Venetian Riviera Holiday
The Venetian Riviera is simply unforgettable. Set on islands scattered throughout a lagoon and sheltered from the Adriatic by the Lidos fringed with sandy beaches, the Venetian Riviera is home to one of the world's most amazing cities, as well as busy beach resorts, blending a beach holiday with a city break.
"A breathtaking city and fantastic beaches combine to make the perfect package in the Venetian Riviera. Sit back in the sun or get swept away by the romance in Venice."
Venetian Riviera Holiday - Beaches
Soft golden sands line the east coasts of the Lido and the Lido di Jesolo, islands which lie between the Venetian lagoon and the open sea. The Lido's slender shores once attracted the international elite and today it is still very popular with day trippers as well as guests, though much of the beach is private. The wider sands of Lido di Jesolo create the ideal family beach, gently sloping down to meet the Adriatic. Colorful parasols and sun beds line the 15 kilometer beach, though if you tire of topping up your tan, you can try the many aquatic activities.
Shopping
Shops line the streets of the Lido and Venice's central districts brim with shops and boutiques. There's countless designer fashions sold at exclusive prices and endless imaginative variations on Venetian glass. In Venice, the Rialto has a famous colorful market, though street markets away from the centre offer better prices.
Nightlife
On summer evenings, the Lido bustles with people enjoying a leisurely meal and lingering over fine wines. Take an after dinner stroll through the piazzas humming with life, or for a livelier night, bars and nightclubs stay open well into the early hours. The traditional touch is added by the cultural and folklore shows laid on in the resort. Venice is the perfect place for romance. Wander arm in arm through this beautifully illuminated city, and listen to the orchestras fill the night air with music in San Marco Square, or drift along the canals on an intimate gondola ride.
Whether you're staying in Venice itself or on one of the many islands in the lagoon, as you approach your destination across the waves, you cannot help but marvel at what feat the Riviera is. With no cars on the majority of the islands, transport is almost entirely water based, with pricey gondolas in Venice's canals while water buses and taxis form public transport. Venice sits on 118 small islands and is divided into six districts, though you can easily explore this small city on foot, with pretty bridges connecting the entire city. This city is busy all year round, with its beautiful buildings and astounding setting bringing in tourists from all over the world. The Lido and Lido di Jesolo are the other major tourists' centers on the Riviera, with many of the other islands given over to urban life or industry instead. The Lido serves as the city's beach resort, with day trippers hopping over to the often crowded and expensive beaches on the water buses. The sea and sporting facilities offer a welcome respite from the city, though staying here can prove costly, a hangover from the days when it was one the world's most fashionable resorts. Lido di Jesolo, by contrast, is a purpose built package resort, aimed at people looking to make the most of the beautiful weather on the Riviera. It has everything you need, with wide beaches, all the sports and activities you can think of and an action packed resort centre that is pedestrianised between 8 pm and 6 am to allow for the energetic nightlife.
Local Specialties
You'll have no trouble finding somewhere to eat on the Lido or Venice, no matter the time of day. Pasta, pizza and ice cream are on offer at every turn. Throughout the day, most restaurants offer set and à la carte menus - check carefully which would be better value. For snacks and light refreshments, there are cafés and ice cream vendors - an absolute must, with an abundance of flavors. Sample the wines, particularly the Soave, Volpolicella and Bardolino produced in the Veneto region. The Lido offers specialist Oriental, South American and seafood restaurants. For romantic evening, visit Venice and find a table next to the canal near the Ponte di Rialto or stroll through the streets until you come to one of the many piazzas, most of which will have a small restaurant with tables in the square.