Venice: exciting things to do.
Venice Biennale and other must - have experiences.
An event that is not to be missed - Venice Biennale
a couple of weeks ago the 17th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice was supposed to open its doors to the public. However, due to the pandemic it got postponed to the next year. In the light of those events, let's reminisce about the last 2 Biennales (2016 and 2018) and see what it is and why you should definitely go next year.
WHAT?
"In the art context, biennial (or biennale, as it is sometimes styled) has come to mean a large international exhibition held every two years. The first was the Venice Biennale in 1895, which was situated in the Giardini, a public park, and now houses thirty permanent national pavilions and many smaller temporary structures. The early years were dominated by European art, but the exhibition now includes contributions from countries in South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East." - Tate org.
WHERE?
Arsenale
Giardini
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Arsenale
Giardini
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WHY GO?
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to get to know/discuss/rethink contemporary societal, humanistic, and technological issues
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to visit one of the most amazing industrial building in Venice - Arsenale
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to walk in the shady streets of Giardini
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to see the best of each country’s art and architecture
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to play with your perception of space
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to have a coffee in one of the multiple little cafes on the premises
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to become overwhelmed by the aesthetic appeal of your surroundings
10 must - have experiences in Venice
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Have coffee while listening to live musicians play on the St. Mark's Square
St. Mark's Square, although just as touristy as a gondola ride, needs to be visited. Sometimes the place is crowded for a reason and the crowd should not become an obstacle for you to enjoy it.
Come early in the morning for your first coffee of the day. Have a sit outside, at the place called Florian - est.1720, it offers fresh pastry and one of the best coffees you will ever try in your life. Sitting in the shade, under the arch, have a glimpse at the crowds on the plaza, at the doves flying and the musicians playing. Black out the hustle, and hear the music, taste the food and look high up - at the breathtaking facades of Venetian architectural marvels.
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Visit the book store on the water
Libreria Acqua Alta - a self-proclaimed most beautiful bookshop in the world, which I agree with, where you will find books in the bathtubs, books in the bins and even in gondolas. Find a hidden treasure or a rear book, pet a cat and have a chat with the owner or an employee.
Go to the local market
Mercati di Rialto - for fresh fruit, veggies, and, of course, fish - buy to prep yourself & eat at a beautiful place of your choosing or have a taste in one of the local cafes at the market.
*Don't just focus on the main one, try food from the markets on the small plazas as well
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Get lost on the streets of San Marco, San Polo and Castello
Explore the city by foot, explore the city by boat, look over it from one of the countless rooftop places.
*most hotels have a rooftop terrace, also bars like Restaurant Terrazza Danieli and Settimo Cielo have breathtaking views.
Try on a mask
Become a part of the centuries-old tradition.
*personal favorite shop - La Bottega Dei Mascareri
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Canals, canals, canals
Take a boat ride, a gondola ride, walk by them, walk over them - narrow, wide, busy or quite - they are a part of the city, the fundamental part, I might add. So it's important to fully enjoy them. Rather than rushing by, spend time sitting on one of the quite streets, legs down towards the water, a newly purchased book (either from Biennale bookshop or Liberia Acqua Alta) and a spoonful of gelato. Take a moment from rushing though this magnificent city, just stop for an hour and enjoy.
*for best gelato - VizioVirtù Cioccolateria, Gelateria Il Doge or Venchi.
Venice is based on the 118 islands spread around the lagoon. So rather than staying on the main few, let's explore some of the further ones.
*As an added bonus while going to the island, you will have a nice boat ride with the view of all the sights from afar.
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Visit Murano - the island of glass
A place where the famous Murano glass is being made - attend a glassblowing demonstration and buy a souvenir or two.
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Visit Burano - the island of colour
Sailor's island with the best seafood, delicate lace objects and quiet residential streets.
The burst of colour and authentic island life is what you get on the many narrow streets of Burano.
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Follow the steps of Carlo Scarpa
Fondazione Querini Stampalia and Olivetti Showroom are the places to go to to fully appreciate the talent of the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa - pay separate attention to staircases and doors.
*other places to explore: Galleria dell’Accademia, Ca’Foscari University and the Sculpture Garden.
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EAT!!!
...a lot, eat diverse and have some wine with that.
Other than your usual pizza and pasta, have seafood (better so, have it while in Burano, which is not only colourful but a famous fishing island), polenta, rice and venetian cookies.
*personal must-visit: Bistrot de Venise - a MICHELIN restaurant with a lengthy wine list and a traditional Venetian cuisine