Beautiful Venice Italy

Sometimes, when you gaze out at Venice, you think, Is this real? It seems too beautiful and too different from any other city to be anything but a gorgeous dream.

You fear you'll awaken and find it all an illusion—except you never need to. This is beautiful Venice, and it's real.

Throughout my site, I try to take you through this city, discovering forgotten corners as we go and looking at the most famous sights in new ways.

When I originally started on this journey of exploration, many years ago, I was alone, apart from the help of my family. As the years have gone by, we have explored further and further. Through the Veneto and into many other regions of Italy.

Slowly, over time, we realized we were not alone, and many new friends have joined us, mostly via our Supporters Club, sharing tips and photos—many of them absolutely stunning.

These photos were shared with me by Oktay Kasman. Oktay is a retired architect who lives in Istanbul and has a passion for painting, photography, and Italy, of course. Oktay has been to Italy many times, and Venice is his favorite city in the world. It's mine too, Oktay.

Venice Italy

Looking towards the Rialto Hotel from the Rialto Bridge.

The Rialto Hotel, which is loved by many visitors to Venice, came really close to making my list of the best hotels in Venice. It was a tough choice, but here is the final list of the hotels in Venice I love most.

The Al Vagon restaurant overlooks a canal in Venice. Would you like a window table? By the way, this is one of the restaurants that came close to making it into my article, Where to Eat in Venice. If you read the article, you'll see why it couldn't quite make the final list.

Gondolas passing in the cool light of early morning, so typical of Venice. This photo was taken from the "fire escape" door of the Acqua Alta bookstore featured in my shopping in Venice guide.

A gondola passes under the Bridge of Sighs at dawn

What a way to explore the loveliest city on the planet! A gondola ride is definitely one of the best ways to pass the time in Venice and is certainly the most romantic. For the most romantic of all gondola options click here.

Burano Island

Burano is a little island, a short boat trip away from Venice itself. Filled with cottages painted in various shades of pinks, blues, and yellows, it is a colorful, bright, and friendly island that offers the perfect day trip from Venice. Be sure to check out the lace stores too. For the best ones and all the insider information and tips about visiting Burano, get my free guide to Burano here.

Burano

Burano

Burano

Verona

Verona is an amazing city, a city with everything you could possibly want: Roman arenas, elegant piazze, and there is always a great little trattoria around every corner. Of course, it is also the city of Romeo and Juliet, and the photo above shows Juliet's balcony. For more on this loveliest of cities and some great photos too, click here.

Lake Garda (the nearest of the major lakes to Venice)

You will find this well in one of the loveliest villages in all of the Veneto region. It is in the tiny little town of Sirmione. For more on this village, click here.

Lake Como

Tuscany

Ceramics in a shop in San Gimignano.

San Gimignano by Gerhard Bögner

I really recommend you visit San Gimignano (click for my guide filled with tips and essential info). I love this little town in Tuscany, Italy. Perched amidst the rolling hills, San Gimignano is imbued with a sense of timelessness. The vibrant piazzas, like Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, pulse with life and offer glimpses into the heart of Italian culture.

San Gimignano is not just a town frozen in history; it's a beautiful fusion of tradition and contemporary life. The artisanal workshops that line its streets carry forth the legacy of craftsmanship and the wonderful gelateria sells some of Italy's best gelato.

Visiting San Gimignano is like stepping into a painting, a journey into the heart of Tuscany, a place where the past and present intertwine in a symphony of history, culture, and art.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa—didn't need to even say that really. It is so famous everyone recognizes it.