Venice is definitely a destination for romance. Whether it be a honeymoon, anniversary, or a trip with that special someone; love is always in the air. This romantic city and its starry-eyed atmosphere don’t exactly host a barrage of activities for children. However, there are a couple of options for the little ones.

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica )
Climb up onto the porch of the Basilica to see replicas of the four life-size bronze horses, brought from Constantinople in the 13th century. (The original horses are in the museum in the basilica.)

Before going into St. Mark's Basilica, let the children climb up the Bell Tower (Campanile) in the Piazza. They will get a fantastic view of Venice and the pigeons gathering in the square.

Boating
Hard to avoid, this is a highlight for many who visit. On a Gondola, the kids will enjoy the excitement of floating down one of the most photographed places in the world.

Doge Palace
The Doge Palace is located next to the Basilica and was once the centre of Venetian government. Kids will be enchanted by the Armoury filled with antique weapons. The building also has a wonderful ceiling that is field with painted clouds and horses.

Glass-blowing
Children can visit the island of Murano where they can tour glass blowing workshops, free of charge. The kids will be mesmerized by watching these master glassblowers take a glowing lump and turn it into glass-art.

Museo del Settecento Veneziano (Museum of 18th-Century Venice)
English critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) may have called this "the silliest palace" on the Grand Canal, but today a visit to its Museo del Settecento Veneziano provides a fascinating peek into the lives of Venetian nobles and commoners of a bygone era that deserves all visitors notice.

Parks
If the kids get tired of cultural activities and need to burn off excess energy, take them to the park at Parco delle Rimembranze, in Sant'Elena. There is a play area, roller skating rink and a area to play football.

Football
Italians are very passionate about football and Venice, being home to the Venezia Football Team, is no exception. It is the most important sport in Italy and the city comes out in full force to enthusiastically support their home team at the Pierluigi Penzo Stadium. Buy your tickets in advance at the Banca Antoniana Popolare Veneta, in San Marco and Cannaregio.

Besides spectator sports, the city has on offer numerous golf facilities, boating and sailing, rowing, tennis and water sports.

Rowing
Locals as well as tourists can participate in the many regattas, especially the Vogalonga Marathon. Boats can be rented easily, with numerous rowing clubs vying for your business.

Golf
Golf is definitely a favourite Italian sport and Venice boasts a number of excellent golf courses. Many of them are open to non-members, so whether you are a expert golfer or a novice, you will definitely enjoy yourself on one of these attractive 18-hole courses.

Sailing and Boating
The main sailing clubs in around the city centre, particularly near the Giardinetti in San Marco, offer sailing and boating lessons for adults and young children, provided that they know how to swim. There are also sailing schools, where some lessons actually lead to motorboat licences.

Swimming
There are public beaches situated at San Nicoló and Murazzi that are used by locals and tourists, while many people prefer to swim in the Lido. In Sacca Fisola, there is also a public pool that is on offer.

Cafés are a fundamental part of Italian living and Venice is no exception. Also referred to as bars, cafés are found throughout the city. In Venice, cafés serve coffee drinks, tea, juices and sodas and alcohol, as well as food items. From your morning cappuccino and pastry to your Mid-day panino (sandwich) and an espresso that will get you through until dinner time, café’s have all of the essentials on offer.

Besides the local cuisine, Venice offers a limited variety of international cuisine with Japanese, French and Chinese fare being featured throughout the city. Venetian cuisine is the obvious favourite of both tourist and the local people.

Fresh fish is an essential part of Venetian dining as is rice and pasta. Whether you fancy thinly succulent sliced meats, silky slices of prosciutto, stir-fried slivers of fegato alla veneziana (liver), or the deliciously luscious small game (quail is a favourite), Venetian cuisine is arguably amongst the best in the world.

What makes Venetian food truly unique is the heartiness of the food and the refusal to mask dishes with heavy sauces. There is always an insistence on freshness and quality that dignifies the cuisine.

Wine is also a very important part of the Venetian table. There are a host of excellent local wines on offer. The quintessentially Italian Bardolino is from the nearby Veneto area and is also a favourite amongst locals and tourist.

The Bellini is a much-loved drink among locals and visitors alike. It is a blend of sparkling wine and peach nectar. Invented at the renowned Harry's Bar in Venice by the owner Giuseppe Cipriani, this popular drink was named after the fifteenth-century Venetian painter, Giovanni Bellini. Ernest Hemingway used to have his own table in one corner of Harry's Bar and reportedly, the Bellini was his favourite drink.

Venice is without doubt one of the main shopping hubs in Italy. With numerous districts providing a shopper's paradise, there is something for everyone. Whether you are shopping for the latest couture or for rare antiques, rest assured that Venice will provide you with a huge choice.

The Mercerie and the nearby Calle dei Fabbri have been the main shopping streets in Venice for hundreds of years. Distinctive shops and galleries line the streets of this historic area, attracting crowds of shoppers. The more exclusive stores can be found lined up from the Piazza to the Academia Bridge, providing a wide-range of merchandise.

In the San Marco area of Venice, top fashion designer outlets are abundant, with prominent designers like; Armani, Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Valentino offering up the latest trends in the fashion industry.

To read travel articles about Venice, please visit the Tangent Archive.