Take a step back through time in Venice, one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centres bursting with endless adventures and stories of the past. The beauty of Venice also lies in the fact that its buildings have remained mostly unchanged and that you can spend an entire day wandering Venice’s streets, piazzas, canals and never be bored.

If you are planning a trip to Italy sometime soon, you really have to spend cater a few days in your itinerary to explore the sinking city of Venice. It will definitely be one fulfilling trip that you’d remember for life.

Still not convinced that Venice is worth your time or curious to find out what is awaiting your discovery? Here are 12 Reasons Why A Trip To Venice Will Be The Best Decision Ever.

#1 BEFORE THE CITY SINKS

At the forefront of all the reasons why you need to plan a visit to Venice now is that the city of Venice is gradually sinking at an unprecedented rate which means that there will be a day where Venice will no longer exist.

Today, the effects of sinking have increased the threat of flooding in Venice which actually already occurs about four times a year due to high tides. And just within the last century, the city has sunk by about 9 inches. Well, what are you waiting for?

#2 BURANO

Perhaps best known for its vibrant coloured houses lined up along the canal, Burano is an island in the Northern Venetian Lagoon that would be a good a day trip from the main city of Venice. Burano is also renown for lacemaking and “lume glass working” — a technique created on the nearby island, Murano.

Take a day to check out Galuppi Square — the centre of the island which is filled with plenty of shops displaying their laceworks — and make sure that you don’t miss out on a photo opportunity with the most famous coloured house on Burano, “la Casa di Bepi Suà”.

#3 GET LOST IN VENICE 

One of the most magical things that you can get up to in Venice is spending a day or two just being lost in the city, wandering from street to street and over bridge after bridge.

Although this may seem daunting to some, channel your focus instead on the infinite possibilities and discoveries that you will encounter. Should you find yourself lost, don’t be afraid to ask a friendly local who will point you the right way.

#4 GOOD OL’ ITALIAN FOOD

No matter how good an Italian restaurant is, nothing can beat what you can find in Italy — the home of pizza and pasta. Considering that Venice is a city on the water, it is common for Venetian restaurants to incorporate plenty of fresh seafood into its dishes; a double hurray for us!

Some suggestions on where to eat in Venice include Dal Moro — a humble eatery situated along a small backstreet which serves delicious pasta in a little white carton — and Al Giubagio — a warm and intimate restaurant which offers the best of Venetian cuisine perfected by a lovely view of the sunset over the waters.

#5 FAMOUS BRIDGES

For the uninitiated, Venice is also regarded as the “City of Canals” and of course, the “City of Bridges”. And there is really no question about this considering that there are around 400 bridges in total that are constructed over Venice’s waterways. 

That being said, there are some noteworthy bridges which carry such rich histories and would justify a trip to Venice anytime. This includes the Bridge of Sighs — a footbridge connecting the Doge’s Palace by which the prisoners would walk towards prison or the executioner — and the Rialto Bridge — arguably the most photogenic bridge in Venice.

Photo Credit: Italy Magazine

#6 MURANO GLASS

A glass made on the Venetian island of Murano, Murano glass is crafted from techniques which are centuries-old and it is celebrated worldwide for its appearance, elegance and beauty. Till today, the glassmakers of Murano are considered the masters of glassmaking and their techniques in glassblowing are actually passed down within the family.

To fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Murano’s glass industry, we would highly recommend you take a day trip to Murano to explore the glass factories, the Museo del Vetro — a glass museum in a 16th-century palace — and seize the opportunity to bring back some authentic Murano glass home with you.

#7 RIDE ON A GONDOLA THROUGH THE CANALS

Probably the most iconic symbol of this romantic city, a ride on the gondola through Venice’s canals would make a romantic activity with your partner. There will also be plenty of photo opportunities so be sure to get out your camera and start snapping!

Albeit a delightful experience, do be aware of the fares in booking a gondola ride as such fares are actually standard and set officially. It would be best to arrange your gondola ride ahead of time so that you do not end up forking out an extravagant sum for the short ride.

