Author: donorione

Venice is a surprisingly green city: its historic centre is scattered with public parks – precious and unexpected spaces to be enjoyed, like the Napoleonic Gardens and the Biennale, the Royal Gardens and the Papadopoli Gardens, ideal for a rest and refreshment – and historic gardens belonging to institutions and museums. More info in the Map for refreshment areas.

Do not miss the visit to the Mystical Garden of the Barefoot Carmelites, near Santa Lucia railway station; the gardens and cloisters of San Francesco della Vigna, in Castello; the garden and cloisters of the Redentore, in Giudecca; the park and the cloisters of San Giorgio Maggiore; the garden and the cloister of the monastery of San Lazzaro degli Armeni: places of meditation and peace, surrounded by greenery. The garden of Palazzetto Bru-Zane can be visited when the premise is open to the public for concerts and events. Walk down the garden of Ca ‘Rezzonico and enjoy a unique glimpse of the Grand Canal from the garden of Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti. Unusual is The Nasher Sculpture Garden where works works from the permanent collections are exhibited and the back garden of Carlo Scarpa in the Querini Stampalia Foundation. In the mainland visit the Parks and the Woods of Mestre, following the itineraries in perfect harmony with the environment.

If you’re interested in visiting the oasis, dunes and the pine forest of San Nicolò and the wetlands of Santa Maria del Mare, nothing better than the cycling path along the coast of Lido and Pellestrina, arrinvg  by vaporetto ACTV. Remember that bicycles are forbidden (even when only lead by hand) in Venice city centre

Do not miss the opportunity to visit  the gardens and parks of the Riviera del Brenta villas, the boxwood hedges labyrinth of Villa Pisani, the park of Villa Venier Contarini or Villa Widman or Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta.

Autumn can be a wonderful time to visit the city: Venice shows its more authentic version, the Venetians’ everyday city, still plenty of things to see and do.
The ” Festa del Mosto” (Festival of the must, freshly pressed grape juice) in Sant’Erasmo Island, on September 30. There will be entertainment activities for kids , the pressing demonstration, the famous Venetian rowing regatta “mixed” (where the crew, unlike any other rowing competition, are composed of a man and a woman) and the band.
5-7 October is Garden festival a special occasion for walking in colourful fall red-gold-orange gardens, often closed to the public.
Thousands of running entusiasts will run the Venicemarathon on 25th October starting from Stra along the Riviera del Brenta, finish line at Riva Sette Martiri.
Do not miss the Biennale Architettura (until November 25) and the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Venetian painter, Jacopo Tintoretto , the new exbitions and the theatrical season (Check our Calendar of events).
On 21st November  the Feast of Madonna della Salute is celebrated, with a temporary bridge over the Grand Canal to the Salute Church and special masses.
It is a very Venetian feast. Even today, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to pay homage to the Virgin and to light a candle asking her to keep them in good health. The procession of believers passes stalls selling sweets, coloured balloons and toys. Special foods are prepared just for this day.
In the mainland, in the islands and in the historic centre a rich calendar of events for Le Città in Festa.
If you are looking for new perspectives so to discover the true soul of the city, autumn is the best choice.