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Top 4 Reasons to Visit Venice, the City of Love

Top 4 Reasons to Visit Venice, the City of Love

Venice, Italy is one of the top destinations in the world that couples want to visit as it is considered the most romantic city on earth. This, however, does not mean that it appeals only to people who are in love. Before visiting the place, be sure to visit Venice Travel Guide and Offline City Map Support Below are four reasons why you should visit Venice even if you are single.

1. The Restaurants

Venice is quite popular with tourists and so most of the restaurants near the known tourist spots have started catering more to foreigners. Cuisine from various countries can be found in these establishments, giving you a chance to taste various foreign dishes. If you prefer tasting local cuisine, just go to parts of the city with few tourists. Restaurants in these areas are frequented mostly by locals so their foods remain unchanged by the booming tourism.

Venice Restaurantes by the canal
Venice Restaurantes by the canal

2. The Markets

The markets are a great way to explore the rich culture and traditions not only of Venice but the whole of Italy. Goods from all over the country can be found here. The vendors and friendly and cheerful and will happily tell you about the history of any item you ask about. The shops and stalls are vibrant and colorful and will certainly make your shopping a very pleasant experience.

3. The Alleys

Venice has so many attractions just thinking where to look can be quite overwhelming. The best way to truly appreciate the beauty of the city is to simply get lost. Just keep walking around wherever your feet take you all the while paying a close look at each alley, bridge, and canal. This method of exploration is also cheap as you don’t need to buy tickets or get a taxi. When you finally decide to go back to your hotel just ask the friendly locals for directions.

Colourful Venice alleys
Colourful Venice alleys

4. The Traditions

The Ghetto is the part of town where you can experience real genuine Venice culture and traditions. The Ghetto is a small part of town that is somewhat isolated from the rest of the city. It is barely affected by the ever growing tourism industry and you can observe the locals go about their daily lives as always have.

These are a few of the lesser known reasons that make Venice a great tourist destination. You can learn of the primary reasons people visit Venice at eTips.

One of the most romantic places on earth, Barcelona

One of the most romantic places on earth, Barcelona

Who will not fall in love with one of the most romantic places on earth, from the various performances in the street, the art and music, wonderful people, laid-back lifestyle, breathtaking architecture and a bunch of activities around- oh man! This is where you can spend the best time of your life. Barcelona is a gigantic destination that offers a lot to tourists. Our eTips travel guide will give you some highlights of this city with near-limitless options!

Restaurant

No Barcelona trip is complete without dining at their restaurants. The ever famous tapas is likely to be found in almost all restaus including paella, esqueixada, escalivada, and canelons- are just some foods you must try.Well known places to eat are in Can Solé, El Atril, Kaiku, Quimet i Quimet and Bracafe are most recommended!

Barcelona most romantics restaurants! Try Paella!
Barcelona most romantics restaurants! Try Paella!

Museum

Plenty of art collections that span the medieval times to the 1990’s are prominent in the city, but if you are on a short vacation you won’t be able to visit all 70!Yes, seriously!Aside from the famous attractions including Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, don’t forget to include Picasso masterpieces, The Renaissance and Baroque Art Collection includes works by Titian, Tintoretto, Cranach, and the Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) which are indeed historical. Some famous art modernist collections are Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Gaudi, Josep Maria Jujol, Picasso, and Pablo Gargallo.

Park Güell one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona
Park Güell one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona

Market

La Boqueria, a food market like no other, is a tourist landmark in Catalonia that will definitely encourage you to come back in Barcelona! It’s a very busy place and is absolutely crammed with diverse selection of foods such as olives, seafood, fruit, meats, and cheeses. The hustle and bustle around here are things you really wouldn’t want to miss!

Park

Of course, visiting Barcelona won’t be complete without getting a good hotel and to discover the place on foot. You'll want to see all the Parc de la Ciutadella has to offer as well as the Parc de Joan Miró, and the Montjuïc castle. These are widely considered as the most beautiful park destinations in the country.

Ooops there you go! There are more things about Barcelona that you’ll get to know more from people around the central area where transportation is easy. Experience the life of Catalonia and feel like a local. Know more about Barcelona by clicking Barcelona Travel Guide and Offline City Map Support.

The Art of Meriggiare: How to Leisurely Travel Rome in One Day

The Art of Meriggiare: How to Leisurely Travel Rome in One Day

If there is one person who knows the right way to see Rome, it’s Italian poet Eugenio Montale. In his famous work, Meriggiare, he talks about spending the day in deliberate languidness - observing the cracks on the pavement and watching the ants march in a single file - and the pleasure derived from doing it.

Meriggiare means “to pass the hottest hours of the day in a shady outdoor place.” It has no direct translation in English, but if it did, it would simply mean “the best way to enjoy Rome,” which is to say purposefully unhurried.

Even if you’re only in Rome for a layover, all you have to do is download the Rome Travel Guide and Offline City Map find a cozy café using its offline maps, order an espresso, and check out eTips suggestions on how to travel in Rome based on the art of meriggiare.

Take A Walk

Rome is notorious for its bad traffic. In fact, it’s widely recognized as one of the worst places to drive in the world. So, if you only have a few hours to spare in the city, forget about traveling by car.

There is no better way to see Rome than by foot. Take a stroll in the alleys of the Jewish Ghetto,

the oldest Jewish community in Europe, and indulge in the community’s historic and picturesque charms.

One of the ghetto’s must-see attractions is Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedia. Legend has it that it was used in ancient times as a lie detector during trials.

The way it works is that the accused will place his hand inside the mouth. If he’s telling the truth, he gets to keep his hand. If he lies, the Mouth of Truth will punish him by biting off his hand.

You’ll probably recognize the Mouth of Truth from Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck’s film Roman Holiday.

Rome best places to visit
Rome best places to visit

Visit A Local Market. But first, a grattachecca.

As Anthony Bourdain would tell you, if you want to know a city, you have to visit its local market.

Found just south of Piazza Navona, Campo de'Fiori is known as one of the best open-air markets in Rome. It has everything from fruits, vegetables, spices, cheese, flowers, even tableware. There are also stalls that hawk unique souvenir items.

But the highlight of any market are the food stalls. Snack on some porchetta, pizza al taglio, deep fried cod, supplì, and even a cone or two of gelato for a pre-pub hopping fill, before Campo de’Fiori transforms from midday market to an open-air pub at night.

But first, get yourself a refreshing glass of grattachecca, a dessert made from shaved ice, syrup, and fruit toppings, to start your day.

Don't miss Rome amazing markets
Don't miss Rome amazing markets

Nightcap at Trastevere

Trastevere translates to “across the Tiber” is a laidback neighborhood which seamlessly combines Rome’s medieval past and bohemian present.

Indulge in its hipster neighborhood vibe while getting a bite from a trattoria or sipping on wine in an outdoor cafe.

You can start your day with a walk through Trastevere’s winding cobblestone streets. Get your aperitivo on while admiring the well-preserved Medieval architecture, before heading to Piazza Santa Maria to do some people watching.