#8 SPRITZ, VENICE’S QUINTESSENTIAL COCKTAIL

This one is for all of you alcohol lovers. Typically served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy, Sprtiz is a wine-based cocktail which originated in Venice. This red-coloured cocktail is prepared with prosecco wine, a dash of bitter liqueur before being topped off with sparkling mineral water.

And the beauty of Spritz is that there is no single composition for the drink as the recipe for the drink varies from each city or small town. Have the time of your life drinking through Venice whilst appreciating the charming city surrounding you.

#9 ST. MARK’S SQUARE 

Often known in English as St. Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco is one work of art that would stun you with its grandeur and magnificence. Previously serving as the centre of civic and religious life, Piazza San Marco is deemed one of the finest squares in the world and one of the main attractions in Venice.

There are also plenty of historical attractions situated around Piazza San Marco for example, the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and Piazzetta.

#10 THE ARCHITECTURE

Most of the buildings in Venice feature a Venetian Gothic architectural style which is a combination of Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish influences. This is the reason why many buildings in Venice have ornate decorations and pointed arches. Prime examples of this style of architecture would be the Doge’s Palace and Ca’ d’Oro. 

In addition, what we love about Venice is that most of its historical buildings have retained its original appearance until today. This means that when you are visiting Venice, it would be as if you are strolling through history and it will definitely prove to be an unforgettable experience.

#11 THE GRAND CANAL

The main waterway of Venice, the Grand Canal follows a natural channel which passes by the San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church and actually divides the city of Venice into two parts.

With an average depth of 17 feet and covering a distance of slightly more than 3 kilometres, you would find plenty of gondolas and boats travelling along the Grand Canal as this is the main bulk of Venetian transportation. This is one picturesque scene that you must not miss.

#12 THE RIALTO MARKETS

If you are an avid foodie like us, you would understand the excitement we feel whenever we visit a market. The Rialto area was actually the first part of Venice to be developed and as it grew into a centre of commerce, the Rialto Market became a place where trading of imported goods and food would occur. 

Nonetheless, one thing has remained constant over the past seven centuries and that is the fact that the Rialto Market has continued to whet appetites with the countless seasonal produce, gourmet food options and fresh fish that are brought over from all parts of Italy. Let the feast begin! 

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/why-you-should-visit-venice/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/06/budget-travel-united-kingdom/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/06/budget-travel-united-kingdom/#comments Fri, 16 Jun 2017 07:00:52 +0000 Claire Teng http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=125601 Continue reading →]]>

We all love to travel. Not only does travelling bring out the best in us, we get the opportunity to forge meaningful experiences that will last a lifetime.

For those of us who are tied down with work and our studies in Singapore, we would only be able to spend time travelling whenever we are on leave, or during our study breaks.

But for students in the United Kingdom, you should count yourself lucky. Not only is the U.K. so filled with endless sights to explore, you can always spend your weekends travelling to nearby cities or spend your breaks travelling to farther destinations at a more affordable price than those who are travelling from Singapore.

If you are a student studying in the U.K. and you are looking forward to making the most of your weekends and breaks, here are 5 Ways For Students To Travel Affordably In The U.K.

One of the best things that a student is entitled to in the U.K. are the great student memberships with travel companies which give you access to so many fantastic discounts on train tickets, or bus tickets!

If you are between 16 to 25 years old or in full-time study if you are above 25 years old, get your hands on the 16-25 railcard! With this card, you will be entitled to 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, including Standard Advance and First Class Advance fares. There is also no limit to the number of times you can use this card. What a steal!

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The 16-25 railcard can be purchased for £30 for 1 year and £70 for 3 years—both can be purchased online for or at a train station or via the phone for the 1-year membership.

Photo Credit: I Am In The UK

Train tickets are not always the cheapest option (even with discounts applied with the 16-25 railcard). If you are feeling the pinch and are comfortable with slightly longer travel routes, the Young Persons Coachcard can be purchased for £10 for one year, or £25 for three years. This coach card would entitle you to 1/3 off all standard fares and 10% off travel to events and festivals!

#2 ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

We all know how much high-end hotels and accommodation can cost, so as a student, it would make more sense to seek cheaper alternatives in light of your wallets.

Book your accommodation with Airbnb, but not the option of booking the entire apartment. Instead, opt to stay in a shared residence with your host, which will definitely be considerably cheaper.

