As Truman Capote once wrote, ‘Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go’. I am sure we can all agree with that. As cliché as it might sound, Venice remains one of the most seductive, decadent, and inebriating places in the world, and no horde of tourists will ever dent its appeal.
It doesn’t come as a surprise, then, that Venice is still a favourite destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway, most especially on Valentine’s Day. Every year in mid-February, the city fills with lovers enjoying a scenic gondola ride or strolling through the narrow alleys. All of a sudden, it’s peak season. Tables with a view get snatched up in the blink of an eye; good restaurants book up fast; chocolates sell out before you know it and there’s not a rose to be found in the whole of the island. Of course, romance is a lot about improvisation, but for once it becomes vital to have a rough plan and a dinner reservation – on pain of ending up in a dubious establishment that dishes out even more dubious food.
This guide is here to help. See it as a loose list of suggestions for a romantic day in Venice with your better half, from breakfast to dinner, from chocolate truffles to bubbles, but also, with plenty of room to get lost in between – nothing more romantic than that.