The best parts of studying abroad in Venice

Food. Sightseeing. People. Character. Venice has a certain special charm in its twisting canals and cobbled alleyways steeped in history and culture. It is enthralling and beautiful – there is just no other place like it.

Welcome to Gelato Heaven

One thing you have to do if you ever go to Venice is to take advantage of it’s gazillion gelato shops (you’ll never have trouble finding one). Venice’s gelato is absolutely delicious and very affordable. Coming in a multitude of flavors, ranging from the classic pistachio to Opera (a hazelnut Nutella masterpiece).

During my three-day stay in Venice, I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in gelato. But, I have absolutely no regrets.

Yummm hot Italian… pasta

Are you craving for some fast, piping hot, fresh, and tasty pasta? Stop by Dal Moro’s Pasta. The lovely staff members are friendly, fun, and absolutely charming. They are very tourist friendly and always willing to throw a few phrases (complimentary and/or flirtatious) from the different languages they have picked up along the way.

Piazza de San Marco

Hosting the ornate St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, the latter being close to 600 years old, Piazza de San Marco is a must-stop tourist destination:

And even better… high tide time!

If you don’t mind getting your feet wet (literally), remember that high tide is at its peak at 9pm (in June at least) and it transforms Piazza de San Marco into:

Perfect for frolicking in cool lagoon water on a nice summery Venice night (and join all the other people wading around in knee-high high tide)

Libreria Acqua Alta

The high tide is so notable that there is a quirky bookstore with high tide in its name! Self-proclaimed as the most beautiful bookstore in the world, Libreria Acqua Alta contains a multitude of books of various natures, piled in gondolas, bathtubs, and all the nooks and crannies. If you are careful, you may even spot the resident cat!

Bridge of Sighs

Another landmark worth stopping by, the Bridge of Sighs was the last thing inmates saw while being shuttled away from a trial in Doge’s Palace to the dungeons. Apparently photographing it is bad luck, but photographing it from the inside-out should be fine… hopefully.

Last but not least… the famous Gondolas

Looking at the city at water level is a startling perspective and one can only imagine what it was like to cruise down a canal back in the good ol’ days of the Republic of Venice.

It is quite stunning how gondola rush hour can change serene little canals into ^

Although gondola rides are a bit pricey, as long as you are careful and do your research, so you don’t get ripped off, it’s definitely worth a ride. Even if it’s just to see what all the hype is about. If you really want to be fancy/romantic, you can get someone to serenade you as well while cruising down the Grand Canal.

Down the Grand Canal to the grand finale…

All in all, this is a mere fraction of all the perks and quirks of Venice. You may discover more hidden gems as you try to navigate it on your own. Venice is a city to get lost in. In fact, instead of haggling with a map of the city, trying to figure out all those intricate canals, you might as well wander around and explore. It’s funny how often you stumble upon your intended destination by mere chance. That is the magic of Venice.