As the world’s only pedestrian city, Venice, Italy, is a charming and ancient canal-based archipelago on the country’s Northeastern coast. The grand displays of city wealth are found in everything from the architecture and massive palaces, to the art museums and waterfront osteries cooking up a gourmet feast on a single burner. Old world Italy is still quite intact in Venice, but the Venetians haven’t turned a blind eye to modernity either. Their dress boutiques are filled with bohemian-chic forward fashions and galleries with blown glass and contemporary paintings. Upon first arriving, one may think that Venice was built just for them. The truth is, there is never a time of year when visitors will not share the narrow streets and sparkling canals with countless other travelers who all share the same love-at-first-sight notion as they settle into their first gondola ride.
Piazza San Marco is the city’s largest, most-visited square, and houses the Basilica di San Marco as well as the clock tower, Doge’s Palace and Procuratie Vecchie, whose ground floor is occupied by shops and cafes. Dotted with a myriad of churches and museums, such as San Giovanni e Paolo, Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum), Galleria dell’Accademia di Venzia and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice shines as a cultural epicenter within Europe and the world. The VeniceCard and the Chorus Pass are two passes that can be purchased for discounted public transport and access to many churches and museums.
To find some local music coming from venues other than cheerful gondoliers, check out Teatro La Fenice for epic opera, Al Vapore for jazz and blues, Terrazzamare by the beach or Laboratorio Occupato Morion for local Veneto bands in a dive bar setting. Shopping is also plentiful in Venice. The narrow streets and alleyways are peppered with artisan shops selling carnival masks, Murano glass and marbled paper. Designer shops (like everywhere in Italy) are plentiful in areas around St. Mark’s Square and Calle della Mondola.
In Venice, you can have a variety of culinary experiences. There’s the quintessential candlelit dinner by the canal, the hole-in-the-wall joint serving fresh handmade pasta, the sidewalk café serving pizza or the upscale restaurant that prepares local specialties such as cuttlefish or gnocchi. While maybe not getting the most accolades for dining in Italy, Venetian cuisine is nothing to scoff at.
The closest airport is Marco Polo Airport (VCE) on the mainland near the city of Mestre. Located 16 miles from Venice is the relatively small airport, Treviso (TSF), though it mainly serves domestic flights. The transportation choices in Venice are simple ones: by foot or by water. Gondolas and water taxis (vaporetti) will take visitors up and down the canal-riddled archipelago, while the inner parts of the city are highly walkable.
Venice has a humid subtropical climate with cool winters and very warm summers. July is the year’s hottest month, and has an average high temperature of 81.5° F (27.5° C). Winters can get quite cool, with breezes coming off of the water and average lows of 42.4° F (5.8° C). The best time to visit Venice is during the spring and autumn months, though summers are quite popular as well. Chances are the better the time of year, the more people that will visit along with you. Though you might not have Venice all to yourself, the city becomes incredibly personal once your first memory is made here.
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Al Ponte Antico Hotel
Hotel
The Al Ponte Antico is a small four star hotel facing the Grand Canal offering spectacular views of the Rialto Bridge. This hotel is family managed creating a special atmosphere with customized guest service. There are four different room types to choose from all equipped with telephones, satellite TV, a mini bar, a safe, air conditioning and a radio and stereo system. Non smoking rooms are available.(more)
Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo
Hotel
Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is located in the heart of the city in a two story old Venetian building. There are 10 non smoking rooms in this hotel beautifully decorated with a vogue style seen in Venice during the 1700’s. All rooms have big beds, chandeliers, exposed beams and original Venetian flooring or parquet. Some rooms overlook the Rio di S. Stae and others have hydro-massage baths and a small terrace sitting right above a private courtyard.(more)
Hotel Antiche Figure
Hotel
This hotel overlooks the Grand Canal and sits very close to the main entrance of the city. Hotel Antiche Figure is located in close proximity to Basilica dei Frari, Rialto Bridge, the Modern Art Museum of Ca’Pesaro, the S. Marco’s Square and much more. There are two different rooms to choose from; the Deluxe rooms which are decorated in all blue each have a separate living and sleeping area and the Superior rooms decorated in all red each have spectacular views of the narrow street and the red tile roofs. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating controls, direct dial phones, satellite color TV, a radio, an in room safe, a hairdryer and internet connection.(more)
Ca' dei Dogi
Hotel
The Ca’ dei Dogi is an antique Venetian palace that dates back to the 15th century and is located close to the Palazzo Ducale and the Bridge of Sighs. All rooms are decorated in Venetian marble and mosaics and come equipped with modern technology such as LCD TV’s. Guests can enjoy a daily continental breakfast and services such as bookings for concerti interpreti Veneziani and bookings trips to the islands.(more)
Residence Corte Grimani
Hotel
This hotel is located within and old 17th century Venetian that has been restored. There are 15 beautiful apartments each named after a famous Venetian artist. Staff members will street the guests of Residence Corte Grimani like famliy making for a very friendly atmosphere. There is a receptionist available 24 hours a day.(more)
Aqualandia
Attraction
Aqualandia is a recreated Caribbean Island right outside of Venice. Housing attractions such as the highest waterslide in the world is what makes Aqualandia Italy’s number one water park. Whether you want to enjoy a nice relaxing dip in the pool, sit front row in one of the many entertaining shows, or jump on one of the many slides for a thrilling ride, Aqualandia has it and offers a variety of things to do for people of all ages.(more)
Telecom Italia Future Centre
Attraction
Once a convent, this one thousand year old building blends Venetian heritage with modern technology. The Telecom Italia Future Centre is located on the Campo San Salvador, along the Mercerie shopping route. Guests will wander through courtyards and various buildings as they walk right into the future.(more)
Grand Canal
Attraction
One of Venice’s most popular attractions, this “S” shape canal measures over two miles in length. The Grand Canal banks are lined with more than 170 beautiful buildings, most of which date back to the 13th through the 18th centuries and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos such as the Palazzi Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. These spectacular buildings never fail to mesmerize their visitors.
The Lagoon
Attraction
Exploring the shallow miles of lagoon which stretch around Venice, dotted with islands, is an instructive as well as enjoyable experience. Both the history of these islands and the nature of the lagoon come to life as your boat chugs away from the distracting palaces and bell towers of Venice. There are over a hundred fascinating islands to explore, such as Lido, Burano, Murano, and Torcello; all home to interesting ruins, monasteries, artisans and schools.
Lido Beach
Attraction
The Lido forms the main land barrier between Venice and the open sea. The main attraction for many to Lido, is its’ infamous beach, well known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Lido Beach. Hire a cabana or a post on one of the private beaches and sit back and enjoy a day of relaxation.