If you follow me on Instagram it's no secret that my husband and I celebrated ten years of marriage in the beautiful Venice back where we honeymooned and we have been lucky to visited 4 times in total, with the last just before Cancer and Covid were even a thing. The majority of this blog has been copied over from my old one, but I have popped in a few cheeky updates!
Our visit to Venice when on honeymoon couldn't have been more different to the most recent times. Perhaps we appreciate things differently, perhaps it's age or perhaps these last few times I either had researched it to death before we went, or I knew where we were heading.One thing that I did find whilst researching, was that there isn't much in the way of up to date reviews in a blog format. There are plenty of trip advisor reviews to trawl, however partly as a way to remember the most amazing time and partly to help others have just the same, the below is our trip broken down.... I will do it over a few blog posts as it's going to be one HUGE blog otherwise.
Length of stay
3 nights/4 days has always worked well for us - First flight out and last flight home.
For us child & dog care are a big factor for how long we can be away and so our trips are condensed down to make the most of every second. One thing is for sure, you will get some serious step counts if you truly explore!
Hotels
Ten years back for our honeymoon we stayed in the illustrious Hotel Danieli a once upon a time palace, steeping in history and grandeur with a budget to match! The last couple of visits this has been a special place for us to revisit for a cocktail.
Our subsequent stays were about us trying to ensure we found value, service and location and oh wow did we find it! The Hotel Canal Grande showed fantastic service before we even arrived. I had arranged for bubbly on arrival in our room and queried the best way to reach them via the airport. The info they passed back was not only extensive but very helpful and accurate. We opted for a private boat taxi, we arrived in Venice the same way before and there is something magical about how fascinating it becomes the closer you get.
On arrival our room was ready, as well as few upgrade options. We went for an upgrade simply because we got to look at all the options and the view was just brill. As a girl in sales, I know that they had this set up down to a "T" to get the extra from those booking through booking.com, but you know what I didn't care. It was worth it.
We booked via booking.com, however check out the hotel direct too. http://www.hotelcanalgrande.it/
The hotel The Hotel Canal Grande is set on what I would say is the best side of the canal, where you are able to watch the hustle and bustle from a distance and you are in close proximity to the train station. St Marks and all the big tourist attractions are easily walk able, and we much preferred what appeared to be the local route and real Venice. We sat and enjoyed a drink beside the canal courtesy of the Hotel balcony every evening, it was the perfect way to unwind from a day of exploring before we headed off for more food!
We have also stayed just along from the Danieli, but our most recent stay with friends was at the Una Esperanza and not far from the Canal Grande hotel. This one was tucked away in a side street off a canal and lovely! Super old (as you would expect) and lovely and clean. Our room had a bath and separate shower, however our friends only had a shower, so if like me you love a bath make sure you mention or request one!
On arrival our room was ready, as well as few upgrade options. We went for an upgrade simply because we got to look at all the options and the view was just brill. As a girl in sales, I know that they had this set up down to a "T" to get the extra from those booking through booking.com, but you know what I didn't care. It was worth it.
We booked via booking.com, however check out the hotel direct too. http://www.hotelcanalgrande.it/
The hotel The Hotel Canal Grande is set on what I would say is the best side of the canal, where you are able to watch the hustle and bustle from a distance and you are in close proximity to the train station. St Marks and all the big tourist attractions are easily walk able, and we much preferred what appeared to be the local route and real Venice. We sat and enjoyed a drink beside the canal courtesy of the Hotel balcony every evening, it was the perfect way to unwind from a day of exploring before we headed off for more food!
We have also stayed just along from the Danieli, but our most recent stay with friends was at the Una Esperanza and not far from the Canal Grande hotel. This one was tucked away in a side street off a canal and lovely! Super old (as you would expect) and lovely and clean. Our room had a bath and separate shower, however our friends only had a shower, so if like me you love a bath make sure you mention or request one!
Everything is in easy walking distance, the Banksy is pretty close too!
Try and catch the Fish market too, makes for a good lunch spot!
Food
So the below mentions are absolutely worth the mention. All very different, but all so very worth a visit. Get ready for the Carbs, you can't escape it- embrace it!
Pasta Dal Moros
Now this one will be trickier to find, the closer you get the more people tucking into their takeaway pasta pots you will see. Set hidden down a small alley you will find what looks like a fast food joint- DO NOT BE PUT OFF!! What you are about to eat is probably some of the best pasta I have had. We both added some extras and had to pay 13 Euros. The best bit was you get so much, you are filled for the day! The guy that runs the tills, is the grandson and it's all still a family affair. Never have we had such fresh pasta so quick and cheap. Please find this!
