Living the Life in Venice

Venice is a wonder to visit. Being an Erasmus student in Padova, I am fortunate enough to live only 30 minutes by train from one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Venice is popular year-round, with tourists coming from everywhere (Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Asia and Europe). On sunny days, Venice is completely unmissable, and not only is Venice itself gorgeous, its' surrounding islands and nearby cities are incredible too, such as Murano, Burano, Lido di Venezia, Vicenza, Padova, Cittadella, Bassano del Grappa and more. When you arrive in Venice (via the train station Venezia Santa Lucia), head straight out and buy a 1-giorno pass for the Vaporetto (waterbuses) at the ticket bay, and head out exploring.

Head to Rialto first, to see the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, a small palazzo with a huge external spiral staircase, Ponte di Rialto, a huge bridge, and the Market, which boasts everything you'd want to buy.

Next, hop onto a Vaporetto again and get off at Fondemente Nove, where you'll find Libreria Acqua Alta, a wonderful library filled to the brim with books, home to 4 resident cats, and one of the funniest owners of a bookshop you could ever imagine. There's a boat in the middle of the store, filled with books, vintage books, new books, posters, art prints, maps, toys, bookmarks, postcards, cards and more. There's also a view of the canal from one section of the bookshop, and a large staircase from another section, on which you can stand, walk up, take pictures and see out over the canal. At Fondamente Nove, there's also Santa Maria Formosa, a beautiful church nearby. Also close to the Fondamente Nove Vaporetto Stop is the Chiesa Santa Maria Assunta, an incredibly beautiful baroque-style Church, otherwise known as I Gestuiti. Inside, there are paintings by the renowned Tintoretto. Another good visit is to be had to the Biblioteca Marciana (previously a hospital), where you'll find a huge medical library, including collections of once-used medical instruments. Opposite Fondamente Nove, you'll see the San Michele Island, which is home to an an enormous cemetery. Whilst it sounds somewhat morbid, it is beautiful and the architecture surrounding the Island is astoundingly stunning. It's a waste to not visit the island, given its good location.

One of the most famous places to visit in Venice is Piazza San Marco. Get the Vaporetto to San Marco Vallaresso where you can visit the Basilica di San Marco for free. If you wish to visit the museum and the terrace, you will have to pay a fee (however it isn't too expensive) and the view is breathtaking.

At the Vaporetto stop Salute, you'll find Santa Maria della Salute, one of the most gorgeous churches in Venice, which is hailed by Venetians as one of the most magnificent churches in all of Italy. Within, Italian painter Tintoretto's paintings are displayed.

Make sure to visit the Jewish Quarter, which is easily reachable from the Guglie Vaporetto stop. Here you'll find lovely colourful houses, with restaurants, bars and cafés nearby, many offering Kosher meals. Make sure to also check out the square in the Jewish Quarter, which is always bustling with people. There is also a Jewish Museum, called Museo Comunità Ebraica, which offers tours to synagogues! On either side of the Casa di Riposo building, you can take a look at Holocaust memorials, too. A stop away on the Vaporetto from Guglie is Orto, where you'll find the Casa di Tintoretto, the former home of the Italian painter, if you're an enthusiast of art. Nearby is the Madonna dell'Orto, the church in which the painter is buried. Some of his artworks are also displayed inside, and there is a fee to enter.

If you have all day to spend in Venice, make sure to get on the Vaporetto to San Giorgio, another impressive island. From this island, you can look over The Grand Canal, as well as the Doges Palace. Entry to the church is free, and within you'll find paintings by Tintoretto. Head to the Campanile, and pay a small fee to see the view from the Bell Tower.

Make sure to also visit Murano and Burano, Murano being the island famous for its glass, and the latter being famous for its vibrant, colourful houses. Lido di Venezia is also a good shout for June, July and August - especially, if you prefer beach days!

There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars dotted around the island, so make sure to eat out, and experience the Italian culture at its full. Try to head to Italian-owned restaurants, which are not right on the canal front, for better-quality and authentic Italian cuisine.