Still, there is nothing that can take away from the beauty of Venice. Without a doubt, it has to be one of your priorities when deciding where to travel. Unlike a new pop song that gets old after too much airplay, Venice will never disappoint even after all the hype it receives.
In only a couple of days, you'll be able to experience authentic Venice. While it may be difficult to escape the throngs of travelers, this is not necessarily a bad thing. For a first-time visitor, you'll want to see all the places you've heard so much about: St. Mark's Basilica, the Rialto and the Palazzo Ducale.
how to get there
Arriving in Venice may seem like a daunting task. After all, the city is all islands and canals, making the use of roads non-existent. However, if you arrive in Marco Polo Airport (roughly 7.5 miles from the city), there are several options waiting for you. Taxi to the border of the city and trains are available at respectable costs. The best and coolest way to arrive in Venice, however, is to take a hydrofoil. At only $8 US, you cannot make a better entrance into the Queen of the Adriatic.When asking seasoned travelers of Italy where to sleep in Venice, you might hear the common reply, "don't." A negative impact on most tourists is the high price of hotels in Venice, but if you look carefully, there are ways to save money.
Hostels are available for backpackers and other travelers alike, offering surprising comfort. Hotels off the mainland have lower prices (like the ones in the university city of Padua, a.k.a. Padova), but if you're looking to go all-out for at most a three-night stay in Venice, there are some awesome hotels in great locations in the town proper. The areas of Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio all have great rooms conveniently tucked away to lower the cost, yet are not too far from the action.
a pedestrian's paradise
Venice itself is made up of 117 islands, with 150 canals and 409 bridges. Aside from taking a vaporetto (Venice's answer to a normal city bus), you are going to have to be ready to pound ancient pavement all day long. Your reward? An incredible first-hand look at all six of Venice's sestieri (quarters or parts of the historic center) as well as back-alleys and dead-end paths that seem to transport you to another world.If you need some energy before you start trekking, there are numerous local delicacies to sample. For breakfast, you'll blend in if you have a strong Italian coffee with hot milk, a cornetto (croissant) with apricot or peach jelly, and one or two rolls. The main meal that you should look forward to is lunch. Don't grab a sit-down meal, but do look for one of many snack bars, point to a sandwich and ask for an ombra -- a glass of wine. There, you can find a space at the crowded bar and experience true Venetian life. If your feet are tired, grab some fresh bread, sliced meats, cheese, and wine, and make your own sit-down lunch either back at your hotel room or at any bench in public.
Next on your list lies a place Napoleon christened "the finest drawing room in Europe." St. Mark's Square is famed for its carnival atmosphere and cafes like Florian and Quadri , which have outdoor orchestras. The bell tower, Torre dell'Orologio, and of course the flocks of pigeons in the square, are must-sees. During the flood season (November and December) the square is the first area to be submerged and provides for a great view on a moonlit night.
The Palazzo Ducale looms over the rest of the area, imposing its Gothic architecture and reminding all that it was once the political heart of the city. It is a beautiful palace inside and out, impressive with its design as well as the beautiful Italian paintings it houses. As you make your way through the building, you'll end up walking through a corridor to the renowned Bridge of Sighs , an enclosed crossing that leads to what was once a prison. Even as you exit the building, there are sights to see in the "Porta della Carta."
dinner's on
Grabbing dinner in Venice will most likely be the most expensive meal of the day, but it doesn't have to deplete your savings. In many restaurants, there is a menù turistico (a tourist's menu) that offers a flat rate to all visitors.When you look at the selection of dishes, don't be afraid to splurge: try the spaghetti alle vongole (pasta with clams and hot sauce), baccalà (dried cod) or radicchio alla griglia (grilled endive). If you don't take the flat rate, you'll be paying more but your taste buds will be pleased.
To work your dinner off, take a scenic walk around the area. Don't be shy about getting lost -- it happens to everybody. There are always vendors and accommodating citizens around to point you in the right direction, even though part of the fun in Venice is simply strolling about and getting lost. After your feet begin to get tired, return to your hotel for a solid night's sleep before ticking off some more places to see the next day.
the plan for day 2
In the morning, depending on where you are staying, it's great to take the winding Grand Canal to the Gallerie dell'Accademia, a brilliant art gallery displaying works from the 14th to 18th century. An extensive tour will delight aficionados and amateurs alike with a visual history of the progression of Venetian painting.
Continuing up the Grand Canal is the Rialto, the commercial center. The bridge over the area is full of vendors selling quality tourist goodies. Not only a great place to purchase memorable items, the Rialto encompasses several great buildings.
A former German trading house, the neo-gothic arches of the Pescaria, Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto (the city's oldest church), and other religious monuments all await your visit. This is a great place to spend your day: You can even pick up fruit, vegetables and fish in the open markets for a nice picnic lunch or dinner if you don't want to leave the magnetism of the Rialto.
get lost in venice
There is so much more to see in Venice. Northwest of the Rialto, along the Grand Canal, is the Ca' d'Oro, the most unique of the city's palazzos, with famous lion gargoyles. The islet of Torcello, Piazzale Roma and the Jewish Ghetto (the world's oldest) are just a few of the other sites remaining to be seen. Venice is a top tourist destination for a reason: One can flutter between the "big-name" sites or travel the back alleys to the more obscure but very appealing places.In this captivating city, the atmosphere is intoxicating, the food is exquisite and the whole experience is unique. It is hard to describe a place without streets, where citizens practically live in a see-through bubble, having the amenities of modern cities with the throwback traditions of old Italy. Visit Venice with an open mind and you will see what everyone is raving about.
tips for the trip:
Resources:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/planner/blp_index_venice.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/venice/get.htm
http://www.jewishvenice.org/ghetto/museum.html
Venice Travel Guide
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