of the water-buses but these are far more expensive.
Azienda Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano (ACTV)
This is the public transport system in Venice. It covers both land transportation, with land buses, and canal travel, with water buses (vaporetti).
There are a total of 25 routes which connect the city. A one way pass is good for one hour and costs 6.50 €. Passes for 12 to 72 hours are available and cost from 14 to 31 €.
If you are staying in Venice for a week, the "Venice Card" is the best value starting at 47.50€, which includes unlimited vaporetto travel.
Venice also has water taxis, which are fast but more expensive. (As exchange rates can fluctuate, check the current exchange rate for the cost in your local currency.)
Airports to Consider in Your Honeymoon Vacation Ideas
Venice is served by the Marco Polo International Airport, or Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo, named in honour of its famous citizen.
The airport is on the mainland and can be reached by the water taxis or Alilaguna water-buses, which travel back and forth from Venice to the airport.
There is a shuttle bus which travels between the airport and the Alilaguna water-bus dock.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, or if you have made special plans in Venice, as the water-bus trip is at least 45 minutes and you also have to wait for the shuttle bus.
Some airlines market Treviso Airport in Treviso, 30 km from Venice as a Venice gateway, so make sure you know which airport you will be arriving at.
Trains
Venice is serviced by regional and national trains. Travelling by train in Italy is a lot of fun and worth including in your honeymoon vacation ideas.
Lovely Rose Coloured Lanterns on the Grand Canal Side.
One of the easiest ways to travel to Venice is by train and the Venezia Santa Lucia station is only a few steps away from a vaporetti stop.
Walking distance or one water bus stop from the Venezia Santa Lucia train station is the Ponte Scalzi bridge and the Ferrovia water bus stop, which is right in front of Scalzi Church (Chiesa degli Scalzi).
If you have made reservations near the train station, you may have to take your luggage across the bridge depending on which side of the canal your accommodations are. In your honeymoon vacation ideas, try book your accommodations near a water bus stop.
By Car
Cars can reach the car/bus terminal via the bridge of Ponte della Liberta (SR11). The bridge comes in from the west from Mestre.
There are two parking lots at which you can park your vehicle: Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma.
You can park your car there any time for around €30 per day. A ferry to Lido leaves from the parking lot in Tronchetto and is also served by vaporetti, the water-buses of public transportation.
After parking your car, to get to Venice you will need to walk to the vaporetti stop located at the parking lots to take a water-bus on the Grand Canal.
Remember to pack lightly because you will have to drag your luggage from your car across the huge parking lots to get to the vaporetti stop, unless of course you can find a parking spot near the water bus. Regardless, the trip will be very exciting.
Honeymoon Vacation Ideas - Discover Venice Italy
The adventures of getting to and around Venice, exploring the canals, walkways and hidden gems are sure to meet your expectations and honeymoon vacation ideas.
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