Venice Overview

A city home to iconic waterways and a myriad of architectural masterpieces, it’s no surprise that Venice is the most visited destination in Italy. With over 5 million visitors a year, Venice is the perfect place to lose yourself in Italian art and romance. The city shines under the European sun, and the waters sparkle.

The art and architecture is a huge part of Venice, and you can see influences of the Renaissance throughout the city – both on water and land. For art enthusiasts, visiting Venice’s galleries is a must. Home to Venice’s largest collection of art, you’ll see pieces by Max Ernst, Picasso, Miró and many more. Explorers, writers, and poets took inspiration from the beauty of Venice – names like Marco Polo, Titian, Canaletto, and Vivaldi.

Today, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there have been restrictions and rules enforced to maintain its beauty and preserve its history. Venice itself is built on 118 small islands which can all be accessed by gondolas on the canals, and bridges on land. It’s complex – but that’s what makes it charming. Central to it all is the Piazza San Marco, also known as St Mark’s Square. This square is an assembly of social, religious, and political spaces – and one that is always a good reference point if you’ve lost your bearings.

Venice is charming year-round, but a particularly busy time is the period before Lent – around the end of February. For around 10 days, the city comes alive with live music, shows and balls. It’s a great time to experience the buzz of Venice, and for avid photographers – both professional and amateaur – it’s a great opportunity to get some spectacular shots, as costumes, outfits, and design are elaborate.

While we would recommend wandering around Venice, taking in the sights and charm of Italy’s most popular city at your own pace, there are plenty of tours to do. Most famous being a gondola ride through Venice’s waterways. A gondola is the name of the boat – a Venetian design that is typically Venice. The people who steer the boats are called gondoliers, and they carefully maneuver the boat through the narrow channels and delicate bridges.

Talk to the Expert

Perian

Originally from Toronto but now living in Italy, I’ve always been a traveler at heart. When I’m not planning your luxury European trip, you’ll find me hiking the Italian Alps or enjoying a lemon Spritz in Amalfi.

Perian

Italy Specialist

+1 844 879 7838

Our Trips to Venice

All of our tours are custom built to you, below are example itineraries curated by our Italian specialists to provide you with inspiration for your luxury tailor-made Italy tour.

Get in touch with our travel experts today.

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What to do in Venice

 

When to go to Venice

While tourists visit Italy year-round, the best time to visit Venice would be the spring and summer months. From March onwards, the weather starts to get warmer, and the hours of sunshine increase. The months of July and August are the hottest – with averages of around 82°F during the day. Like much of Italy, luxury hotels are well-prepared for these temperatures, with air conditioning and fans on offer. The traditional gondolas often do not have shade, so we advise bringing hats. Arguably the best (but also the busiest) time to visit Venice is late February. For 10 days, the city celebrates the Venice Carnival – a collection of performances, shows, and flamboyant outfits and costumes.

 

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