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48 hours in Venice

So we've made it to #Venice and it is BEAuuuutiful šŸ˜šŸ˜šŸ˜

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Ok so I can't leave #Venice out – just LOOK at it šŸ˜šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ #Italy #ig_italy #venezia

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Ciao bellas!

On my recent Italian Escapade I had the chance to explore beautiful Venice, somewhere that had been on my bucket list for YEARS! We only had two full days to explore,Ā but we definitely made the most of our short time in The Floating City, and it certainly lived up to our high expectations! Two full days actually gives youĀ enough timeĀ to see the sights withoutĀ the need for another night’s stay,Ā so here is my list of must seeā€™s and my guide on how to make the most of your time in the cityā€¦

Arrive in style by private water taxi

 

Arriving in style by private water taxi! Bonjourno #venice šŸ™‹ #Venezia #Italy #wanderlustwednesday

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If you’re going to Venice, you’re going to want to arrive feeling like a VIP, and taking a privateĀ water taxi from Marco Polo airport into the city itself makes you feel exactly that! We had pre-booked a private water taxi, or Vaporetto as they are known locally, with HolidayTaxis for a hassle free journey to the centre of the city. Although there are public ferries leaving every half an hour, they are crowded and take up to 80 minutesĀ to reach the centre, so splashing out on a privateĀ water taxi is definitely worth the money and will get you there in just half an hour, crucial if you’re limited on time!

 

ExploreĀ the beautifulĀ Basilica

 

The focal point of the city; the beautiful basilica šŸ’’ #Venice #venezia #ig_italy #italy

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One of the focal points of the city, Basilica di San Marco is a popular tourist attraction right at the heart of St Mark’s Square. Entry to the Basilica is free, but visitors are encouraged to leave donations and light candles. A small charge is made to access the altar and a further small charge is made to access the roof terrace which is well worth doing! You can climb to the top of the terrace for views across to St Mark’s Square and entry to the historicĀ museum is also included.

 

Take a gondola ride

 

Ride a gondola in Venice – TICK! āœ…āœ… Next stop Florence šŸš‚šŸš‚ #bucketlist #italianescapade #tourists

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No trip to Venice is complete without taking a ride on a gondola! Although it is expensive, it is one of those bucket list experiences that must be enjoyed during your trip. A ride on a gondola will set you back 80 euros (half an hour trip) but you’ll explore the city from a whole different perspective and it is worth the money. As a tip I would definitely recommend catching a gondola from the Rialto Bridge, as opposed to the Grand Canal waterfront or anywhere else in the city. Riding under the Rialto Bridge is pretty special, and gives you a fantastic photo op! Boat rides around the Grand Canal waterfront looked fun (although I think you have to pay extra to go underneath the Bridge of Sighs), but you won’t see much of the city with its little canals and waterways, so catching one from the Rialto Bridge is definitely recommended.

 

Soak up the ambienceĀ in St Mark’s Square

 

Listening to live #Italian music whilst in #Venice – grazie, grazie! šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹šŸŽ¶

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Venice is quite a small city, so it’s nice that you can see everything you want to within justĀ  a couple of days. If you’ve done everything and are stuck for something to do, why not just park yourself in the middle of St Mark’s Square and soak up some typical Venetian atmosphere?! There are a number of bars and cafe’s dotted around the Square, and it gets busy at night-time with people enjoying dinner and drinks. It can be expensive to eat out in the Square though; some bars charge a fee justĀ for sitting at the table whilst listening to the resident live music bands! If you’re on a budget why not grab some plastic glasses and a bottle of wine and sit on one of the benches in the Square? You’ll still be able to enjoy the atmosphere and listen to the fantastic Italian music without paying for the privilege! If it’s bright sunshine in the middle of the day though, grab a creamy gelato and enjoy the warm weather whilst people watching in the Square!

 

Visit the city’s many museums

 

La Piazza šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ #sanmarco #venice #venezia #italy

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Venice is home to a number of different museums, the most famous being the beautiful Doge’s Palace overlooking the Grand Canal. Dating back to the 10th century, the Venetian Gothic landmark can be toured with or without a guide and boasts stunning architecture throughout. If you’re looking to visit as many museums as you can during your time in Venice, I’d recommend purchasing a museum pass at one of the tourist information centres which allows access into a number of important and historicĀ buildings across the city, perfect especially if the weather isn’t great!

Climb the CampanileĀ for a birds eye view

 

Campanile di San Marco: 323ft high and showcasing #Venice from every angle! šŸ˜šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ #tbt #italy #ig_italy

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Seeing Venice from above is pretty special, and the views across to St Mark’s Square and the city’s neighbouring islands and waterfront is breath-taking. Climbing the 323ft bell tower is easy as you can take an elevator straight to the top, and you can spend as little or as much time as you want exploring the city from every angleĀ once you’re up there. If you’re lucky enough to look under 18 you can get away with paying half price for your ticket tooĀ – a nice little money saving tip!

So there we have it,Ā my top tips on exploring Venice in a whirlwind 48 hours! Immerse yourself in the romance of the city, visit the sites andĀ get around on a gondola for the full Venetian experience. Hopefully this post inspires you for your trip to the city and helps with that all important planning!

Have you ever been to Venice? Tell me what you thought of it, Iā€™d love to hear your comments!

Love Jess x

Arriverderci #Venice – you've been beautiful! šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ #Italy #venizia

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This place tho šŸ˜šŸ‡®šŸ‡¹ #Venezia #venice #italy

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    • JourneyswithJessica
      JourneyswithJessica says:

      Ah Venice should definitely be up there on the bucket list Emma! Even if you’re not huge on cities, Venice is actually quite small so you can see all the sighs in a short amount of time and then spend a few days on the beach (there’s a Lido which you can take a ferry to) or go and explore the three neighbouring islands to see somewhere different! The water taxi was such a unique way to arrive in Venice – highly recommended! Let me know if you do end up going! Jess x