Venice, the Floating City

Venice, the Floating City

Venice, the Floating City, is without a doubt one of the most famous and visited cities in the world.  It is romantic, charming, unique, and a bit daunting.  Visiting Venice is definitely a “bucket list” destination for any serious traveler. 

Our first visit to Venice was over 20 years ago, and looking back on that adventure, it was a disappointment.  Our subsequent visits, though, were all remarkably memorable.  MUCH has been written about Venice, and I doubt that I can add anything new, but I’d like to make some observations about: (1) our first visit to Venice, (2) St. Mark’s Square, (3) the canals and bridges of Venice, (4) the gondolas of Venice, and (5) how to visit Venice.

Our First Visit to Venice, the Floating City

During the summer of 1997 we spent several weeks in Europe traveling by train.  Our travel system was a good one–until our trip to Venice, the floating city.  We scheduled our trips so that when we moved from city to city, we traveled overnight by rail. This way we could arrive early at the new city early in the morning and ready to explore.

When we boarded the train for our overnight ride to Venice, somehow we were placed on an American college car–pretty much a drinking and partying car.  There was virtually NO sleep that night and when we arrived in Venice early the next morning, it was humid and hot. We were exhausted.  Certainly, this was not a good introduction to a world class city.  Fortunately, we braved a return to Venice and since then have visited several times.  Each visit is more enchanting than the last!  This world class city is amazing.

St. Mark’s Square a centerpiece of Venice, the Floating City:

Anyone who visits Venice, the floating city immediately becomes aware that St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace are the virtual center of the city.  St. Mark’s Basilica is the main attraction in the square with the famous Doge’s Palace beside it.  The “doge” was a prince ruler of Venice, and over its history there were many of them. Enrico Dandolo did the most for Venice, and this makes him the most remembered doge.

You are allowed to visit the Basilica free of charge, but often there is a long line to enter.  A shortcut is to go online; there for just a few Euros you can reserve a spot in the Fast Track line.  A walk through this massive basilica is kept at a steady pace leaving little time to stop and look.  Pictures are NOT allowed.  Once inside the cathedral/basilica, you can pay a small fee that will allow you to go up to the roof of the Cathedral.  From there, you will have marvelous view of the Square.

The Doge’s Palace:

There is a fee for the guided tour of the Doge’s Palace.  I highly recommend this tour; the price is minimal, and the information gained is well worth it.  One of the most interesting parts of a tour of the Doge’s Palace is to walk through the prison and cross the “Bridge of Sighs” with its small windows looking out over the canals of Venice.  This small bridge between buildings got its name because the prisoners who passed over it “sighed” at their last view of the city.

There are several places of interest in St. Mark’s Square.  Directly across from the Cathedral and the Palace is the Campanile–or the bell tower. It towers 323 above the square.  For small fee you can ride an elevator to the top of the Campanile. Here you are able to capture 360 degree photos of St. Mark’s Square and the canals.  The bells are HUGE, so cover your ears if you’re there when the bellow are ringing.  Once again, I highly recommend going to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile.

More views of St. Mark’s Square

All around St. Mark’s Square are lovely shops and restaurants.  Each restaurant always has live music which, of course, adds to the romantic ambiance.

The most famous restaurant is the Cafe Florian which opened 1720.  You name any famous person, and he/she has eaten there.  Just for grins my husband and I stopped for a cup of coffee.  That is all we had–ONE small cup of coffee each.  The cost:  $32.00 BEFORE a tip.  Just a little “heads up.”

From St. Mark’s Square dozens of streets and canals spread out into the city.  It’s easy to get lost in Venice. You will see dozens of elegant shops as you meander along one of the many canals and bridges.

Canals and Bridges of Venice, the Floating City:

Venice and its neighbors Murano and Burano were all “rescued” from the sea. Originally, this entire region was a huge mudflat. As people fled from enemies in Europe, they discovered that they could build on pilings and pass between homes and buildings via canals.  Within the city itself there are 117 canals and 409 bridges!  All commerce happens via boats and gondolas on the canals.  This includes deliveries of goods, mail and anything else that is found in a city.  It is common to see water taxis, water ambulances, and even water police. 

Venice has many bridges but a visit there must include a walk across the famous Rialto Bridge.  It is a huge bridge with shops along both sides.  The Academia Bridge (or Ponte del Academia) is also a must.  It crosses the Grand Canal toward the opposite side of the city from St. Mark’s.  From this bridge you can get excellent photos of the Grand Canal in both directions.

Gondolas of Venice, the Floating City:

Above all, the most glamorous and famous transportation in Venice is via a gondola. Colorful Gondoliers guide the gondolas through the many canals.  A gondola is a flat-bottomed boat that Venetians use; these unique boats are well suited to lagoon-like conditions.  The gondolier uses only one oar that acts is also a rudder which he guides in a sculling manner.

For centuries the gondola was Venice’s chief means of transportation. At one time there were 10,000 gondoliers.  However, today, the gondolas are mostly a tourist attraction, and there are only 400 gondoliers working now.  Even though a gondola ride is rather expensive, it is such an icon of the city that tourists take these rides by the thousands.  Evening gondola rides are especially romantic when the gondolier not only guides the boat, but he also sings to his passengers.

How to Visit Venice:

Europe is famous for its trains; consequently, many people travel to Venice by train.  The train station is near the ship dock and the Academia Bridge.  And, of course, you can visit on a cruise. I’ve been to Venice both on Princess cruises and Viking cruises.  Both of these cruise lines allow two days here. This is really great!  If at all possible, allow yourself more than one day in Venice–several days if possible. After visiting the charming city of Venice, you might want to stroll through Dubrovnik which is just as charming!

Also, check out Dr. David Slamp’s book Tales of the Magnificent Med. You can purchase it in the Alaska Bookstore.