My city | Venice

In this months The Simple Things, come with us through the winding streets, sunny squares and cool canals of Venice

There’s no better way to get to the heart of a city than through the people who live there. Every month, we ask someone, clearly in love with their city, to take us on a personal tour and tell us what makes it so special. You may feel inspired to visit one day or to rediscover the charms of a city closer to you, but for now just sit back, relax and enjoy some armchair travel.

This month, Iris Loredana takes us on a tour of her city, Venice.

How long have you lived in the city?
I grew up in Venice and went to university here. I’m passionate about my city, I did my thesis on ecology and the urbanisation of the Venetian Lagoon. I currently live and work in both Venice and Vienna.

Tell us what makes your city unique.
One thing is the light, which you can’t help noticing even on a rainy day. It’s a kind of translucent light that changes rapidly, as does its shimmering reflection on the water, making Venice look like she’s wearing a different dress several times a day. In late summer the sun’s rays immerse the buildings in brilliant sparkles.

What’s it like in September?
Warm and calm. Venice sits in the midst of a vast lagoon and this large water basin stores warmth. This means that summer lasts a little bit longer here. In late summer (we call September ‘summer with a bonus’), the colours become sharper. Early autumn is called ‘Canaletto season’ because the Venetian painters used to benefit from this mesmerising light and clear skies. It’s a great time of the year to go for long walks. The scent of the summer flowers is strong because the heat has abated. On a bright September morning you’ll notice the scents of wisteria, blossoming for the third time and oleander growing in the campi (squares) with its irresistible vanilla-lemon balm fragrance.

Tell us about the light and colours of your city.
In September, the early morning light has a rose gold hue. This colour is accentuated by the red brick façades and many buildings in town that are painted in rosso Veneziano (Venetian red). Towards noon, the sky turns 2 cobalt blue, shifting to emerald by late afternoon. If you’re lucky, your September evening sky will glow rose, pink and dark gold intermingled with light blue.

Turn to page 54 of September’s The Simple Things for more of Iris’s Venice secrets or look out for My City in every issue (and search previous posts here).

Iris Loredana founded website and blog La Venessiana: The Fragrant World of Venice, along with her grandmother, Lina, in 2015. They write about life in the Lagoon, and the city’s private homes, kitchens and secret gardens. Find them at lavenessiana.com.

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View the sampler here.

More from the September issue:

More city guides to download:
 

My City contributors needed!

Do you live in a city with great Autumnal colours?  Are you a photographer, blogger or keen snapper with a good selection (around 30-50) of high res images of your city in Autumn?

We're currently looking for new destinations for our My City feature.  If you think your photographs would grab the attention of our readers and you’d be happy to answer a written q&a revealing the hidden gems of your city, please email becs@icebergpress.co.uk with details of your website or blog so we can take a look at your work. 

No UK destinations at the moment please.

FREE! My City Guides

In each issue of The Simple Things we publish a local’s insider guide to some of the coolest, most interesting and simply favourite cities to visit. As the summer holiday begins, we’re releasing one online each week in association with our friends at Inntravel – The slow holiday people

This week it’s Helsinki. Download Lauren Memarian’s guide for free

This guide was first published in June 2013 - issue 10.

Did you miss Paris, Copenhagen, Florence, Amsterdam or Marrakech?  They’re still available to download.

Coming soon!

25 June – Berlin

2 July – Palma

We'll post on our Twitter and Facebook when they are published.

MY CITY is supported by INNTRAVEL, the Slow Holiday people, who have spent the last three decades exploring Europe’s most beautiful corners along the lesser-trodden path. When it comes to cities, their self-guided walking tours have been carefully researched using their own expert knowledge and insider tips from locals. These specially created routes take in the best-known sights, but also those hidden gems that others miss. Find out more by visiting http://www.inntravel.co.uk

FREE! My City guides

In each issue of The Simple Things we publish a local’s insider guide to some of the coolest, most interesting and simply favourite cities to visit. As the summer holiday season begins, we’re releasing one online each week in association with our friends at Inntravel – The slow holiday people 

This week it’s Amsterdam. Download John Bezold’s guide for free here.