This is also a great way for you to interact and make friends with your host, who would be more than delighted to share more about sightseeing attractions in the place you are visiting.

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Photo Credit: Anglo Italian Follow Us

For those who are slightly more adventurous, have you tried couch surfing? Couch surfing is a global platform where you can stay with locals and meet travellers from all over the world, and accommodation fees are also incredibly affordable.

#3 BUDGET FLIGHTS

Who says you have to fly fancy all the time? For instance, just ask yourself: is there really a need to fly an international flight to a particular location, when there are just as good, and affordable domestic flights available?

If you are travelling within the U.K., opt for domestic carriers such as Ryan Air or EasyJet and you will be able to reach your dream destination in no time at all and at a more affordable price.

As with always, make sure that you book your flight early to avoid disappoint with expensive and jacked up prices. Also, if you are travelling during your break, try to avoid flights on Fridays or over the weekends as that is the period where most locals will be travelling to and from home for the weekend.

#4 FREE TOURIST SITES

There are plenty of historical and scenic attractions that you can enjoy for free. If you are trying not to spend so much money on your travels, do your research in advance to determine which attractions, for example, museums, have free admission.

Most of the time, nature is free. Instead of focusing on only visiting city attractions and what not, take some time to experience the countryside or the splendid geographical attractions that can be accessed via public transport, or simply, by walking.

Read: 9 best museums in London to check out.

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#5 FOOD OPTIONS

There is plenty of good food wherever you visit, such as local pubs or even small eateries.

If you are not such a big fan of spending your money on food, consider visiting local supermarkets such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury or Tesco to purchase produce and cook in your Airbnb host’s home or in your self-catered accommodation. They also offer sandwiches and meal deals, which will leave both you and your wallet content. We also love Pret A Manger’s sandwiches, soups and sweet treats.

What is not to love; you will be saving more money for your future travels!

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL TIPS

One additional tip that we can give you for travelling in the U.K. is to travel at night if you are comfortable with night travel.

Think about it, you would be saving on a night’s accommodation fee, and tickets are also priced more cheaply for early morning or night travel.

If you are looking for ideas on where to travel to in the U.K., check out 10 Best Day Trips From London For Under £35 for some recommendations!

Europe is an extremely popular continent to travel to, and whenever we think of taking a big holiday, Europe is the top-of-mind destination.

Whether you are looking to plan a shopping trip at Paris and London or an Italian escapade, or anywhere else in that fascinating continent that has so much history, cultures and lifestyles to offer, planning a big trip may not be easy. There may be hidden costs that you never knew of, or miscalculations of supposed savings.

For first-timers to Europe, this guide will help you make more efficient and effective planning. If you have been traveling to Europe, can you resonate with these points and could you have saved more if you abided by these cost-saving tips for a holiday to Europe?

#1 LOOK OUT FOR AIR TICKET SALES FROM TIME TO TIME

We often score deals from our constant stalking. Follow your favourite airlines on their social media platforms, because that is where they will shout-out about their sales. They are more often than not early bird specials, and they can be as wonderful as a whopping 50% discount.

Let us paint you an example: a regular return ticket to London Heathrow Airport (out of Singapore) on Singapore Airlines will easily cost mid-S$2000. A promotional return flight can be as attractive as S$1,300 after taxes and fuel surcharges.

Other times can be dump rates, where last minute deals are offered simply because they need to fill up a flight. Impromptu holidays are always fun, yes? Book your sale tickets today, and fly tomorrow.

There is no fixed pattern per se. They all depend on several variables – season, demand, carrier, length of stay…

#2 CHECK YOUR OPTIONS FOR RETURN FLIGHTS – YOU NEED NOT FLY BACK FROM THE SAME CITY YOU FLEW IN TO

Yes, it is safe to say that it is mostly cheaper to fly in and out of the same city. Open-city tickets are typically more expenisve, but that does not mean you are spending more. In fact, the price difference may bring about more cost savings.

