Venezia is a fantasyland full of wonders everywhere you turn.
Venice, Italy
Venice
Venezia is a fantasyland full of wonders everywhere you turn. From the Grand Canal to the smaller canals, this beautiful island boasts a charm unlike any other place on this earth. Venice is a city you will fall in love with or not. There is no in-between. It can be quite expensive to eat in high touristy restaurants so do your best to take your meals in less crowded areas. Make sure to have several euros for the WC to use the restroom in the public areas where the costs usually range from .50 to 1 €.
Start the day by opening those famous Venetian windows and watch the locals cruise down the back canals in their boats on their morning commute. Have a cappuccino and a breakfast pastry before heading to the Rialto Market for fresh produce before the day trippers arrive in Venice.
The best way to experience Venice is by foot. Walk the back streets and view everyday life. Don't worry about getting lost; you're on an island. Locate markers throughout the city that points you to several key tourist locations. They are posted with arrows topside of buildings pointing in the direction to go. Just follow the crowd. When you want to take a break from walking, hop on a Vaporetto and cruise the Grand Canal. At night, after all the day trippers are gone, take a stroll to St. Marks Square, grab a gelato or wine, and listen to the dueling orchestras. Afterwards take a walk to a quiet back canal, stand on a bridge and listen to the gondoliers serenade their passengers and watch lovers pass you by holding hands.
TRANSPORTATION
How do I get from Marco Polo airport to Venice? How do I cruise the Grand Canal? How do I get around Venice?
Use Venice's public transportation system.
GRAND CANAL
The Grand Canal is likely the most famous canal in the world. It is a major "S" shaped waterway with luxurious palazzos located on each side of the canal running through the heart of Venice with one starting in the San Marco basin by Saint Marks Square and the other end leading into the Venetian Lagoon.
SAN MARCO SQUARE
Enjoy the feel of San Marco Square during the day ducking and dodging pigeons and the day trippers and at night enjoy walking back and forth listening to the dueling bands with a glass of wine or gelato. Avoid sitting down at a table in the square to eat because you will have to pay a coperto charge.
SAN MARCO BASILICA
Named after St. Mark, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, the Basilica was built to house the relics of St. Mark which were said to be stolen by Venetian merchants.
DOGE'S PALACE
The Palace was the resident of the Doge of Venice now turned museum.
BRIDGE of SIGHS
The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge's Palace to the New Prison. There are several theories of how the bridge got it's name.
RIALTO BRIDGE and RIALTO MARKET
This famous pedestrian bridge is one of four bridges that crosses the Grand Canal leading to the nearby Rialto Market where locals by fresh produce and various meats. Easily accessible from the vaporetto Linea #1 at the Rialto stop on the Grand Canal.
SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE
Island located across from San Marco Square home to San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica accessible by the vaporetto Linea #2. Go to the top of the campanile for a view of Venezia.
VENICE ARSENAL
The Arsenal is a former Venetian Naval shipyard.
EVERY DAY LIFE
While exploring Venice on foot on the back canals you will find the locals going about their daily routines and tourists mingling with the locals.