Since the height of its 17th-century splendour, this seductively sensuous Carnevale has lured visitors from afar. Sadie Briggs visits Venice in search of the magic behind the masks. Being swept along tall, narrow streets in an anonymous crowd of beautifully opulent revellers with music, shouting and whoops of excitement coming from every direction, can be […]
The smuggling of the mortal remains of St Mark to Venice from Alexandria in 828 satisfied a Divine Will – according to the Venetian version of the story, anyway… When, in the 4th Century AD, St Mark the Evangelist allegedly visited the then uninhabited lagoon, an angel appeared unto him saying: “Pax tibi Marce, Evangelistameus!” […]
Gondolas on the Grand Canal by Sian Jones “This was taken from Rialto bridge, it shows the variety of boats using the Grand Canal, as well as the elaborate buildings. My partner and I were there in May, we had been to explore the wonderful Rialto markets. It looks like the gondolas are going to […]
Venice by Stephen Fryers “I had lived in the Ventian lagoon in the late ‘90s but had not returned to the island for well over 12 years, until a recent business trip allowed me to go back. I was lucky to have a Sunday free and the weather in December played ball with one of […]
Brian Lloyd Duckett, by email “Please see the attached, it was taken last week in Venice, on a trip out to Burano. We were sitting on the wall looking out to the Lagoon, enjoying a gelato, when this guy came past…”
Elizabeth Jones, Guildford “This is Venice, in spring time, before the crowds have arrived. We had just come to the end of our first gondola trip and were standing watching another gondolier passing and relishing the wonderful experience.”
Native Venetian Sara Scarpa and her photographer boyfriend Iain Reid share their recommendations for the best places to eat out in Venice… The beautiful country, or bel paese, as it is referred to in Italian, is famous around the world for its art, culture and traditions. But it also has a reputation for its outstanding […]
Venetian canal, Lynn Hill “While visiting Venice in 2009 I came across two buildings, one in shadow, one in sunlight. I was captivated by the view of the canal through the buildings.”
Carnival Costumes by Rosemary Wilmot “I was lucky to join the procession for the Silent Gondola Parade for the end of Carnevale – absolutely fantastic – in an old Batella for eight people. All the palazzi were candlelit, and even the waterbus stops were illuminated with candles. We had two lady rowers, and had mulled […]
Liz Harper takes her eight-year-old daughter to Venice for her first experience of the Serenissima and finds plenty for kids to enjoy in the city… “Wow mum, look at that!” my daughter giggled, pointing at a large wooden boat that had arrived alongside our kayak on the Grand Canal. A well-dressed couple, sipping espressos, were […]