Say you are starting your holiday at Paris, and you fly in to Charles de Gulle (CDG) airport. Your last stop is Rome, which probably means you have to do an inter-city transfer back to Paris to fly out from CDG airport. That amount you are going to pay for your domestic flight ticket or train ticket may well cost more than the price difference we spoke about. The opportunity cost would of course be the time wasted on the inter-city transfer, when that time could have been better invested in more sight-seeing.

Check both prices – the return flights from the same city and the open-city option – then check your inter-city transfer options. Work your sums before you secure all your tickets.

#3 DON’T BE TOO OVER-AMBITIOUS AND CRAMP TOO MANY DESTINATIONS IN YOUR ITINERARY

Now, this is arguably the most important lesson we’ve learned from multiple trips to Europe. On our first, we were overly eager and psyched about the sheer idea of taking a big holiday. And naturally, it is human’s nature that when you invest this much money on air tickets and large amount of time on a holiday, you’d want to clock more destinations and go to as many cities as you can.

Sure, that is not wrong. But logistically and realistically, it won’t work out. Being over-ambitious when planning your itinerary will bring about fatigue, frustrations, and rat races. The frequent mistake we hear of (as with our own on our first Europe trip) is allocating only 3D2N per city. And why is this wrong? Let us illustrate.

You arrive at your first destination, you take some time to administrate your check-ins and to freshen up with a hot shower, you settle down with a first proper meal. By the time you are set to sight-see, your day might well be over. That leaves you with the next and only full day to tick off whatever you want to do in that city. Because the third day is your last and you are supposed to move on to your next destination, which only means you’d have to pack up and process your check-out, then make your way to the airport/ train station. Even if your flight/ train is at night, your tour is limited because there is only so many things you can do when lugging your suitcases.

‘Being over-ambitious when planning your itinerary will bring about fatigue, frustrations, and rat races.’

And the pattern goes on for your subsequent destinations. So you see, if you do a 3D2N per city, or even a 4D3N, your time per pit stop is very limited and please do not forget the possibility of unforeseen circumstances, such as unexpected long queues, unannounced one-day closure of a place/ restaurant for whatever reasons, rain and harsh weather conditions etc.

From our experience, it is ideal to map out your priorities when you plan your itinerary. Allocate more days for cities that you have a lot to clock, and have a list of must-sees and can-do-withouts so that you’d know where to head to first. Leave some breathing space for yourself; chasing flights are not fun, so is walking a mile to an attraction and having only ten minutes for photos before rushing off to your next point.

#4. THERE ARE MORE ACCOMMODATION DEALS THAT AWAIT YOU BEYOND PAGE ONE OF YOUR SEARCH

Of course, the top few searches are always your best bets. But for all you know, you may find steals if you would just scroll past the first page of your search results. Speaking from real experience, we promise. The ones that we end up staying at are often the ones that we found from much scrolling and filtering.

Also letting you in is the fact that the web will display results they want you to see and act on. Of course, that may mean the site is commissioned to displaying those “deals” as the top few. Don’t be fooled by those instigating messages like “Only for 1 day” and “1 room left”. You don’t know how infuriating it was for us when we fell for those, only to go back to the site a week later and realize that the supposed last room we paid for is still available – sometimes even cheaper!

#5 BOOK YOUR STAYS WITH AIRBNB

In case you don’t already know, we are huge fans and believers of Airbnb – especially when we take trips to Europe. There will always be apartments that fit our budgets, no matter big or small.

And they make better accommodations because European hotels tend to be small and cramped and leaves you with no space to walk after you open up your suitcase, but Airbnb apartments usually offer more space. And that’s more bang for your buck!

Stay where the locals stay, breathe in the neighbourhood and learn from the locals on where they wine and dine; Airbnb stays are always more atmospheric and charming. Sign up for your Airbnb account via our link and enjoy S$34 off your first booking.

#6 DO NOT STINGE ON YOUR ACCOMMODATION AND COMPROMISE ON THE LOCATION

We are done with compromising on locations just to save a few more euros at a farther hotel/ apartment. Nope, not gonna do that anymore.

Stinge on your accommodation and you get a lousy location that will have you walk for what seemed like eternity before you reach the nearest bus stop. Or it may also mean you have to change a hundred buses plus walk for a century before you get to the main shopping street/ attraction.

