Travel Journal: Venice

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Credit: Kalay_ Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice

BY KALAY CHETTY

Venice is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its 150 canals, 400 bridges and grand palaces and piazzas. In 2018 I visited Venice, it’s a magical place and I hope to visit sometime soon.

The main Square in Venice, Piazza San Marco is a place you’ll certainly want to photograph. The downside is that it’s almost always packed with tourists. This makes it difficult to get a clean photo. Your best chance to photograph the square without the crowds is to arrive very early in the morning. That means sunrise, or just after sunrise.

I would stay once more at the enchanting Baglioni Hotel Luna which is situated close to the Piazza San Marco. The hotel is steeped in history in lush Venetian style fit for a Queen. I'd sip my first Bellini at Harry’s Bar and then wander aimlessly through the alleys with its cobbled streets, stopping along the way at the coffee and wine bars before enjoying a fresh seasonal seafood dinner at Osteria Alle Testiere. If you are a foodie like me you would know to make a reservation weeks in advance.

Credit: Kalay_Dinner at Osteria Alle Testiere

I enjoyed my last few days in Venice at the The Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace. The Palace was restored and reopened a few months before my stay. The newly restructured Palace is reminicent of 1800 Venetian Style, exalted by its Murano Glass Chandeliers, the original floors and furnishing. The Palace Garden, is beautiful and you will certainly be able to feel the sense of charm and prestige of the real Venetian Garden. The breakfast is amazing with a variety of fresh and local products and the Service is exceptional.

The Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace is well situated - close to the Galeria dell'Academia a treasure trove of Ventian Art and Teatro La Fenices one of "the most famous and renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre" and in the history of opera as a whole.

Credit Kalay_ Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Credit Kalay_ Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace

Besides tasting local cuisine, music concerts and theatre is a must when I travel - it's my gateway to understanding other cultures. The Concerto by the chamber music group Interpreti Veneziani at San Vidal Church definately tops my list of the most memorable concerto experiences - this is the only way to listen to Vivaldi.

Credit: Kalay _ Amazing Concerto by Interpreti Veneziani at San Vidal Church, Venice

Credit: Kalay _ Amazing Concerto by Interpreti Veneziani at San Vidal Church, Venice

The pretty little 10th century church has been transformed into a concert hall for Interpreti Veneziani. The group kicked off in 1987, and their skilled performers became legends reinterpreting the Baroque, the Classical and the Modern. They’ve performed in theatres around the world, but this is their true home. Here they also perform Bach, and Mozart.

Most tourists prefer viewing the canals on the gondola but I opted for a bit of excitement and glamour - I would certainly take a ride once more through the canals on a mahogany Riva limousine. Hopefully, I will get to spend a week in Venice in 2021.

Credit: Kalay_View of Venice Canals from the Riva Limousine

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