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Philadelphia may be the City of Brotherly Love, but Venice is clearly the City of Romantic Love. One of the world's most beautiful and magical places, Venice offers magnificent views of ornate bridges, scenic canals, and grandiose palazzi and campi. Its rich history and culture is enough to satisfy any visitor and the experience of the city itself crafts romantic notions like a stunning Italian fresco.
A city as exquisite as Venice can be enjoyed anytime but we recommend you consider visiting during the city's off-season. From May to October, Venice is flooded with crowds of tourists that may prevent you from enjoying your trip as much, especially in the commercial areas such as Piazza San Marco. During the off and shoulder-season, hotels cut their rates, allowing you to upgrade your accommodations for a better price. Another benefit is that you can avoid the aroma from the canals that can seep its way through the city during the heat of July and August. We visited Venice in early May, which provided us with beautiful weather in addition to many of the advantages of the off-season. The daytime temperatures were consistently in the low to mid 70's, with almost no rain.
We learned quickly that there are two ways to travel in Venice: on foot or by water. The secret to seeing and discovering the real romance and beauty of Venice is to walk. One of the least expensive forms of water travel is the Vaporetti, or water bus (6.50 Euro per person). Though buses tend to be crowded during the day, the Vaporetti is an efficient and fun way to get from one place to another. Water taxis are more expensive but are also the quickest way to travel-not to mention they offer plenty of privacy and lots of room for luggage (from the airport, usually around 90€ for up to 4 people).
And, of course, we cannot forget the Gondolas. They are a relaxing and romantic way to see Venice (about 80€ for 40 minutes). At an additional cost, you can hire a gondola for serenate, which includes an accordionist and singer at night. The experience is well worth the expense, whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply like to travel in style.
During our visit, we stayed at the deluxe 5-star Ca'Sagredo Hotel which overlooks the Grand Canal. Belonging to the chain, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Ca'Sagredo is a perfect example of the Venetian palace hotel, with traditional artwork, furnishings and décor well integrated with more modern stylistic elements and conveniences.
This exquisite hotel was the noble Sagredo family residence and is now considered a national monument among Italians. It is also a first-class accommodation that has inherited from the past its splendid bent for the arts. The Sagredo family renovated the building in the early 18th century, and its caretakers have restored the beautiful art it acquired during that time period. These works include a remarkable indoor staircase designed by Andrea Tirali and walls decorated (by Pietro Longhi in 1734) with a fresco inspired by Giulio Romano's Battle of the Giants, found in the Palazzo del Te in Mantua.
As if the art were not enough, Ca'Sagredo boasts breathtaking views of the Grand Canal and is located in one of the best areas of the city. It is just a short walk from Venice's treasures: St. Mark's Square, the Ca' Doro, the Rialto Bridge and the great museums. In the afternoon or early evening, you can enjoy a glass of Prosecco on the outside
balcony and watch the boats and gondolas go by. And for those of you who consider cuisine among the highest art forms, dinner at Ca'Segrado's five star restaurant, L'Alcova is not to be missed. Based in local traditions, the food created by Master Chef Giampaolo Cosimo will delight your eyes and your palate.
To experience the ultimate in luxury accommodations, framed by the magic of 18th Century Venice, Ca'Sagredo is one of the most exclusive palaces of the city in which to stay. Lorenza Lain, the hotel manager, and her staff give their attention to even the most minute details to ensure that you are comfortable during your stay. Rooms at Ca'Sagredo range from 450€ for a double to 2500€ for the Grand Canal Presidential Suite. The unique and unforgettable experience of residing there during your time in Venice is certainly worth it.
For more information about Ca'Sagredo Hotel please visit www.casagredohotel.com. To see other Small Luxury Hotels of the World, visit www.slh.com. |