‘Airbnb will always be apartments that fit our budgets, no matter big or small. And they make better accommodations because European hotels tend to be small and cramped.’

Waste of time, waste of money on multiple trips and long taxi rides, and waste of energy. Pay a bit more to stay next to the train station, or of walking distance to the areas that you will be going to a lot. You will be thankful to have parted with that extra amount of money.

#7 THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE A NEED TO BUY UNLIMITED TRANSPORT PASSES

Many cities offer passes for unlimited bus and train rides. Those can be pretty value-for-money, especially if you know you are going to travel within the city quite a bit to get to your many points. But you may not need it too, if where you are putting up at is strategically located within the main areas.

We can’t say for sure when you would or would not need one, so don’t rush into buying one. Study your itinerary, do simple calculations on the number of trips you would need to take on the bus/ train, then decide if you need one.

#8 MUSEUM PASSES AND FAST PASSES, TOO

Some cities offer passes of such that grant you unlimited museum visits and/ or fast passes. They may not come cheap, so be sure to decide on the attractions you intend to visit before you make a commitment to buy these passes.

But more often than not, they bring about cost savings – both literal and opportunity costs. For example, a Roma Pass costs approximately €30. It includes two museum entrances and fast passes. What do you know? We skipped the crazy snaking queue of 2 hours to enter the Colosseum!

#9 INTER-CITY TRAIN TICKETS MAY BE ON SALE

If you are headed to various cities by train, check out the website regularly prior to your trip. Don’t book the first one you see, because for all you know, there will be a half-priced ticket for the same fleet when you check back again three days later.

Same as air ticket sales, there is no fixed pattern. But all you need to do is to spend a minute every day to try your luck on the booking sites, and the moment you see a significant “dip” or an unheard of price, then you know that is the ticket for you.

Well, spontaneity may also bring about cost savings. And risks. We tried buying tickets for the same day travel at the train station itself, and some had us paying a premium, while some saw savings of almost 50%.

#10 PREP YOURSELF WITH CONNECTIVITY BY SECURING TRAVEL WIFI DONGLES OR PREPAID DATA CARDS

Another important point to note is the availability of travel wifi dongles and/ or prepaid data cards at wherever you are going to. Some cities offer really good deals with immediate activation, while places like Paris would require a painful 3-day activation – which means you might end up paying for nothing because by the time your card is activated, it is time to kiss the City of Love goodbye.

You know what? Place your trust in Changi Recommends. Their travel wifi is a life-saver and it is completely hassle-free. Just make your booking prior to your departure, pick it up at the terminal you are flying off from, and activation is immediate upon landing.

#11 BRING MORE CASH TO SHOP

Simply because credit cards’ exchange rate are usually not favourable and you will end up paying more for that Chanel 2.55. No biggie for small items, but if you are already planning for your luxury shopping, then have the cash ready. Sounds oxymoronic, but shop with cash to save more!

#12 DO YOU REALLY NEED A CAR?

Lastly, if you fancy driving overseas, think again – do you really need a car? Would it incur more costs instead? Parking in Europe is not cheap, and that is to say the least. Some historic places and protected areas forbid parking altogether, so you might end up spending another sum on taxi or public transport to get to the attraction.

Do your research and have a better understanding of the parking costs and availability before you decide on whether to rent a car or not.

A trip to Europe is always an exciting one to look forward to. From jaw-dropping landscapes to majestic structures, each holiday there feels like a unique adventure. So make your trip a fruitful one with these 10 things to note before travelling to Europe.

A trip to Europe is always an exciting one to look forward to. From jaw-dropping landscapes to majestic structures (seriously, I can never get how detailed some of the buildings are, especially when they were built without the technology we’ve got today), each holiday there feels like a unique adventure. So make your trip a fruitful one with these 10 things to note before travelling to Europe.

#1 DO YOUR RESEARCH

Watch clips of each country you’re visiting to get a feel of what it’s going to be like. Note which way the traffic in each city goes, as different countries abide by driving on different sides of the road (obviously).

And, this is one thing you may learn through experience, but here’s this: each city has its own rules when it comes to crossing the road. Germans may wait patiently for the green man to flash, but in Italy, be careful, even when there’s a traffic light. Its drivers go pretty fast, so make sure they come to a complete stop before making your way across the road.

