An Essex Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 87)

Claire Ridley visits Venice to discover how the floating city is one of the most romantic places in the world W ith my ancestry being Italian, I jumped at the chance to visit Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, to review it as a city break for honeymooners, and I wasn’t disappointed. With its colourful ancient buildings and web of waterways, there’s something special around every turn. Located just a short distance from San Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge, the Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione hotel was to be my home away from home for two nights. This luxurious, 165-room property sits right on the Mercerie, the ancient alleyways that make up the main shopping area of this bustling city, and is accessed by water taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport. I fell in love at first sight with the pink exterior (my favourite colour!) not to mention the hotel’s rooms, including 12 Splendid Heritage Suites and its elegant Presidential Suite, which are the best offerings for honeymooners. These rooms measure 40 square metres (when space is at a premium in Venice) with guaranteed privacy and feature sumptuous velvet furnishings and bespoke bathrooms complete with Acqua di Parma amenities. Honeymooners can take advantage of the 24-hour room service so that they don’t have to leave the room if they don’t want to, plus other bespoke services such as private in-room check-in when booking a suite. WINING AND DINING On the ground floor of this charming hotel is the Le Maschere restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It features a retractable glass roof making it the ideal spot for al fresco dining and attracts locals and tourists alike. Serving traditional Italian dishes and seasonal Venetian cuisine, the fresh seafood and local vegetables are a must-try. For a more casual dining experience including afternoon tea, the Lounge Bar features large arched windows looking out on the canal and comfy sofas to watch the gondoliers go by. The cocktail menu is endless with the Italian Bellini and house signature Laguna blend not to be missed. The chic and stylish rooftop bar, known as the Altana, offers a relaxing vibe, with a clear view of the Venice bell towers, and panoramic vistas of this Instagrammer’s delight. It’s also suitably placed to watch the sun go down. ROMANTIC MUST-DOS ❤ With photo opportunities around every corner, newlyweds should take a stroll around the many bustling stores and boutiques that are clustered in the centre near Rialto market and Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square). I was really impressed with the architecture at the entrance to St Mark’s Basilica in this famous public square of Venice, and stood still for a moment in the middle of the crowds to take in all that the heart of this Italian hotspot has to offer. ❤ A guided Venice walking tour should be top of your to-do list in the city, capturing the sights of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, the small palazzo known for its multi-arch spiral staircase, and Ponte dei Sospiri (The Bridge of Sighs). A short ferry ride afterwards reveals the romance of San Giorgio Maggiore, one of the 118 small islands of Venice. ❤ Embarking on a romantic gondolier ride from the private water door right outside the hotel on the Rio dei Barattieri was one of my most memorable moments of the trip. It’s a calm and serene experience, and a great way to capture that all-important honeymoon selfie. Those wishing to try a one-hour rowing lesson for two to learn this ancient skill can do so by booking it via the hotel’s concierge. ❤ With this historic city being known for its delicious food, a long lunch at AMO, the new elegant Venetian restaurant designed by Philippe Starck located in luxury lifestyle department store T Fondaco dei Tedeschi by DFS shouldn’t be missed. Highlights from the menu include steamed, oven-baked and pan-fried pizza, gourmet Italian sandwiches (known as tramezzini) and Venetian tapas (called fried cichetto). Don’t forget to visit the rooftop terrace at this venue afterwards to admire the 360-degree view. ❤ Honeymooners should also reserve a table for dinner at Quadri, the 18 th -century café, bistro and fine dining restaurant in Piazza San Marco. Following a major restoration, the romantic atmosphere here is captured through the glittering chandeliers, the rich fabrics and the magnificent Venetian mirrors. The menu boasts fresh fish from the Rialto market, and the three tasting menus on offer are a great way to experience the various dishes on offer. SPLENDID VENICE – STARHOTELS COLLEZIONE BOOK IT Prices at Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione start from 170 euros in low season for a Superior Room based on two people sharing, starhotelscollezione.com/en/our-hotels/ splendid-venice-venice @splendidvenice  THE LAND OF LOVE 116