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I'm organizing my photos to free up space on my smartphone before my spring trip. While going through them, I was inspired to continue with the Vatican theme and write about a recommended hotel in Venice, Italy.
Recommended Palace Hotel in Venice
The four-star Al Ponte Antico Hotel, which my husband found and booked for us, turned out to be an absolutely unforgettable place in every sense.
This hotel is actually a palace built in the 1500s. Despite being a palace, the building itself is quite small, with only a limited number of rooms.
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The guest rooms are decorated in the Louis XV style, with valuable tapestries adorning the walls. The owner carefully explained how they have maintained the traditional elements of the historic palace while ensuring modern comfort through thoughtful interior renovations. The bathrooms and other facilities have also been properly updated.
https://www.alponteantico.com/
The unforgettable breakfast was handmade by the owner couple. ❤️ (Of course, they must have days off, but during our stay, the wife prepared homemade pastries, while the husband cooked fresh omelets for us. It was absolutely delicious!)
Since the hotel faces the Grand Canal in Venice, you can enjoy a view of boats passing by on the canal and even see the famous Rialto Bridge from the balcony.
Venice Views You Can’t Miss! A Hidden Gem Rooftop Spot
Since the entire city of Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, strolling through its streets never gets boring! No matter where you walk or which angle you view it from, you’ll always feel the urge to take photos.
But if you're going to admire the city, why not enjoy the view from a panoramic terrace? If you're looking for a spectacular perspective, I highly recommend experiencing the panoramic view from the rooftop of a department store.
This spot is just a three-minute walk from the hotel I introduced earlier. The terrace has a maximum capacity of 70 people, so entry is on a rotation system and requires a reservation in advance. Each visit is limited to 15 minutes, making it a highly efficient way to take in the view!
T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi
(Pronounced: Tee Fon-da-ko Day Te-des-kee)
Since we arrived early, we relaxed at the café on the first floor. Although it's a luxury department store, I noticed that some areas felt somewhat minimalist—in a good way. Then, I found out that this building used to be a post office! That explains the aesthetic. And if this was once a post office, then it’s truly one of the most beautiful ones ever!
Originally, this building was used by foreign merchants to store goods traded via maritime routes. The name "Tedeschi" (meaning "Germans") originates from the fact that not only Germans but also Nordic merchants frequently visited this place for business.
Even today, the marble balconies on the first floor still bear commercial symbols and inscriptions left by German merchants. The Fondaco dei Tedeschi is considered the only surviving example of Renaissance-era corporate symbols, making its historical significance undeniable.
In 1505, the building was destroyed by a devastating fire, but the Venetian Senate began reconstruction in less than five months. It took three years, and by 1508, the building was fully restored.
During Napoleon's era, it served as a customs office, and in the 1930s, it became the headquarters of the Italian Post Office.
In my twenties, I lived in Europe and traveled quite a bit, but somehow, I never had the chance to visit Italy until now. As I stood here, I couldn’t help but wonder—if my younger self had come here back then, how would I have felt?