Girlfriends' Guide to Venice

А Girlfriends' Guide to Venice

Ciao! Once, many years ago (when I was pregnant with my son) I read “A girlfriends’ guide to pregnancy”, a witty charismatic book written in a way one speaks to a very close friend, telling the things that you would not tell anyone else.. After I’ve spent a month in Venice last fall living in an apartment with a local resident and had sufficient time and aspiration to browse the curved unpredictable streets of this ancient city (as you rarely know whether you’ll face the dead end or the street will let you uncover some unseen treasures – those that are hidden from the eyes of a passerby, I’d like to share my discoveries with girlfriends who are going to visit Venice. I would like you also experience what makes it truly special and enjoy it as someone who lives here rather than arrives on a fleeting visit.

I have to admit that like the most of us I considered Venice a touristic destination that’s only good for a few days. I have been to the city many times: for a day with my first tour of Italy, with friends for the famous Venice carnival, with girlfriends, with an Italian boyfriend for St Valentine, and finally with my mom. I was thinking foolishly I knew it all about this city, I can find my way, I know what are the important landmarks. Oh, silly me! It’s only on the last visit when I took the pain of reading through the whole of the Lonely Planet guide trying to make our 3–day stay with mother rich and colorful, I really did understand what Venice is about. Or, rather, I just had a glimpse of what it could offer….

 Venezia..... It's lovely, charming and poetic.... It's elegant and noble, and it’s warm-hearted and welcoming. Whether you’re there for a day or a week, I hope that you enjoy it and get to love it the way I do.

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I divided this guide in several chapters for easiness of use: 

"Getting there" – about Venice transportation, how to get from the airport and around;

"Where to stay" - this chapter is about Venice geography;

"Survival basics" – useful tips about Venice (and Italian) culture, as well as how to survive on long touristic day;

I hope you enjoy your reading and find in this guide something useful that would make your trip really different and unforgettable!