Venice: An Amazing Place to Get Lost

Tiếng Việt

Getting lost in a new place is not always a pleasant experience. Angry, anxious, somehow vulnerable are what we typically feel. But losing orientation in an amazing place like Venice is a completely different story.

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Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you have seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more magical and dreamlike than you can imagine. The capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region is built on more than one hundred small islands in the Adriatic Sea. With turquoise water shimmers everywhere, canals where streets should be, and marble palaces and churches seemingly rising out of the water, it reflects centuries of history in what was an important trading center between Europe and the Orient. And in the medieval world, Venice is one of the greatest capitals.

Explore in My Own Way

With its maze-like alleys and narrow waterways snaking away from the bustling Grand Canal, Venice is the perfect place to get utterly lost. In fact, ask most people who have ever been there and they will recall with at least one anecdote about losing their orientation. It’s a mystery of Venice – a city that you can truly see, only by getting lost.

While wandering around, I found a wonderful little shop that sells fabulous masks and costumes. There was a church that features blueprints and replicas of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, as well as a Venetian-style cafe where drinks and sweets were gingerly served like hundreds of years ago. I encountered numerous picturesque scenes and corners that I can hardly know by name. But the best part of getting off the beaten track is that we didn’t have to push through the tourists to make our way.

However, no matter how far did you get lost, the journey will inevitably end up in the Piazza San Marco. Here, tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or a Spritz. So, my best advice on exploring Venice: “Put down your map and get lost.”

Tips for visiting Venice

• Rolling Venice Pass is highly suggested for young visitors (14-29 years). It costs only 4€ but it grants discounted access to many attractions. Additionally, you can buy a 72-hour public transport pass for 18€ rather than the regular price of 33€.
• For older travellers, the Venezia Unica City Pass is a great alternative.
• From Venice, it’s easy to make a trip to Burano. Though the island is located just seven kilometres northeast of Venice, its appearance is entirely different.
• Overall, accommodation in Venice main island is small and pricey, and if I remember correctly, you have to pay a relatively high city tax. Another option is to look for accommodation in Murano – the glassmaker island, where rooms are more spacious and you only have to pay a very low city tax.
• A Venetian speciality which you should try is the Squid Ink Pasta. My Master was a bit reluctant to try it at first because of the black colour, but the dish at Rivalonga Restaurant in Murano turned out really tasty.