Venice is a beautiful city located in northeast Italy that is famous for its intricate transport system of interconnected canals. A perfect setting for a magical Valentines break. It has been described as the most beautiful city built by man and one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Venice is also known for its art, architecture and culture. So you’ll never be short of something to do in the “City of Bridges”.
First, do a bit of sightseeing by taking a romantic sunset gondola ride down the Grand Canal that will take you through the heart of the city and let you soak up the relaxing atmosphere. Since its Valentines why not have you and your partner serenaded by your gondolier?Venice
The canal is lined with beautiful buildings and churches some of which date back as far as the 13th century. You’ll also see the Rialto Bridge that was the only bridge to cross the canal until the 19th century and was mentioned in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”. You could also visit Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari which is one of the greatest churches in Venice. It has Gothic architecture and a beautiful red brick exterior and also houses many excellent examples of Renaissance art, including Titian’s Madonna di Ca’ Pesaro.
In the evening, immerse yourself in culture by going to Musica a Palazzo, a Venetian Palace from the 15th century which holds intimate opera performances of various operas such as La Traviata. As the opera progresses you also get a tour of the house as each act is preformed in a different room. This unique take on opera is a must see for both first timers and opera fanatics. The setting of the vintage palace makes it all the more romantic.
Treat yourself to dinner in the Trattoria alla Madonna, Michelin starred restaurant in the centre of the city serving traditional Venetian fair and specializing in seafood. All ingredients are fresh as they are sourced from the local markets each morning. The restaurant is also decorated with paintings by contemporary Italian artists and as it’s a family run restaurant it has a very welcoming yet romantic atmosphere. The family who own the Trattoria are committed to conserving Venice and have undertaken the restoration of a fountain in central Venice.
The only other thing you need is a place to stay – how about Dona Palace Hotel, a chic boutique hotel? It’s in a great location just minutes away from all the sightseeing hotspots but it also keeps an air of calmness and privacy. Each of the twenty seven rooms in the 14th century palace is uniquely designed and the bathrooms are decked out with Italian marble. A romantic stay at a reasonable price. An excellent alternative is the Bellini Boscolo Hotel Venice overlooking the Grand Canal. This delightful hotel, immersed in the magical atmosphere of the Venetian lagoon, is the perfect base to discover the beautiful city of Venice. Easy to reach, the Bellini is just a few minutes’ walk from Saint Mark’s Square, the heart of the city, in an area abounding in shops and restaurants. Affordable, central and ideal for a Valentine’s break. Also remember that exclusively for ebookers customers we have 10% off Hotel bookings; just enter the following code to avail of this