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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.


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.

Santa Maria della Salute
Game of light and shadow at Palazzo Ducale
Venetian Mask

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.”

Somewhere in Venice
Piazza San Marco
Ponte dell’ Accademia

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.
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59 thoughts on “Venice: An Amazing Place to Get Lost”

  1. cikitaokt – Just an amateur photographer, a dream digger, book enthusiast, music enjoyer, fashion lovers, monochrome addict, that's me :)
    cikitaokt says:

    those really adorable views!

    1. Even GoogleMap cannot help, so I gave up on map 🙂 There were a few occasions that I walked in circle for several times before I found the way out.

  2. LostViivi – Finland – I'm a little lost in this big world. I find my home in unknown streets and forgotten forest paths. As passionate as I am about traveling I'm also about writing, books, and movies. I don't know where this writing blogs thing is going so anything is possible.
    Viivi Severina says:

    Beautiful photos! And I totally agree getting lost just means going exploring. 🙂

  3. Beautiful photos! And I agree that getting lost is the best way to explore 😀 When did you visit? Looks like late summer, but can’t be sure.. Doesn’t look too crowded!

    1. I was there in May, middle of May I think. Actually it was raining cat and dog just a few minutes earlier. That’s why you do not see many people on San Marco Square 😉

  4. Getting lost in Venice is one of the best things to do if you have the time when you’re there. There’s much to be discovered beyond the main tourist drag and attractions. One just has to stray off the beaten path 😉

  5. Your pictures are lovely. Just the right amount of romantic sunshine.

  6. fkasara – I'm Sara, a Northern Italian with experience in Italy's travel industry and hospitality sector. Other than the classic travel tips, in my blog I mainly share cultural and lifestyle aspects of the Belpaese, that often elude tourists, yet make our country unique. Be inspired, avoid cliches and let Italy spice up your life!
    fkasara says:

    Congrats on your post and point of view about visiting Venice: as an inhabitant of the Veneto region, I can tell you did the right thing. “Dancing” around the alley is the way to visit Venice 😉

  7. I’m going to Venice this weekend and I have pretty much no formal itinerary – I can’t wait to get lost as well!

    1. You will enjoy it, especially if the weather is nice 🙂 But bring warm clothes because Venice is quite windy. The temperature might not so low but the wind will makes you feel much colder. Enjoy Venice 😉

  8. jmacindoe – Toronto, Ontario – New blogger writing about travel, photography and whatever else peaks my interest. http://macindoe.ca/
    jmacindoe says:

    Beautiful post and shots!

  9. thepetalpusher – gardener, procrastinator, teacher, wife, daughter, friend, step-mother, pet owner, bike rider, angler, daydreamer, exerciser, not-a-very-good listener, walker, house cleaner, over-eater, lover, reader, voter, hiker, tutor, avoider, writer, fantasizer, painter, eye glass wearer, giggler, vacationer, traveler, photographer, Facebooker, Twitterer, shopper, pooper, stooper: Alas, a retiree!
    thepetalpusher says:

    One needs at least two weeks to really see Venice.

  10. Madhu – Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander
    Madhu says:

    What a fabulous Venice gallery! There is nothing quite like getting lost in Venice 🙂

  11. Forestwood – A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, I enjoy photography and craft, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.
    Forestwood says:

    Some stunning photos here, Len. I can see why people want to return to Venice, again and again. The domes of the Piazza would be a good central point to orientate oneself, I guess?

    1. That one is easy 🙂 But it becomes a challenge when the object is smaller, for example, the water bus stop. I saw it across the canal, but couldn’t find the way to go there. That’s the mystery of Venice, I guess 🙂

      1. Forestwood – A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, I enjoy photography and craft, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.
        Forestwood says:

        My gosh, it sounds like a cryptic crossword puzzle!

  12. fantasynovel1 – Hello! I am Fa and I'm not a native English speaker, sorry if my English and grammar are wrong... Please Note that NONE of the Art works/pictures in my blog belongs to me. I get them from Google. I don't know who the artist is but credit to him/her... but NOTE that the story itself is my ORIGINAL WORK. Also, I am an Amateur writer so read at your own risk. If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/fantasynovel1
    fantasynovel1 says:

    Wow so beautiful and “Put down your map and get lost.”❤❤👍👍

    1. Thank you for your compliment! After two visits, I found it’s the best way to explore Venice. Google Map does not work very well in this maze 😀

  13. Angelina Hue 许以诗 – Hong Kong – Born and raised in Singapore, now living in Hong Kong. Visual storyteller who can't write fast enough to keep up with her thoughts.
    Angelina Hue 许以诗 says:

    Agree – it’s striking how few people there can be if you were to walk one or two streets further from the usual tourist hot spots (e.g. San Marco) 😉

    1. While Venice is a mad house during the day, it is literally a ghost town at night. I used to get lost in some of the dark alleys, and I must admit I was freaking out 🙂 Not a single soul around, and the only thing I heard was my footsteps.

      1. Angelina Hue 许以诗 – Hong Kong – Born and raised in Singapore, now living in Hong Kong. Visual storyteller who can't write fast enough to keep up with her thoughts.
        Angelina Hue 许以诗 says:

        Indeed, it takes on a different ambiance come nightfall when most of the tourists would have returned to the massive cruise ships 😉

  14. I love getting lost, especially in Venice. Maybe my fondest memories of travel are from Venice. During my first visit, it was December and foggy. I wandered the streets hearing voices carry around the canals but never seeing anyone.

    1. That sounds mysterious 😉 I didn’t experience fog in Venice, but I did walk around at night. I must say it was a bit eerie. There was absolute silence and the only sound I could hear is my footstep. After running in circle for a few times, I found my way back to the hotel 😛

  15. justbluedutch – Bavaria, Germany – Expat- lifestyle Blogger from the land of Lederhosen & Dirndls. A self-taught Aquarelle & Mixed Media visual artist.
    justbluedutch says:

    I am doing a travel list and itinerary…I need to go to this place asap…please Corona,enough..let us travel again!

    Great job Len…as always! Cheers.

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