Venice it is the number 1 vacation destination for lovers; beautiful, mysterious – and very romantic.
However, unless you know where to go and what to do, you can end up getting ripped off at tourist trap restaurants and wasting your time in lines that make Disney World seem empty.
So, to help you be a Latin Lover, and not a Latin Loser, here are the top 10 Venice tips:
1. Don’t waste your money on a gondola! It may have been romantic when Henry James wrote The Wings of a Dove, but today it’s a real rip-off. You’ll be charged £55 for 40 minutes in a gondola while Japanese tourists film you and the school kids on school trips and laugh as your gondolier serenades them (mala).
2. Opt for a vaporetto ride! This is the aquatic equivalent of a bus; It may look tackier than its glamorous gondola cousins, but it’s considerably more fun. Hop aboard at the first stop on your chosen ‘bus’ route to ensure you get a good seat on deck.
3. Better yet, rent your own boat and cruise the canals your way. Head to Brussa and charter a boat for £17 an hour. They are not difficult to handle and will teach you a short lesson: before you know it, you will be heading to tranquil backwaters, stopping for a glass of wine at a secluded bar. That’s what I call romance!
4. A delicious lunch can be found at Trattoria alla Madonna, situated along the Grand Canal. The uniformed waiters offer a splendid service at a good price. The food is abundant and delicious.
5. Venice is at its best at night. After an afternoon siesta (or other activity) back at your hotel, head out for a stroll over century-old bridges, past ancient palaces, to the tune of the ever-present waves.
6. Head north to the Rialto for a lavish dinner at Naranzaria. Nibble on cicchetti (Venetian tapas) for a pound or two, or enjoy a more substantial meal for around £15 per person. Ask for an outdoor table overlooking the Grand Canal.
7. If you want to sleep like royalty, book room 115 at the Gritti Palace. This is an authentic ducal palace, built in 1525. Room 115 features antique furniture and a stone balcony overlooking the Grand Canal. It will set you back around £480 a night, but if you have the money, it will certainly provide you with a full-scale romance!
8. If you prefer something more intimate, Locanda Orseolo is a lovely place to stay. Prices start from £105 a night and you can be sure of a warm welcome at this family run hotel which has its own water inlet from the canal.
9. When it comes to flights, package deals can sometimes be the most convenient. Thomson offers flights, two nights at the Gritti Palace with bed and breakfast for a very reasonable price of £435 per person.
10. The most important thing to remember is to have a relaxed attitude: don’t worry if some of your plans fail and you have to change them. Spontaneity coupled with a good sense of humor is the most romantic of all, ah! and a suitcase full of designer lingerie.
