My Principality

Basilica Di San Marco: The blingy gold ceilings inside the Basilica would make Jennifer Lopez blush. Beat the lines and the beating down sun by arriving early. We arrived at 9:15 am, sipped espressos in to-go cups, and enjoyed the morning breeze. It opens at 9:45 am. Loggia dei Cavalli: Four bronze horses stolen from Constantinople. The reproductions overlook the square. The originals are inside.

The Pescheria. Fish Market in Rialto.

The artsy neighborhood of Dorsoduro was my favorite. Here you can find the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. She is buried with all of her dogs in the courtyard.

Enoteca ai Artisti: It’s tiny so make reservations or arrive before it opens at noon. New menu daily, dependent on what the chef bought at the Rialto fish market that morning. We had the filet of sea bass and the grilled squid stuffed with prawn. Extensive wine selection. Best Meal in Venice. Head next door to play out your EYES WIDE SHUT fantasies. The Ca’Macana Venezia designed the masks for the film.

Osteria Ai 40 Ladroni. Make reservations We escaped all the tourists *such as ourselves, by wandering through Cannaregio. Dine in the romantic back garden patio. Neighborhood – Cannaregio – Fondamenta della Sensa. 3253 Venezia Tel. 041.715736

Burano is a little island that takes kind of forever to get to on the public boat. However, the adorable houses painted in bright colors are worth the trip. While there, make lunch reservations for Trattoria Al Gatto Nero.

Dinner at Hotel Cipriani: The hotel’s private wooden boat picked us up in San Marco and took us to the island of Giudecca.

[photo credit: ellie knaus]