24 hours in Venice

June 24, 2014

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

 

 

 

 

 

I spent 24 hours in Venice at the end of last week; I was there for work, to visit the spectacular new ship Regal Princess. By the time we arrived at our hotel by vaporetto (so James Bond) it was already dark, and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute looked spectacular against the night sky.

Island of San Giorgio Maggiore

 

 

 

 

The following morning I was determined to get up early and walk to the Piazza San Marco – our hotel, the Hotel Monaco, has a fantastic location right on the Grand Canal and this was my view of the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore when I threw open the shutters on my balcony at 6.30am (NB there aren’t ANY filters on any of these photos). Isn’t it spectacular? Like a watercolour.

Piazza San Marco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking around Venice it’s always easy to see why it has inspired so many artists, particularly of course Canaletto. I was walking around at 7am and for once the Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) was almost completely empty – just me, a couple of pigeons, a few tourists with insomnia and a street cleaner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campanile

 

 

 

 

It’s always such a thrill to see the Campanile…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Theodore granite column

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two granite columns that stand at the edge of the square on the lagoon looked fantastic in the early morning light – this one, next to the Zecca (mint),  has the statue of St Theodore…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

doorway Basilica San Marco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I was also able to go right up to the Basilica San Marco – normally there are tourists all around…

 

 

 

 

 

astronomical clock Piazza San Marco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the stunning astronomical clock…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice canal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beauty of Venice is that there is always something stunning around every corner.

 

 

 

View from the Hotel Monaco Venice

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards I went back to the hotel to have breakfast al fresco. The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute looked splendid in the sunshine and the blue of the gondolas and the red of the geraniums is a fabulous combination. You could never get tired of that view, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice apartments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every time I visit Venice I fall more in love with this beautiful Italian city, the wonderful architecture and ever-changing light. I’ve already told you why Venice is great for kids. You can see a lot in 24 hours in Venice but of course it isn’t enough. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I return.

 

 

 

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  • Suzanne June 24, 2014 at 10:36 am

    I love little business diversions and Venice looks perfect – one day I will get there! My last business diversion without kids was to Orkney – not quite the same but still nice to explore on my own for once.

  • Jennifer Howze June 24, 2014 at 9:10 am

    I’ve never been to Venice — it’s on my dream list of places to visit.