“I will never forget experiencing Venice for the first time. It feels like you are transported to another time – the art, music, food and pure romance in the air is like no other place.” – Elizabeth Berkley
I woke up on the morning of my birthday to find a little trail of post-it notes leading to an ornately decorated box. I followed them down the hallway, reading each one as I went… “idyllic meandering canals”, “intimate romantic corners”, “stunning historical monuments”, “delicious gelatos”… and I opened the box to find a guidebook, a pair of plane tickets for the following weekend and a beautiful Venetian mask. My husband had outdone himself once again. We were going to Venice.
We arrived after a quick evening flight, and our first glimpse of the city was breathtaking: a radiantly lit world, with water glimmering in the dark and long luminous rivers criss-crossing the canals. Our private water-taxi took us right to the front door of Hotel Santa Chiara, which my husband had chosen for its perfect location, reviews, facilities and fascinating history. He’d been to Venice once before, but he’d had to share its magic with thousands of other visitors in the middle of the blazing summer. Coming after summer makes much more sense, as tourists are few and far between and the city is rightly reclaimed by Venetians.
We were immediately surrounded by stunning Venetian décor when we entered the hotel… precious wall fabrics, fitted carpets, parquet flooring, uncovered beams, Murano glass chandeliers and precious antiques. The hotel isn’t surrounded by any buildings, meaning all the rooms offer a panoramic view. Our Deluxe Room overlooked the stunning Rio Nuovo, and we had much more space than we were used to in city hotels. We had a satellite TV, a safe, Wi-Fi, a mini-bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Both tired from our travels, we went straight to bed; keen to get a good night’s sleep before our first proper day.
The following morning we enjoyed a plentiful and delicious breakfast: an array of fresh fruit, juices, yoghurts, pastries, meats and cheeses in a dining area overlooking the glorious Grand Canal. Feeling replenished, we grabbed the guidebook and headed out for a day of exploring. We decided to leave out of the opposite door to the one we’d entered – this time we stepped onto dry land instead of a water taxi! We wandered around and let the city reveal its unique essence and way of life to us, stopping for a tasty Italian lunch in an authentic café we found on a side street. We visited all the main sights, went on a gondola ride down the river, indulged in obligatory gelatos, and simply strolled down the quiet streets to discover innumerable hidden gems. Our evening was spent watching a traditional opera, which the hotel concierge team had kindly arranged for us so all we had to do was turn up and enjoy the show – a good excuse for me to wear my Venetian mask!
Our trip to Venice was a whirlwind adventure, and our hotel simply couldn’t have been better, not just the perfect base from which to explore the city, but also a haven of serenity and relaxation where we made to feel completely welcome. I’m already trying to think of a good excuse to come back next year, and I won’t think twice before booking Hotel Santa Chiara again.