Visiting Venice: How to Fall for a Cliched City

Alyssa Hollingsworth | July 13, 2016

The Art of Wandering

Though there are the standard big-ticket items you should try to see (like the Doge Palace and towers, etc.), the true magic of Venice is in the wandering. If you are in a crowded part of the city, simply take to the nearest alleyways and turn blindly down the first several streets you see. In no time, you’ll find yourself free to explore the area virtually by yourself.

Plan to get lost. Go as far off the beaten track as you can, and enjoy the local bakeries, paper shops, and mask-maker stalls you find. Find the nooks and crannies that are charmingly gorgeous, like the archways between apartments or the narrow, tall bridges. And definitely pop in and out of the churches–you’ll be surprised by the relics and art inside. (My favorite was the preserved monk’s hand encased in glass.)

When it’s time to find your way again, I highly recommend using Venice Travel Guide and Offline City Map app. These are built by locals, and they’re invaluable if you ever want to find your hotel again.

Alyssa Hollingsworth / Own Work

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