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How To Spend The Perfect Day In Venice

Venice has always been a popular destination for locals and tourists, but over the past 5-10 years the city has emerged as one of the coolest and hippest places to spend time in. With its eclectic vibe, multitude of activities, great shopping and top notch restaurants, there is plenty to do and see in Venice. Want to spend a day in this exciting city? Follow our guide for the perfect day.
Morning
venice canal
(credit: Belyay/shutterstock)

Start your day early and grab some breakfast or brunch at Venice hotspot Gjusta. This artisanal bakery, deli and cafe offers up delicious bites in a space that oozes cool. Grab a coffee, some pastries, or opt for breakfast items and a smoothie. The possibilities are endless here! Other great breakfast and brunch spots include the Rose Cafe, Gjelina (make sure to make a reservation!), as well as Superba Food+Bread, The Tasting Kitchen and The Butcher's Daughter.
 
Once you're done, head over to the Venice Canals and stroll the pedestrian bridges while you experience one of the areas charming attractions. The Canals, built by developer Abbot Kinney in 1905, were built as a way of bringing Italy's version to California. Today, the homes that line the canals are some of the most sought after and it's a great way to spend the morning walking the pathways and bridges.

Afternoon
abbottkinney.jpg
(credit: Abbot Kinney)

Next stop is the famed Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Arguably the lifeblood of Venice, Abbot Kinney is just minutes from the beach and offers a charming boulevard of shops and restaurants. Stop into Burro for great gifts, stationary, accessories and clothes, and then head over to shops like Garrett Leight to try on some of the best sunglasses around. Other shops not to miss include Heist, Vince, Steven Alan, and Huset for modern Scandinavian home goods. Hungry? Stop by Gjelina To Go and grab some food for the road, or for a treat, visit Salt & Straw for the best ice cream in town. The chef-driven ice cream is handmade in small batches and is not to be missed. Also on the Boulevard is Intelligentsia Coffee, Kreation Juicery, The Butcher's Daughter, and Blue Bottle Coffee. And, make sure not to miss the gourmet donut shop Blue Star Donuts! You can also decide to ride bikes along the bike path instead of or in addition to Abbot Kinney. Ride the bike path, or walk over to the Venice Boardwalk and take in the sights and sounds of all the creative vendors.

Evening/Night
hotel erwin high rooftop lounge
(credit: Lana D./yelp)

As the sun is setting, head over to Hotel Erwin and their hugely popular High Rooftop Lounge to watch the sun set over the beautiful Pacific Ocean. High Rooftop Lounge offers delicious cocktails to sip on as you sit on their patio and take in the sights. Hungry? head over to a bevy of incredible restaurants perfect for dinner, including Gjelina, The Tasting Kitchen, Salt Air, Scopa Italian Roots, or Baby Blues BBQ.

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