Did you miss Copenhagen or Florence? 

This guide was first published in November 2012.

Coming soon!

4 June - Marrakech

11 June - Paris

18 June - Helsinki

25 June – Berlin

2 July – Palma

We'll post on our Twitter and Facebook when they are published.

MY CITY is supported by INNTRAVEL, the Slow Holiday people, who have spent the last three decades exploring Europe’s most beautiful corners along the lesser-trodden path. When it comes to cities, their self-guided walking tours have been carefully researched using their own expert knowledge and insider tips from locals. These specially created routes take in the best-known sights, but also those hidden gems that others miss. Find out more by visiting www.inntravel.co.uk

My City: Calling all city snappers

Would you like to share the great things about the city you live in?  Are you a photographer, blogger or keen snapper with a good selection (around 30) of high res images of your city?

We're currently looking for new destinations for our My City feature.  If you think your photographs would grab the attention of our readers and you’d be happy to answer a written q&a revealing the hidden gems of your city, please email becs@icebergpress.co.uk with details of your website or blog so we can take a look at your work. 

We’re particularly interested in lesser known European cities for our mid and late summer issues.  No UK destinations at the moment please. 

Los Angeles: Ten classic films set in the City of Angels

Gather friends, crank up the heating to replicate that searing California warmth, and make a batch of uber-healthy green juice – it’s time for an LA-themed movie night.

Inspired by the beautiful photographs illustrating Erin Spen’s tour of Los Angeles in January’s issue of The Simple Things (My City, page 68), we’ve rounded up our top ten films that best capture the City of Angels.

With Hollywood at the heart of the movie industry, films set in Los Angeles have a special appeal. And with the nominees for the 87th Academy Awards expected next week, we’re using these dark winter evenings to best effect – on the sofa watching some of our favourite flicks. No need to dim the lights.

Pretty Woman (1990)

“Big mistake... Huge” says Vivian to the snooty Rodeo Drive shop assistant. A classic line from a classic film, Julia Roberts stars as a hooker-with-a-heart alongside businessman, Richard Gere.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

The intersecting storylines of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase are told in Tarantino’s trademark eye-popping dialogue to a classic soundtrack.

The Bling Ring (2013)

Sofia Coppolla’s most recent offering is the true story of a gang of teenage thieves targeting LA’s rich and famous to steal their clothes, shoes and jewellery.

The Long Goodbye (1973)

Robert Altman’s neo-noir tale twists and turns through the streets of Los Angeles and on the road to the Mexican border. Starring Elliott Gould as private eye, Philip Marlowe.

Clueless (1995)

Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless tells the tale of spoilt Hollywood teen, Cher Horowitz. Shallow and silly, Cher and her friends deliver on sharp lines and killer outfits.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

After a car wreck on the winding Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a perky Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in this twisting neo-noir by David Lynch.

Chinatown (1974)

Frequently featured at the top of ‘best movies of all time’ lists, Chinatown deserves its accolades. Jack Nicholson stars as a private detective hired to expose an adulterer who finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption and murder.

Annie Hall (1977) 

Straying from his beloved New York, Woody Allen’s character Alvy travels to Hollywood to try to win back his eponymous heroine. Plenty of gags poke fun at the superficial LA scene but the film showcases the city in beautiful ways.

The Graduate (1967)

Swimming pools and sunshine abound in this classic film featuring Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock seduced by the archetypal older woman, Mrs Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft.

A Single Man (2009)

Directed by Tom Ford, A Single Man is a beautiful portrait of a grieving professor in the 1960s.  As you’d expect with a fashion designer for a director, every scene is like a perfume ad.

Words: Lottie Storey