Looking for a romantic holiday of a lifetime? A Venice vacation is an unforgettable experience – especially when spent with the love of your life. The ambience in Venice – from evening lights reflecting in the canals, quiet evenings (once the day visitors have left!)   Here are six suggestions for romantic things to do in Venice.

Romantic dinners: Have a candle-lit dinner at a canal-side restaurant featuring tasty local cuisine accompanied by a great Italian wine.  If your budget allows choose one of the first class restaurants at places such as the Venice Metropole hotel where you’ll be eating from menus prepared by world class, award winning chefs. Then take a moonlit stroll back to your hotel through the quiet cobble stone alleys of the city. Tip: On a tight budget? There are dozens of excellent eateries away from St Mark’s Square, where the price is half you’ll pay in the tourist centres.

Enchanting gondola rides: Your hotel can arrange for a gondola to collect you from their front door for a sundowner trip on the legendary canals of Venice. Else, there’s lots of gondala departure points along the Grand Canal where you can step aboard one. You’ll be serenaded by your gondolier while he guides your gondola past the ornate palaces and majestic buildings that line the canals. Don’t forget the wine!

Experience the spirit of a Venice church: Experiencing the sacred atmosphere of any of Venice’s many cathedrals and churches with someone special is probably a reason on its own to visit the magical city. Most of them are open to the public – choose a quiet time of the day, and sit down together for a few minutes as you take in and share the tranquility and beauty. For the truly romantic, find out about having your wedding in one of Venice’s churches – it can be done!

Wander around: Lock arm-in-arm and amble through Venice’s colourful maze of canal-side walks and narrow alleyways. Discover quaint art shops, bargain hunt in collector’s bookshops, and take a break to have a latte or cappucino at a sidewalk cafe. Then take a quick vaporetto ride to the northern part of Venice island and amble along the tree-lined lanes of Giardini, home to the famous Venice Bienalle.

Hidden secret: Take a thirty minute vaporetto ride to the small, mystical island of Torcello, one of Venice’s best-kept secrets. Take a picnic basket and a blanket along and relax for the afternoon on this quiet outpost, which is also medieval the birthplace of Venice. Ideal for getting away from the crowds of Rialto Bridge.

Where to stay? Spend the extra dollars and make sure you get a room with a view over the Grand Canal. There are three star hotels along the Canal that offers great value for money, or you can splash out and stay at a five star venue that features all the extras, such as its own airport transport.

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