Posts in ‘Things to do in Venice’

Many cities in Europe are laced with rivers and canals, and some are at the edge of the Atlantic or Mediterranean Oceans. So why not make time for some cruises, featuring gorgeous sights in some of the most beautiful cities in the world?

Prague, Czech Republic

One of my favourite cities in Europe, Prague has a perfect combination of Neo-classical charm and modern attractions. It is one of the few cities that as just as beautiful during the night as it is during the day. This tour takes you through an informative and insightful trip through the city, stopping at some of the most notable places. It then proceeds to a picturesque glide down the Vltava River, giving you a wonderful view of Prague’s skyline by night. Food and drink are provided on the cruise, as well as live entertainment.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A wonderful combination of a canal and city cruise, this Amsterdam tour takes you past some of the most prominent landmarks of the city, like the Royal Palace and the Skinny Bridge, as well as some of the iconic sights of Amsterdam, such as the windmills and 17th Century Merchant Warehouses. Enchanting and informative, this cruise crosses off two must-do’s in Amsterdam.

Frankfurt, Germany

This activity brings together a tour of the city with a dinner cruise by one of the most scenic parts of the city, the Rhine! The tour begins on an open-top bus, and stops twice: at Romer Square and Sachsenhausen. The cruise takes you through the Rhine Valley, which has inspired many poets and artists. Enjoy dinner with this picturesque backdrop in a charming waterside restaurant.

Venice, Italy

When you think of canals, you think of this Italian city. Out of the many Europeans cities I have visited, Venice is my favourite because of its quaint houses and built-in charm. Venice is famous for its myriad of twisting and connected canals, but that is not all there is to this loveable city. The islands close to Venice are just as remarkable, with unique aspects of their own! Visit Murano to see how its distinctive and beautiful glasswork is made, Burano for the wonderful lacework and Torcello for Venice’s first cathedral.

Budapest, Hungary

A defining aspect of Budapest is the river that runs through the city. The Danube used to separate two separate cities – the Buda side from the Pest side – but history has brought these two cities together into the one we all know. So slide along this historic and beautiful river to the many other towns along its edge. This cruise is extremely lovely and allows you to appreciate the beauty of river outside the bustling city of Budapest.

Whichever cruise you decide to try out, a good time and beautiful scenes are guaranteed!

A friend once told me that her New Year’s resolution was to be kissed as the clock struck twelve on the first day of the New Year. So here are some great and different places that I would suggest for that magical kiss with that special someone:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Famous for its Carnival, Rio is also great destination any other time of year. This is one of the few times of the year that the locals join the tourists for a great time! This celebration is on par with their Carnival and the fireworks are absolutely amazing. Dress up in white and share that New Years kiss on the beaches of Rio! And you cannot come all the way to Brazil without experiencing its rainforests, can you?

Venice, Italy

This small city in Italy is perfect for a New Year’s kiss. On the last night of the year, many restaurants in Venice have feasts starting from 9p.m. and lasting until midnight, with great food and cheap wine. Also, in St. Mark’s Square there is a huge celebration with music, fireworks and a huge group kiss at midnight. And nothing spells romantic like a gondola ride through the canals of Venice!

Cape Town, South Africa

Welcome the New Year dancing in Cape Town! Some of the hottest parties and celebrations are held in this seaside city, and you can have your special New Years Kiss while on the beach. You of course will have to try the wine while in South Africa, for it rivals even Italy for quality!

Hong Kong, China

Although the Chinese Lunar New Year does not coincide with December 31^st, there are still celebrations held in Hong Kong! You will not be at a loss to find a popping party the night of. Top the Hong Kong experience off with your New Years kiss while LED lights count down the last 60 seconds of the old year! You cannot forget the wonderful beauty outside Hong Kong either, for China is home to some of the most breathtaking sights.

Sydney, Australia

Although not as typically romantic as European cities, Sydney has a lot to offer. Enjoy your New Year’s kiss as some of the first New Year’s fireworks in the world explode in the night sky amid music! The best part of being in Sydney at the end of the year is that it is not wintertime; you will be coming in the height of summer. You can spend your days at the beach, dolphin spotting and enjoying the Australian lifestyle!

You might wonder what taking a hop on hop off Rome tour, buying Last Supper tickets, and embarking upon a Venice gondola ride have in common with Julia Roberts. If you’ve seen her latest film, then you will know that one third of it takes place in Italy, where all three of the above experiences can be enjoyed. continue reading

Travellers will be able to add even more culture to their tours of Venice this summer by paying a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to see an exhibition of modern sculpture.

Robert Rauschenberg: Gluts will be open at the prestigious art gallery in the Dorsoduro area of Venice from May 30th to September 20th.

The exhibition will feature approximately 40 sculptures known as Gluts that Rauschenberg, a prominent American artist, created between the years of 1986 and 1995.

To construct the wall reliefs and free-standing sculptures, Rauschenberg assembled various pieces of metal that he had collected, such as petrol station signs, car components and industrial parts.

The artist’s Gluts period was one of the latter stages of a career that had previously seen him interested in technology-based art and the use of materials including cardboard, paper and fabric.

