Venice. #review

It has been my life long dream to go to Italy. In case you don't know I love to travel but have just never had the chance to go; it just never seemed the easy type of place to get to like some other city breaks. In fact about 10yrs ago I huffily gave my well thumbed lonely planet 'Italy' guide to my bestie who was going at the time and said "keep it ! "Anyway fast forward and my lovely man surprised me to a trip to Venice this summer and I couldn't have been more excited. I actually cried when we arrived it was so beautiful...as you will see some of pictures look fake but I promise they are all real. 

Flights
It was slim picking from Newcastle so we went from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 as also had great times for childcare and work! We decided to book the Lounge and think we will every time in future, it was so good. On this particular day the airport was beyond rammed, you couldn't even get a seat. This on the other hand was like walking into a secret part of the airport, SO relaxing, lovely food and unlimited drinks. Last time we came through there we paid £30 for 1 round of drinks so actually think it worked out more economical too. A full English and a bottle of fizz, we were ready to go.

Hotel
Wingers booked this as a special treat and said he was going between two 5* hotels. We ended up with the 'Centurion Palace' which was really lovely and the views were superb. However, from a blogger perspective I couldn't in good conscious recommend it. For the price the rooms were really small and a bit dated. We also had a right to do when we nipped back to change on the first day. We were both walking round not a stitch on and the cleaner without knocking just walked straight in exposing us to the whole corridor of people! I know it's an accident but we told reception and they couldn't have cared less and didn't even apologise. The drinks and food were also extortionate whereas if you walked literally one minute outside there is a cluster of fab bars selling the same Aperol Spritz for €3 not €20. By chance we ended up visiting the other hotel and wished we had stayed there. I think we were so spoilt with our hotel in Wroclaw last year for about a 10th of the price including a suite we cant help compare now. That is literally the only thing we would have changed though on the whole trip, 

TIP: Get a nice clean Hotel but don't go over board as you will never be there! 

Venice.
So if you don't know is on the north east coast of Italy and has its own airport. I was howling as we walked about 10mins and you are straight onto water....In fact everything is on water from ambulances to police! I know that's what you see but I didn't expect everything to be or straight from the airport. We paid for a private water taxi and for us it was worth every penny experiencing Venice for the first time, it was like a personal tour. I nearly fell over board when they pulled straight up to our hotel door. I don't know why but I thought we might get dropped and walk. Nope. Right to the door. Magic!

I've been asked lots where to go and what to see and got frustrated with my friend when I asked her the same and she couldn't elaborate  BUT I can see why. Hand on heart EVERYWHERE is so beautiful and unique you cant go wrong. Every corner is a postcard. Unlike some other cities, we never once felt unsafe and its so clean and relaxed. We walked for miles and just stopped for a drink or a slice of pizza a long the way. 

Food.
We didn't have one bad meal the whole time, everything is just delicious. Pasta, Pizza, Gelato, Aperol's, Crepes, Seafood..oh and if you have never tried a 'Hugo' cocktail, it's a game changer! Kind of like Aperol but with elderflower so very refreshing. 

TIP- My main one would be to start at St Marks square, have a look around. Climb the tower - The Que moves very fast, its only €8pp and well worth the views. Have a drink over looking the water or the square listening to a string quartet, steady yourself for the bill and then leave. EXPLORE after that. Every street and turn there is something interesting and beautiful, you never get bored. It's a bit cheesy but a Gondola ride is also a must.


Burano.
The one thing REALLY worth doing is getting a ferry over to Murano/Burano islands just off the coast of Venice. - You can easily get there via the main ferry port. It's about 40mins and €10 each. We just winged it our selves, although you can book a tour. It is absolutely stunning and so much calmer than Venice. Rows and rows of multi coloured little houses, beautiful views over the water, gorgeous eateries and the infamous glass. We just pottered a bit, had an Aperol...of course. Walked around all the lovely buildings. Watched some pretty glass being blown and had a necklace made for my Mum's birthday. We then headed for a lovely lunch at Osteria Al Museo Burano  I went for fresh sea food but Wingers claims he had the best pasta of his life here. Even better we bumped into some friends by pure chance there and spend a lovely boozy afternoon with them and shared a water taxi back for more drinks. 

Venice was everything we could have wished for and more. It is so stunning, romantic and unique. We are already planning another trip and definitely want to explore Italy as much as possible now.