World Traveller November 2019

THE LONG WEEKEND
Venice welcomes you with an enchanting serenade, as
gondoliers glide their way through the intricate web of
the city's many waterways, carrying loved-up couples
from all over the world. The beating heart of the city
is the Grand Canal, a reflection of architectural glories
with exquisite palazzos and gothic museums lining its
banks. On land, narrow backstreets twist past and over
bridges to unveil a treasure trove of art and culture.
The city is divided into six districts (the sestieri), each
with its own charm and character. One way or another,
you're bound to wind up at San Marco. At the core
of the city, it is where iconic sights, such as St. Mark’s
Basilica and the Doge’s Palace can be found. Across the
Rialto Bridge is San Polo with its lively bar scene, while
the artisans' neighbourhood of Dorsoduro is brimming
with prestigious art galleries. The largest of the sestieri,
Castello is where you can watch elderly Venetian women
gossip between windows and children playing ball in
the piazzas. Lose yourself in the winding alleyways and
discover why visitors flock to this fairytale-like city.
BLISSFUL SLUMBER
Doze off to the lullabies
of the city
Literary
dream
These hidden gems will
result in a serious case of
bibliophilia
The artsy one: Officially
declared a National
Monument on account of
its beauty, Ca Sagredo
Hotel is an art-lovers
dream-stay. Make your
way up the magnificent
18th century Scalone dei
Giganti staircase that’s
entirely surrounded by
frescoes, and wander
through hallways adorned
with original masterpieces
by Venetian painters
including Niccolò Bambini
and Giambattista Tiepolo.
The grand one: It's easy
to understand why the
Clooney’s chose to spend
their wedding night at this
sumptuous 16th century
palazzo. Aman Venice
welcomes you with its own
brand of luxury – think
trompe-l’oeil grandiose
staircase, Murano glass
chandeliers, Rubelli silk
wall coverings and Rococo
works of art, to name a few.
The cosy one: Tucked away
in the charming Dorsoduro
district, Ca’ Maria Adele
draws style-conscious
travellers with its unique
take on Venetian décor.
The boutique hotel boasts
five concept rooms, each
with its own design and
story. Book the Sala Noire
and relish in its delicious
decadence while the Sala
del Doge will make you feel
like a duke with its swathes
of scarlet boldness.
The bella vista one: For
gorgeous city views, the
terrace at Al Ponte Antico
is a fantastic place to have
a drink while gazing at the
Grand Canal and the Rialto.
Its central location also
means that some of the
best sights in Venice are
within walking distance.
THE BOOKSTORE:
LIBRERIA ACQUA
ALTA Here, books fill
old gondolas, canoes,
bathtubs and barrels.
Encyclopaedias line the
walls to make an
intriguing staircase and
fluffy cats inhabit every
corner as if they rule the
place. This chaotic yet
charming book shop is
the city’s best-kept secret
and a dream come true
for bargain hunters due to
its second-hand literary
treasures.
THE LIBRARY: BIBLIOTECA
NAZIONALE MARCIANA
Considered one of the
oldest and most stunning
libraries in Italy, this
architectural beauty
is home to the largest
classical texts collections
in the world, including
manuscripts, incunabula,
and works printed between
1500 and 1600.
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