24 hours in Venice
Venice’s maze of streets and countless canals make it the perfect place for travellers who want to get lost and see where the path takes them.
If you’ve only got 24 hours in Italy’s city of water, then it’s best to have a plan and a map. Here’s a few things to see and do if you’ve got a day in Venice.
Take a gondola ride
This might sound a bit cliché, but when in Venice, you need to take at least one journey on the traditional Venetian form of transport. There aren’t too many – or any – other places in the world where you can take a gondola ride; plus, a stunning view of the city will welcome you around every corner.If you’re looking for something more physical, many gondolier schools offer half-day lessons for tourists. Beware though, gondoliers need to have exceptional balance, co-ordination and strength.
Skip the pasta and pizza
Now that you’ve worked up a sweat, and hopefully an appetite, it’s time to eat. It’s easy as a tourist to turn to the Italian staples, such as pasta and pizza. There’s no doubt they’re both scrumptious, but Venice has more to offer.Firstly, look for seafood, and avoid restaurants that have menus in six different languages – they’re tourist traps.
Then head to one of Venice’s many small bars and try cicchetti, which are little bites of food – including seared flank steak or tuna with cacao – on bread. They’re usually served with a glass of wine.
If you’re still hungry after feasting on these tasty morsels, it’s time to go searching for one of Italy’s most famous exports.
Gelato may have been invented in Florence, but Venice still dishes up some delicious frozen goodies for you to devour. Boutique Del Gelato serves some of the best house-made gelato you will taste, including Stracciatella-flavoured ice cream filled with delightful chocolate shavings.