Venice Travel Guide

The capital of the Veneto Region, Venice, is situated in the northeast of Italy at the northwestern end of the Adriatic Sea. The city is built on a group of 118 tiny islands on the Venetian Lagoon. These are broken up by historic canals and approximately 400 bridges bring them together. In the late eighties, Venice and its lagoon were named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It’s the perfect place for those looking to escape a busy city landscape, as Venice has no roads. Historically, Venice’s economy was built on maritime commerce, specifically in fish, sea salt, and shipbuilding. These days, its primary industry is tourism. While development on the lagoon dates back to the 5th century AD, after the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, Venice feels current and alive. There is a pulsing energy to the narrow streets and the picturesque canals.

While the official language spoken in Venice is Italian, the same as the rest of Italy, millions of locals in the Veneto Region speak Venetian. This fascinating language descends from Latin and is regarded as “the language of the sea”

One big reason to holiday in Venice is because one day, it will all be gone. Yes, Venice is rapidly sinking. Over the past century, Venice has sunk a little over 9 inches. This might not seem like much, but it is getting worse. But can it be stopped? While experts found that pumping groundwater from beneath the city was causing it to sink more rapidly, and put a stop to it, the city continues to sink because of tectonic movements beneath the surface. Essentially, the tectonic plate is sub-ducting beneath another plate and causing it to lose elevation.

So, if this morbid and strangely specific fact isn’t enough to have you rushing to the canal city - because time is of the essence - we don’t know what is! To get a firsthand glimpse at just how quickly the city is slipping into the watery depths, we would recommend Libreria Acqua Alta. This sinking bookshop has become somewhat Instagram-famous over the years, with crowds flocking to see its old titles, quirky flair, and frequent flooding. If you are interested in visiting, make sure you set aside enough time to wait in the queue. It's worth it!

If you are hoping to combine two major Italian cities of culture, you can easily move between Florence and Venice - it’s just over a two-hour rail journey. But if you are reaching Venice from further away, flying is likely to be the cheapest, most efficient way.

Venice Marco Polo Airport is the city's official international airport, situated on the mainland near the village of Tessera. Treviso Airport is the second largest airport in Venice and is frequently serviced by discount airlines. After flying in, you can then reach Venice by city bus, shuttle, water bus, or taxi, which takes around a half-hour.

If you are hoping to tick Venice off the bucket list quite soon, and do not have time to find a travel buddy, or simply want to set off on your own, you might have a few questions, like: is it safe to travel to Venice? And is Venice safe to travel alone? And the answer is yes, and yes! Venice is a fantastic destination for solo travel, particularly for solo female travellers. As tourism is the main industry in the city, keeping the city safe for travellers is a priority.

Venice is certainly one of the best places in Italy to find yourself. While it has a reputation for romance, drawing honeymooners and old couples alike, it's a location where you won’t feel alone. Dive deep into the craftsmanship of mask-makers and glass-blowers, immerse yourself in Renaissance art, and soak up the atmosphere with a sunset aperitivo.

Venice is one of the most popular destinations for travellers over 60. And it makes perfect sense. While the city is sinking, it is firmly rooted in history, artistry, and architecture. Unlike some other popular European holiday destinations, Venice is no party capital. There is an air of sophistication and ancient charm to the place. As you wander along the canals, you can’t help but wonder what it might have been like to live as a sea merchant many centuries ago.

An escorted tour to Venice is a fantastic way for over 60s to get acquainted with the scenery, thanks to coach transfers, walking tours led by an expert guide, and plenty of time to spot carnival-goers in their elaborate costumes during Venice Carnival.