Experience Shakespeare's Venice

Venice is one of Europe's most romantic and curious cities, and has a wealth of history and culture behind it. Venice has been renowned as a top city break destination for centuries, largely thanks to the work of writers, poets and other artists who were inspired by the floating city and featured it in their works. Not all of these artists were Italian of course, and perhaps the most famous is England's great bard himself - William Shakespeare.



Venice featured in several of Shakespeare's timeless works, most notably Othello and The Merchant of Venice, and nearby Verona was the setting for Romeo and Juliet, one of his best loved plays of all time. Many people who have found themselves captivated by the romantic Venetian region are not disappointed when they arrive here in person, as many of Venice's historic streets and winding canals have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries.



Literature and culture lovers who wish to experience the fantastical side of Venice are encouraged to visit during the famous Carnevale, which transforms the city centre between the Rialto, San Marco and Accademia into an open-air theatre of performances, parties and other festivities, where visitors are encouraged to wear masks and throw themselves into the part.

However, Venice can be just as appealing any other time of the year, and taking a trip down the Grand Canal and looking over the fabulous Gothic buildings with their ornate glasswork still ranks as one of the world's foremost travel experiences. It's easy to see why Shakespeare and so many others were inspired to write about this fabulous city, and there are plenty of places you can soak up culture while visiting too - from attending a Vivaldi concert to browsing the city's numerous art galleries and museums.



Your Venice city break doesn't have to be restricted to the city itself though, especially if you're hoping to track down more of Shakespeare's magical settings. It's just a short journey by train or bus to Shakespeare's 'fair Verona,' which offers a more relaxed and peaceful respite after the bustle of Venice, and there's still much to see and do.



It goes without saying that Juliet's Balcony is a must-see for Shakespeare lovers, especially if you're able to suspend your disbelief and ignore the fact that the balcony was only built as recently as the 20th century to draw more tourists. However, it's still an impressive and beautiful sight in a city that's already overflowing with impressive sights, including the Roman Arena and Castelvecchio.



Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.