#2 LOOK FOR CHEAP ACCOMMODATION

Hotels in Europe don’t come cheap, especially if you’re hoping to get a good night’s rest. We recommend using apps like Airbnb, where you get to rent rooms or apartments from locals. Other options include couchsurfing or hostels, but it really depends on how adventurous you are.

Read: Here are the top 10 reasons why we love Airbnb.

#3 DOWNLOAD THE NECESSARY MAPS BEFORE YOU GO

It always helps to know where you’re headed to, especially if it’s your first time in a new city. And, instead of calling attention to the fact that you’re a tourist with your printed maps and guidebooks, let your smart phone do the job instead.

You can download the map of the area you’re looking for via Google Maps. Just type in ok maps in the search bar, and wait for it to load. Evernote, a popular notetaking app is also useful when it comes to clipping receipts and other paperwork such as your documents.

#4 SKIP THE GUIDEBOOKS

They may be useful, but why spend a couple of dollars on it when you can download information for free online? There are plenty of travel apps online which has guides for major cities such as London, Rome and Copenhagen and Paris can be useful when it comes to getting information on the site that you’re going to be visiting.

Also, Google Translate is your best friend, if you don’t speak the language of the city. You may not be an expert in the field, but all you really want, is to get your message across. Right?

#5 TRAVEL DURING OFF-PEAK SEASON

It really depends. Summer’s usually the high season for travellers in Europe. That’s also when most of the stores and tourist attractions are open. But if you’re a winter person, you’ll face less crowds and shorter queues… and lesser stores will be open.

For example, if you’re headed to Cinque Terre or the island of Capri (both in Italy) in winter, you’ll find an empty town, as most of the stores are closed. But if you’re there for the sights and photographs, you’ve got more time to admire the scenery!

#6 STRETCH YOUR DOLLAR

Focus on your priorities and determine what you’re going to spend on. Are you going to indulge in gourmet food in Europe, or would you rather save it on covering as many sites as possible? Is having comfortable accommodation important to you, or would you rather spend it on shopping? These are questions you should ask yourself, so you can set aside some money for each aspect of your trip.

#7 HEAD TO THE LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE

It varies from each city, but you may find useful tips, as well as discounts, free passes to attractions or public transportation and fun events you may want to suss out.

#8 DO AS THE LOCALS DO

The locals know best. Don’t be afraid to ask them for their recommendations. You’ll never know where they may lead you to. But of course, keep your eyes peeled. If you feel uneasy about a situation, please get away from it as fast as you can.

#9 PACKING TIPS

Make a list of essentials you must have. They include: international adapters, chargers, comfortable footwear, a formal outfit (in case you’d like to visit a fancy restaurant or something), toiletries, and the list goes on. But our point here is, pack light.

Read: Here are the top 10 essential travel items and accessories that will make your life that much easier, as well as save time and money.

Chances are, you’re going to be there for two weeks or more, and you need to save space for shopping! Bring clothes you can mix and match easily such as separates that are easy to work with. Think of the outfits you’re likely to wear each day, and plan from there.

#10 KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE

It’s so obvious, but we can’t stress this enough, especially in larger cities like Barcelona, Rome, Paris and Athens, where pickpockets are prevalent. Look out for them (don’t stereotype – the person who looks least like it may clean out your pockets if you’re not careful), try not to look lost, and don’t flash your valuables about.

Read: How to avoid tourism scams – be smart and not fall for these old tricks. 

Don’t keep all your valuables in one place, and invest in a money belt or a hidden pouch for your cash and travel documents. It may look (and feel) unglamorous, but it’s worth it. Also, don’t forget to make photocopies of your passport, papers and itineraries, as well as email them to yourself in the event it gets lost or stolen.

About the writer:
Amanda Tan has written pieces for several publications, which include stories on food, lifestyle and beauty. She believes life is too short for regrets, and hopes to live in London (just for the experience). She is also a self-professed cake addict, and can never resist a slice, at any time of the day. If you’d like to share life hacks, travel tips and general advice, you can drop her a note at scented19@gmail.com.