Al Squaro
Oh man do we enjoy this absolute gem and we return every time. We loved how we were sat among locals on a busy Saturday, we loved the house wine, we loved the food and we really loved that we were not paying crazy money. We sat in here for some time, made our way through a good number of chicetti & 3 glasses of house red wine and all for approx 30 Euros. As you can imagine we were rather giggly when leaving! The location is again away from the hustle and bustle, but positioned opposite one of the oldest squares in Venice. In fact it's opposite where the infamous gondolas are built. We were lucky to have grabbed some stall's at the bar, but people even stood outside and sat on the wall. We had such a giggle and this afternoon will firmly remain as one of our favourite memories of marriage.
So the below mentions are absolutely worth the mention. All very different, but all so very worth a visit. Get ready for the Carbs, you can't escape it- embrace it!
Pasta Dal Moros
Now this one will be trickier to find, the closer you get the more people tucking into their takeaway pasta pots you will see. Set hidden down a small alley you will find what looks like a fast food joint- DO NOT BE PUT OFF!! What you are about to eat is probably some of the best pasta I have had. We both added some extras and had to pay 13 Euros. The best bit was you get so much, you are filled for the day! The guy that runs the tills, is the grandson and it's all still a family affair. Never have we had such fresh pasta so quick and cheap. Please find this!
Al Squaro
Oh man do we enjoy this absolute gem and we return every time. We loved how we were sat among locals on a busy Saturday, we loved the house wine, we loved the food and we really loved that we were not paying crazy money. We sat in here for some time, made our way through a good number of chicetti & 3 glasses of house red wine and all for approx 30 Euros. As you can imagine we were rather giggly when leaving! The location is again away from the hustle and bustle, but positioned opposite one of the oldest squares in Venice. In fact it's opposite where the infamous gondolas are built. We were lucky to have grabbed some stall's at the bar, but people even stood outside and sat on the wall. We had such a giggle and this afternoon will firmly remain as one of our favourite memories of marriage.
Visiting later with friends also added some fab memories, I want to return to Venice every time I think of this place!
Alle Corone
Alle Corone
Now if you want to splash a bit more cash and really treat yourself, Alle Coronne is worth it. We have returned a couple of times and the last with our friends. We dressed up fancy and enjoyed the tasting menu so much we took NO photos. We sat, laughed and enjoyed every second..... and let me tell you, I am so glad that we did as what came next in our lives meant moments like these got us through.
You MUST book in advance.
Al Vecio Pozzo
Never have we eaten beef like we did here. Ever. This is quite possibly one of the best restaurants we have eaten in. It was recommended by the hotel, in fact they booked it for us. The first night they tried to get us in and it was full. When we first approached the building I will admit that I was unsure if it was going to live up to the rave review we had heard. It's not a fancy interior in fact the first part is quite brightly lit, however if you are looking to have a darker more romantic spot to sit ask for the next room, it's darker and more Venetian in style. We sat beside the chef that was bashing out some tasty looking pizzas! We opted for the house red- again amazing and so affordable as above in Al Squaro and we went straight in on a Chateaubriand. We were served the perfect amount of food, to go with the meat- which is seared and then finished by yourself at the table. We had a desert each and if memory serves me well, the lot cost us approx 55Euros. Please find this place and opt for the same, you won't be disappointed!
Never have we eaten beef like we did here. Ever. This is quite possibly one of the best restaurants we have eaten in. It was recommended by the hotel, in fact they booked it for us. The first night they tried to get us in and it was full. When we first approached the building I will admit that I was unsure if it was going to live up to the rave review we had heard. It's not a fancy interior in fact the first part is quite brightly lit, however if you are looking to have a darker more romantic spot to sit ask for the next room, it's darker and more Venetian in style. We sat beside the chef that was bashing out some tasty looking pizzas! We opted for the house red- again amazing and so affordable as above in Al Squaro and we went straight in on a Chateaubriand. We were served the perfect amount of food, to go with the meat- which is seared and then finished by yourself at the table. We had a desert each and if memory serves me well, the lot cost us approx 55Euros. Please find this place and opt for the same, you won't be disappointed!
I am well overdue a blog on more Venice and how to keep busy, here's a taster.....
