Landing to Venice Marco Polo Airport might not seem that much different from other airports if you are not seated by the window and do not get that fantastic clear sky glimpse of Venice already while landing… While rolling down the runway an observant traveler will immediately take a note of the number of private jets parked at the airport and yes, this is one of the playgrounds of the Bold and The Beautiful of Europe.

The fun only starts after a long stroll with your baggage towards the Water Taxi Station. Do not take any other mean of transportation, as this is the way to reach Venice in style. Traditional wooden boats are lined up to take the visitors to Venice. When the boat starts to approach the city, the views are magnificent and the wonderful sea breeze on your face brings you a feeling of freedom and easiness while entering a world of foxy, captivating history. And arriving by boat at dark is yet another captivating experience.

Watertaxi from airport to hotel

Fueling up the taxi

It is better to let the big ones pass first…

Hotel pier

Naturally Cipriani or the Gritti Palace would have been THE places to stay, but I chose a hotel called Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa for our stay (next to Cipriani). The hotel is situated across the canal from St. Mark’s Square, on Giudecca Island and it is built into a 16^th century convent with magical gardens. A free shuttle boat goes several times a day from the hotel to its’ sister hotel Bauer Il Palazzo, situated within a 2-minute walk from St Mark’s square.

Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa

Hotel shuttle “bus”

The Palladio hotel and especially the rooms are already slightly worn out, but the inner garden is so fantastic that it makes you discard the shabbiness – some might think it as shabby chic, I am not quite sure which would be my definition… However, when you wake up in the morning, open your window shutters and see the garden with the breakfast tables set ready, you just feel like running downstairs to have your cappuccino while staring at the sun gazed garden.

Apparently this hotel also has a fantastic spa, but unfortunately I did not have time to try it out. I might have been too busy inhaling the charm of Venice – or sitting with a glass of prosecco under an ornate iron gazebo, imagining myself as part of Venice in the beginning of last century.

After waking up from daydreaming, it is time to hit the road… Or canals, precisely. If you discard the terrible kiosks selling those dreadful Venice souvenirs, the streets crowded by tourist groups and invest your money in a water taxi drive around the city and it’s surroundings, you shall see a whole different Venice. You will see the true beauty of this historical jewel, the threat and the character that the sea imposes to the city and the fact that there is absolutely no other place like Venice in this world.

Even if small by area, you cannot see Venice on a single water taxi tour, so make sure to find out what interests you – the tour organizers will try to make you the usual tour with the most famous places, but there are also some other nice spots to be explored. The Murano Island glass factories are a nice experience in order to understand a bit better this special glass type, but even better is the Burano Island and it’s colorful houses.

Murano glass factory & chandeliers

Burano Island

Make sure to have enough time for those fantastic Venetian lunches and if you have time, start the morning by popping into the Rialto food market in the morning. The Rialto Bridge is nice and famous, but for any home master chef, the market is the place to discover alive all the incredible Italian ingredients you see in those fantastic cook books of yours…

Rialto bridge & market

As you most likely cannot take home all those pulpos, aragostas and zucchinis, you might want to make the most out of the Venetian kitchen and Friuli-Venezia Giulia wines while on the spot… Especially the Livio Felluga wines have made an impression in me, but there are plenty good producers to choose from.

We had a very nice lunch on the Torcello Island in a restaurant called Osteria Al Ponte Del Diavolo . The restaurant was recommended to us by our water taxi driver and apparently was popular among the locals. The building does not seem that interesting from outside, but has a relaxing garden behind it. A good place for the children to play in for a moment while parents are having a looooong lunch. About food, service and wine selection I hate to repeat myself, but it was all very balanced and above the level I had expected.

Osteria Al Ponte Del Diavolo @ Torcello island

All outside links can be accessed by double clicking on the name of the place or product.

Stay tuned for Vivid Venice – part 2…