Apartment Viola

Apartment Viola is the penthouse in a Palazzo, one of four luxury residences in what was originally a magnificent sixteenth century Venetian family home. The apartment is ideally located on the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, betwixt and between the Rialto Bridge, and St Mark’s Square. The property has its own water taxi boat jetty, perfect for picking you up for a day’s sightseeing, and dropping you off after an evening out. The international Marco Polo airport is a thirty minute private water taxi journey away, or seventy five minutes by the public vaporetto.

The apartment is perfectly positioned within walking distance of most of the major sights of Venice, and one of the joys of a holiday here, is walking over many of the four hundred bridges, and some of one hundred and eighteen canals, as the architecture reveals the city’s four-hundred-year history. Take a trip down the Grand Canal to the impressive St Mark’s Square, and the eleventh century Basilica, where mass is still held today. Visit the Byzantine Doge’s Palace, climb the clocktower, and cross the Bridge of Sighs. On the other side of the square is the Correr Museum, highlighting the history of Venice in its royal rooms and library. Take time out to stroll around the square, window shop in the jewellery stores, before sitting down for tea in Florian’s, whilst the orchestra plays your favourite tunes. Cross the canal to the Napoleonic Accademia Gallery to view classical Venetian art, and the nearby seventeenth century Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, with its iconic cupola and twelve paintings by Titian. Make time to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, an homage to twentieth century modern art, housed in her original palazzo home.

Take an island tour to see the glassblowers at work on Murano, the colourful houses and lacemakers on Burano, and the seventh century cathedral on Torcello, with its Byzantine art. Cross the sea to the Lido, famous for its grand hotels, long sandy beaches, and for those who like to chance their luck, there’s a casino too. Venice is a food lovers paradise, sample the local dish of Baccala Mantecato, a salted cod dish, best served with a chilled white wine.

The apartment is near to the famous Rialto Bridge and its food markets, mongering fresh fruit and vegetables. A walk to St Mark’s Square will take you through streets selling the very best quality hand crafted leather goods, silk scarves, and cashmere sweaters, not to mention the designer dress shops with brand labels you’ll want to buy.

For the romantics, get into a gondola and cruise the canals, or simply take one, to cross the water from one side to the other. In the evening enjoy a stroll to Harry’s Bar for a Bellini, before a night at the opera at the Fenice Theatre, then dine in a local restaurant, serving traditional Venetian dishes overlooking the Grand Canal, under a Tiepolo blue sky. If you are lucky enough to be there during the Carnival, make sure you wear a mysterious mask, and join in the fun and frolics of this fabulous festival.

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