If you read my post from London To Venice: The Most Beautiful Place to Stay in Venice then thank you! My story continues here and onto the next part of my Venice Diaries which covers all the best things to do in Venice in the rain. The next morning, we had an amazing breakfast at the hotel before setting out for San Marco Square. Travelling by boat in Venice is just fabulous – I love being on the water because there’s just something about it that makes you feel free and we can all agree that travelling by boat seems much more enjoyable than car. You can catch a boat to San Marco Square from San Clemente Palace Kempinksi Venice and it’s about a ten-minute boat ride into the centre.
San Marco square is impressive but it’s always busy so best to get there super early to see the sights and take some photos of St Mark’s Basilica and wander along the waterfront. Just as the rain started, we were off to visit The Merchant of Venice San Fantin Flagship Store which is located just a hop, skip and jump away from the Gran Teatro La Fenice (Venice Opera House) so it’s in a perfect location. I love to get something meaningful from each place I visit and scent is linked to memory so I love the idea of connecting my memory of Venice with a signature scent from The Merchant of Venice.
We tried so many amazing scents but finally I decided on the La Fenice Fragrance which of course connects the memory of not only Venice but also the Gran Teatro La Fenice (Venice Opera House) to a scent. For me I love something personal from each place I go – to treasure and to keep and The Merchant of Venice is so connected to the city and culture of Venice it’s a perfect keepsake to take away with you.
The La Fenice Pour Femme bottle is inspired by the colours of the Gran Teatro La Fenice – blue and gold. And if you do visit Venice, you absolutely must visit the Venice Opera House because it is absolutely STUNNING. So not only does the bottle remind me of the Venice Opera House but the fragrance is also inspired by the magic of the opera with hawthorn, heliotrope, almond flowers and tonka beans, giving it a Floriental nature. It’s a feminine and powdery scent but not overly so, with a base of cedarwood and vanilla. It smells luxurious, rich and indulgent which is the way you feel when you take in the scenes of the Venice Opera House.
Once we left The Merchant of Venice San Fantin Flagship Store, we were able to take a guided tour around the Gran Teatro La Fenice which again I would highly recommend if you do visit Venice. It’s a great place to visit if it’s raining in Venice and you are looking for the best things to do in Venice in the rain.
La Fenice Opera House was founded in 1792. In the nineteenth century, the theatre staged the world premieres of numerous operas as well as once even hosting Napoleon and the interiors are so decadent and gorgeous – you simply must have a look.
After we left the Venice Opera House we had lunch next door at Taverna La Fenice which is a restaurant that is definitely worth visiting just to get a taste of Old Venice because the restaurant retains its original design from back in the day. It’s old and dark – in a good way. I had the risotto and tiramisu for dessert (of course). And when it hits afternoon it’s time to order an espresso because a latte is considered a ‘morning’ drink only. But you can still get one – you just have to convince the staff you really want it:)
Unfortunately in Venice the weather wasn’t on our side so instead of walking to Palazzo Mocenigo after lunch we took a water taxi instead. If you had seen the rain it was pretty monsoonal so a water taxi seemed like the best idea. And if you are looking for indoor activities if it’s raining in Venice then The Merchant of Venice Palazzo Mocenigo Museum of Perfume is worth a look in to escape the rain. You can learn more about the history of cosmetics and perfume in particular amidst works of modern art and it’s worth adding to your best things to do in Venice in the rain list. I particularly liked smelling the raw materials that you can find within fragrances today such as sandalwood, tuberose and jasmine.
If you are also escaping from the rain then eating is always a good idea in Venice. We headed next to Hotel Heurika in Cannaregio which is a lovely part of Venice because it’s away from the crowds – so calm and beautiful. Hotel Heurika is a great option if you are looking to stay close to the action but away from the crowds if you know what I mean.
The hotel is chic and modern – bridging modern design with the architecture of the past. There are only 10 rooms in the hotel but each room is designed uniquely and the rooms are absolutely beautiful, some with incredible views of Venice. So, if you are looking for a boutique hotel in Venice, Hotel Heurika is definitely one to consider. There’s also a beautiful garden as well as a piano room – so many places to discover and unwind with a glass of Italian wine.
After dining on risotta and indulging in a glass or two of wine, we headed back to the Kempinski by boat. The rain had cleared up by this time so it was a clear sky so cruising along the Venetian canals by night under the stars is certainly one to add to your list.
Make sure you read part 3 of my Venice Diaries in the next post. The story continues…
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @beautyrocksblog for all my travel pictures!
*This post was part of a media trip to Venice, hosted by The Merchant of Venice (all views are my own as always)
