• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Venice Italy

INTRODUCTION

Venice is a wonderful, mystical city, where ancient stone steps rise from swirling water and lead directly into luxurious hotels. Nicknamed "The City of Canals," it is located in Northwestern Italy on the tip of the Adriatic Sea. Venice has not only been a haven but an actual source for culture, art, and knowledge since the Middle Ages. Famous for its canals and Gondola Rides, Venice also is home to well-known piazzas and palaces. The city goes wild during the festivities of Carnival, so grab a mask and take part in the revelry! Throughout the year, Venice is synonymous with exquisite food and passionate romance. Perhaps having been home to the likes of Titian, Vivaldi, and Casanova amplified the city's natural grandeur.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Venice is a fish-shaped lagoon that consists of 118 islands in total. There are more than 400 bridges connecting the separate canals. A city without cars, the main means of transportation in Venice are ferry boats and gondolas. Even FedEx delivers by boat! A gondola ride is certainly a must while visiting Venice, especially for couples. Hotels will often arrange gondola tours, but if romance is the goal, seek out one of the many gondoliers along the canals to be sure of privacy. If you're lucky, the gondolier will not only sing romantically, but relate the myth of the Bridge of Sighs. According to the myth, if you pass through the Bridge of Sighs at sunset with your beloved one, your love will last forever.

Venice--while complicated to navigate--is relatively small and repetitive in terms of shopping and sightseeing. After visiting the Piazzo San Marco, taking a gondola along the canals, being lost in the winding complex of alleyways and bridges, it might be a good breather to take a day-trip to the islands of Lido, Murano, or Burano. Murano Island is, of course, the location of the famous Murano glass factory, where you will have the chance to watch firsthand the production of glass sculptures and jewelry. There are also hand-sewn tablecloths and other Venetian-made items. But it is the stunning Murano glass showrooms that most often impress. A bit cramped, it can be rather frightening if you have two left feet...

Language: Italian

Power: 230V 50 Hz

Currency: Euro

Climate: Hot summers and cold, wet winters.

In the winter season, Venice is threatened by coastal floods. If you decide to go there during the winter be sure to pack some rainboots. While Venice regularly floods, the locals are of course prepared. Piazzo San Marco has been repeatedly inundated, yet the elevated, plywood walkways seem rather to aid tourists in getting less lost in the maze of streets.

In the summer season it can get pretty hot, reinforced by the humidity. While Venice is crowded with tourists all year, off-seasons are nothing compared to the summer and Carnivale. An exception to the oppressive tourism is in the month of November--before the Christmas rush--when it starts getting colder.

Be ready to get great bargains on jewelry in Venetian jewelry shops. Murano glass jewelry is made in bulk in Italy, and Venice sells it for about half of what stores in the United States do. The city is also known for its beautiful masks, which you will see everywhere you turn.

ATTRACTIONS

If you're looking for piazzas and squares, look no further than the famous Piazza San Marco, the Campo San Polo, and the Campo Santa Margarita.

If palaces and great architecture are what you're after, be sure to check out the Doge's Palace, Ca' d'Oro, Basilica Di San Marco, and the other numerous basilicas in the six districts.

Venice's most iconic image is the Gondola. Gondola rides around Venice are indeed available--but for a steep price. The majority of people who live in Venice use public transport--a "waterbus"--to get around. If you'd like to see Venice by water, taking a ride on a waterbus is a cheaper alternative to a Gondola ride and you'll get to travel down the Grand Canal.

There is no shortage of bridges in this city of canals, and some of the most well-known are the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, Accademia Bridge, and the Piazzale Roma Bridge.

In short, you can take a purposeful wrong turn and still see all the sights and experience the true essence of Venice. This city is not afraid to show you what it truly is, and you will come away enamored by the sheer magnificence of it. And don't be afraid to venture off of the main islands of Venice and visit the neighboring towns of Burano and Murano.

RESTAURANTS

Lineadombra: Known as a fancy (and also pricey) Venetian restaurant. Sitting outside on the deck at night, you get to enjoy not only delicious Italian food and wine but also an amazing view.

Trattoria Altanella: This sweet and cozy trattoria is known for its delicious selection of homemade pasta and gnocchi.

Caffé Florian: Located in Piazza San Marco, Caffé Florian is the most famous spot in the city. In spite of its overcharged prices, people from all over the world come to this cafe to enjoy the coffee and listen to live music. Caffé Florian was founded in 1720 and represents Italy's oldest coffeehouse.

Al Volto: The oldest wine bar in Venice, where you can choose from a selection of 1200 different types of wine. Since it is largely frequented by locals, the bar is closed during August, the official month of vacation in Venice.

LODGING

Best Western Montecarlo: This well-known 3 star hotel is set in the heart of Venice, close to everything. The hotel offers an inhouse restaurant and bar.

Hotel A La Commedia: This beautiful 4 star hotel is set in a very popular and lively part of Venice. The hotel offers an inhouse bar and is close to shopping and dining.

Royal San Marco: This lovely 3 star hotel is set in a great location, with easy access to all attractions. The hotel has an inhouse restaurant and bar.

Hotel Al Sole: This beautiful hotel is rated 3 star and can be found in the heart of Venice. It has an inhouse bar and is only a short distance to dining, shopping, and attractions.