🇮🇹 Venice: The City of Canals, Colour and Charm 🇮🇹

A dreamy weekend getaway in Italy’s most enchanting city!

There’s no place quite like Venice. Built on a network of canals and brimming with romance, history and character, it’s one of those places that feels like a movie set brought to life. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, this city never fails to amaze.

It’s compact, easy to explore on foot, and filled with hidden gems at every turn, but be warned, your legs will get a workout! Venice is essentially a maze, and even with Google Maps, you’re bound to get a little lost. The good news? Every wrong turn leads to a new canal, a peaceful piazza or a picture-perfect bridge.

🛶 Getting Around Venice

Venice is car-free, so your main transport options are:
• On foot – Surprisingly walkable (just prepare for lots of steps and bridges!)
• Vaporetto (Water Bus) – Runs 24 hours a day with regular service
• Water Taxi – Faster but more expensive
• Gondola – A romantic splurge and a
must-do at least once

If you’re planning to explore multiple areas (including nearby islands), the 24-hour Vaporetto pass (€25) is great value. A single journey is €9.50, so the pass pays off quickly if you’re doing a few stops.

💙 Murano – Venice’s Little Brother

A short Vaporetto ride from the main island brings you to Murano, known for its world-famous glassmaking. You’ll find beautiful, intricate glass pieces displayed in shop windows that line the canals, everything from delicate vases to glittering chandeliers.

Visiting later in the afternoon is a great idea. It’s quieter, more relaxed, and gives you the chance to explore without the crowds. It’s a little like a mini-Venice with a slightly slower pace… or as we joked, “Venice’s little brother.”

🩷 Burano – The Island of Colour

If you only do one island trip from Venice, make it Burano. Known for its rainbow-coloured houses and traditional lacework, it’s one of the most photogenic places in Italy. Legend has it that the fishermen painted their homes in bold colours to help find their way through the fog and the result is pure joy to wander around.

Even in the rain, Burano has a charm all of its own, but when the sun comes out, it absolutely glows. From charming canals to lace shops and family-run restaurants, it’s the kind of place that makes your camera roll explode.

🍝 Venice Eats – Truffle Lovers Take Note

Venice may be known for seafood risotto and cicchetti, but it also delivers when it comes to hearty northern Italian flavours. One standout recommendation? A small canal-side restaurant serving truffle and porcini mushroom pasta, rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. With just a handful of outdoor tables, it’s the kind of place that books up fast, but if you can get in, it’s one to remember.
(Top tip: pre-book for dinner if you’re visiting over a weekend!)

Venice is magical in every way. It’s romantic, colourful, full of history and character, and so easy to fall in love with, whether you’re wandering aimlessly or ticking off the landmarks. It’s a destination that’s perfect for a short break or as part of a bigger Italian itinerary.

If you’re planning your own Venetian escape, I’d love to help you tailor it, whether that’s a weekend getaway or a multi-stop Italy adventure. And don’t forget to ask me about those little hidden gem restaurants and island hopping tips - I’ve got plenty!