Art lovers planning Venice tours this year will also be able to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to see a display of futurist art that includes pieces by Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla and others.

Venice – Fall in love all over again on a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and lose yourself in the grand St Mark’s Square.

Holidaymakers in Italy will be able to incorporate some high-octane sport into their Venice tours this spring at the city’s annual Raid Pavia-Venezia event.

This popular speedboat race is scheduled to come to Italy’s famous aquatic city on May 31st this year.

Raid Pavia-Venezia sees vessels varying from top-of-the-range speedsters to vintage boats racing along waterways from Pavia, in northern Italy just south of Milan, to Venice on the north-east coast.

The competition is an inclusive event, inviting participation from anyone with a full FIM/UIM licence.

Italian speedboat racer Dino Zantelli currently holds the record for the highest speed achieved during Raid Pavia-Venezia – an impressive 203km per hour set during the contest held in 2005.

People planning to enjoy some slightly more relaxing activities during their trips in Venice can take a gondola ride along the city’s picturesque canals or sample some famous Italian cuisine in a Venetian restaurant.

Venice – Fall in love all over again on a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and lose yourself in the grand St Mark’s Square.

Travellers on Venice tours will be able to join in with a celebration of the city’s waterways and maritime heritage this year at the Vogalonga.

This huge boat race is one of the city’s most popular traditional events, with a history stretching back to 1975 when it was founded by a group of rowing enthusiasts.

Scheduled for May 31st this year, the race will follow a route starting in St Mark’s basin, heading off around St Helen island and passing the isles of Mazzorbo, Madonna del Monte and San Giacomo in Paludo.

One of the most popular places to gather to see the race is the Punta della Dogana opposite St Mark’s Square, which serves as the finish line.

The organisers of the Vogalonga describe it as "an act of love for Venice and its waters, its lagoon and its islands", which embraces local history and traditions while also welcoming participants and visitors from around the world.

In 2007, more than 1,500 boats carrying over 5,000 rowers took part in the Vogalonga.

Venice – Fall in love all over again on a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and lose yourself in the grand St Marks Square.

Holidaymakers planning Venice tours over the coming month will be able to visit an exhibition providing a solemn but fascinating look at the city’s past.

The display at the Cassa di Risparmio hall in Campo San Luca looks at life in Venice between the years of 1915 and 1918, when the city became involved in the escalating conflict that came to be known as World War I.

Featuring historical documents, drawings, photographs and newspaper clippings, the exhibition explores the impact of the war on the urban makeup of Venice, which had a strategic role as a port city.

The exhibition, which will be open until April 20th, also features original pieces by a number of artists exploring the experiences that Venetian people went through during and after the war.

Venice boasts a number of museums and institutions that provide an insight into its culture and heritage, including the famous Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Museo Correr.

The most famous and popular landmarks for people on Venice tours to see include St Mark’s Square and Basilica, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the numerous bridges and canals.

Venice – Fall in love all over again on a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and lose yourself in the grand St Marks Square.

As might be expected of a city which is built on the sea and relies upon its myriad waterways for everything from transport to tourism, one of the highlights of the Venetian calendar is the annual Vogalonga rowing race.

This year’s race, on May 31st, will see several thousand eager hopefuls compete in the 35th staging of the contest.

The prestigious competition started in 1974 and sees plucky boat-folk start from the straight between St Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal, before a canon shot marks the beginning of the race.

Who completes the course first is irrelevant: this is a race where it really is the taking part (safely) that counts and fun is had by everyone, whether they finish at the front or come in dead last.

Tourists on Venice tours would be well advised to include the Vogalonga in their sightseeing plans as year after year it is a day filled with excitement and entertainment for all involved.

To describe Venice as being ‘married to the sea’ seems most apt given that is not just disconnected from the mainland but in fact relies on the sea for so much, including its transport network and its very physical stability.

On Ascension Day, marking the day Christ rose to heaven four days after his resurrection, locals and visitors on Venice tours gather to witness the remarkable Feast of the Sensa.

The event sees the mayor, or ‘Doge’, ride out into the water and perform a symbolic gesture of union between the city and the sea from which it emerges.

A gold ring is thrown into the sea in the mouth of San Nicolo port, before he returns to dry land to join in the celebrations with the rest of his citizens.

Nowadays, the event is more of a tourist attraction that anything else but is still held in high regard by many.

The mayoral boat is flanked by hundreds of ornately and elaborately-decorated craft of all shapes and sizes, which accompany the official on this important mission.

Venetian men show their romantic side on St Mark’s Day every year as they give roses to their beloved womenfolk.

On April 25th, Festa del Bocolo – rose bud festival – sees this tradition take place, with not just girlfriends, wives and lovers receiving the beautiful flowers but also mothers, sisters and any women who are important in a man’s life.

St Mark the Evangelist was a first-century gospel-writer, the patron saint of the city of Venice and is widely credited with the founding of the church in Africa.

After his death his remains are thought to have stolen and taken to Venice, where they lie in the basilica which bears his name.

Visitors on Venice tours might find themselves caught up in the mood and are encouraged to participate in this charming custom, which could see a few brownie points notched up with their significant other to boot.

Why not book the Tour Unusual on Foot and Gondola in advance?