A romantic citytrip to Venice
Which airline to choose for flying first class to Venice?
Venice is a popular destination for many tourists. For this reason, many airlines have direct flights to the Italian city. In Europe, KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways are amongst the best if you want to buy first class tickets to travel. When flying from the States, American Airlines and Air Canada offer first class as well. When traveling from Asia, Emirates may seem like a logical choice for flying first class.
Why choose Venice as your destination?
Venice is best known as a romantic water town, the perfect wedding venue for celebrities and those who can afford it. It is indeed a picture, sometimes as if you are walking through a film set. The ancient facades, the narrow streets, the blue water in the canals: everything is right. Getting lost is the rule rather than the exception here, but don't worry. Venice is not big and the Grand Canal winds through the city in a curl, so that you come across it regularly. A handy reference point and a handy route.
Venice Marco Polo is the largest airport in Venice and is the closest to the center of Venice (about 12 kilometers). This way you can already see the city from the terminal. There are several ways to travel from Marco Polo Airport to the city center. For example, you can follow the water route or the land route. Both options are relatively fast, only the water route is a bit more special than overland.
For traveling overland, the Express bus is your best option. If you choose the water route, you better take the Alilaguna ferry. The Alilaguna is the ferry between Marco Polo Airport and Venice. From the terminal, it is about a 10-minute walk to the quay (Darsena Docks) where this ferry departs. The routes of the Alilaguna ferries have several stops in Venice where you can get on and off. If you want a faster way, there is also the water taxi.
Venice is best explored on foot. If you however need to travel quite a distance or want to visit a neighboring island, the Vaporetto (water bus) or water taxi is your way to go. You can buy day or multi-day passes.
Gondola ride
You can hardly escape it: a gondola ride. This is the most romantic getaway in Venice. Rent a gondola for a private ride on the waters of Venice. From the gondola, you can view the beautiful palaces on the water together. The gondola also takes you directly to all the beautiful sights in the city. Don't forget to sail under the world famous Rialto Bridge! This is a beautiful ancient stone bridge over the Grand Canal. To make it all romantic: take a gondola ride at the end of the afternoon and watch the sunset from the gondola!
Together, avoid the crowded tourist spots and stroll through the narrow streets and secluded squares. For example, visit the Dorsoduro district. Due to its narrow streets and beautiful buildings, this district resembles a village in the big city of Venice. Walk around here together and check out the small shops. The impressive basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is also located in this district.
Venice consists of 118 small islands and this makes the city ideal for exploring. Go island hopping together for a day with a water bus or water taxi. For example, you can go to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. In Murano, visit the glass museum and watch glass blowing. On the island of Burano you can find peace and see the colorful houses. Finish your day of island hopping at Torcello. On Torcello is the oldest cathedral in Venice, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Dinner at the water
Venice is of course famous for its many canals, which look beautiful at nightfall. In the evening, dine along the water in one of the many restaurants with a view of famous sights such as the elegant Rialto Bridge, the dome of the Basilica of San Marco or the exquisite Doge's Palace and admire how these gems light up during a golden sunset.
Piazza San Marco is the main square of Venice and is located on the Grand Canal. The square is the lowest point of the city, which means that it often floods during high water levels. On the square you will find the beautiful San Marco Basilica, which is definitely worth a visit. You will also find the entrance to the Doge's Palace, the bell tower Torre dell'Orologio, the Campanile, Biblioteca Marciana and various terraces. Behind St. Mark's Square is Bacino Orseolo, a boarding point for gondola rides.
The Bridge of Sighs is a famous bridge in Venice. It connects the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) with the prison. The place where Casanova and Galileo Galilei were once imprisoned. The name of the bridge refers to their sigh on the way to their destination. In the past, the convicts walked across the bridge before being locked up in the chilly dungeons. The prisoners saw daylight for the last time through the windows in the bridge.
The Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal and is the oldest and most famous of the four bridges. Where now a stone bridge connects the banks of the Grand Canal, there used to be a wooden bridge. This was replaced because the wooden bridge could no longer handle the large flow of people and goods. The best view of the bridge itself is from the water. On the bridge you have a beautiful view over the water. You will also find a number of shops here.
As an Italian city, Venice is also an absolute foodie paradise. So share with your sweetheart some of the most delicious dishes the Doge city has to offer: a fresh gelato al pistacchio, a jet black but oh so tasty risotto con nero di seppia or the bigoli in salsa, the Venetian interpretation of the well-known spaghetti.
Close to the Rialto Bridge, you will find Al Bancogiro, with a large terrace that overlooks the Grand Canal. A unique place to enjoy an aperitivo or dinner. It is delicious dining, with original dishes and fine wines on the menu.
Romantic Hotels in Venice
Even if modern and minimalistic makes your heart beat faster, in Venice you choose one of the numerous charming hotels that are decorated in a baroque style that will take you back to the heyday of Casanova. Does budget not play a role? Then stay at the Hotel Aman, a phenomenally beautiful hotel housed in a sixteenth-century palazzo, where Amal Clooney gave her yes to George, or stay at the hotel Danieli, the salmon-pink palazzo from the movie 'The Tourist'.
Can´t wait to see how romantic Venice is? Surprise your partner with first class tickets. Make sure to check our last minute tickets to find cheap flight tickets.
