Venice has quite the reputation  – one steeped in gorgeous gondoliers, carnivals and a whole lot of money. Let’s explore its must sees and secrets, all with a happy face and an empty stomach.

When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore, Dean Martin croons in my head. There’s just something about this romantic city of 118 islets (though some may say it’s 121) that brings out the sap in me, and the good-looking gondolier giving me the once-over isn’t hurting matters at all. Don’ worry it’ll probably have the same effect on you, and you’ll discover along the way that this city isn’t only about the canals (or the gondoliers manning them).

Venice and its paradise

Perhaps its the sprinkling of moonlight on the canals, perhaps it’s the devastatingly handsome Italian men who will unabashedly profess their love for you and make and make you swoon, or perhaps, it’s the fact that even if your pockets aren’t bursting at the seams with the greens, you can always grab a seat by the water, watch the gondolas glide by and still feel the happiest person on the planet.

Gondola ride

For more than a century, the lagoon that separates Venice from mainland Italy not only protected it from the Barbarian attacks that preceded the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century A.D, but also effectively cut it off from Italian politics. Many fled to the safety of the island during the attacks, the canals and lagoon providing sufficient cover. A city built out of fear, Venice soon began to flourish and grew to be  one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Piazza San Marco

Take it easy and come with an open mind, and you’ll soon see that Venice hides a lot of its secrets beyond the canals. To gorge on delicious Venetian food, do yourself a favor and visit Venice’s oldest establishment, the Cantina do Mori. The only thing that’s changed in this 1462 bacaro (a traditional Venetian bar) is the owners, and its been attracting locals and visitors alike for all these years. Some say even Casanova was a regular here.

You’ll get the best views of St. Mark’s Square from the topmost terrace of Basilica di San Marco.