Venice

No trip to Italy is complete without experiencing the romance and history of Venice. The long, narrow winding streets through the canals are ready for the visitor to explore and enjoy the myriad of small shops filled with souvenirs. And of course there are the canals, which is what makes Venice so special. You have to see Venice from a gondola ride, even if it does cost a pretty penny to do so. You will not regret the experience.

There are so many places to choose from when it comes to your stay so we would suggest doing some in-depth research, not only to get the best deal, but also to ensure you stay in an area that will provide the most access to the many tourist spots. We opted to stay in Ca’Angeli Venice which, if we are completely honest, was not the best spot to stay. Don’t get us wrong, it was still in easy walking distance to everything we wanted to see, but the hotel itself was not exceptional. We thought we were doing the right thing by staying in the Double Room Terrace, which did have a magnificent terrace overlooking Venice. However, the room did not even fit our suitcases and it was located up some very narrow and winding stairs, which were almost impossible to get up with luggage in tow. This is the only time on this website that we would advise travellers to stay clear of a hotel.

If you are arriving into Venice via train, then the easiest way to get to your hotel is by water taxi. There are two options – a private water taxi which will cost more, or the public Vaporetto, which will cost less but stop along the way. If you don’t mind soaking up the sights as you travel, then the better way to get to your destination is by the Vaporetto. You also might like to consider using a multiple pass for the Vaporetto if you wish to travel along the canals more regularly.

So, what are some of the highlights of Venice.

St Mark’s Basilica – entrance to the Basilica is free, although a donation is suggested. If you wish to visit the San Marco Museum, the Treasury and the Golden Altarpiece then you will need to buy tickets. We always suggest that you buy online to avoid the long queues.
St Mark’s Square – located just in front of the Basilica the square is a hive of activity. There are plenty of cafes dotted around its edges, but be warned….you will pay a premium price for coffee, and you cannot sit at any of the tables unless you purchase something. However, having said all that, we spent a number of hours on our visit sitting and watching the crowds go by. After all….holidays are about experiences, and some of those experiences will cost money.
Doge’s Palace – built in the Venetian Gothic style, the Palace is one of the main landmarks in Venice. It is a hugely popular tourist destination so make sure you buy your tickets online before you get there. If you don’t you will probably spend the better part of a couple of hours in a long queue.
Bridge of Sighs – this is part of the Doge’s Palace and was used to connect the New Prisons with the Magistrate’s Hall. It is quite a famous landmark so there are always plenty of photographers with lenses aimed at this beautiful structure.
Rialto Bridge – the oldest of the four bridges in Venice, it is also its most famous. It does always seem to be having some construction work done to it, but such a famous landmark deserves some decent photos regardless of what work is being done to it. Beware the tourist….they are thick around this area as there are plenty of restaurants to sit at and enjoy the view of the bridge.
Canal Grande – this is the main canal through Venice, and the busiest for water traffic. However, it gives you a wonderful view of the beautiful buildings that make Venice so special, so you should take the time to ensure you take a trip along it.
Gondola rides – Venice is famous for its gondolas and there are plenty of them. There is nothing more romantic than travelling down the Grande Canal of Venice in a gondola, hopefully whilst you are being serenaded by your gondolier! However, they are expensive so if your budget doesn’t allow a trip down the Grande Canal, then the secret is to go to the less known canals where you will find plenty of gondoliers ready and willing to take you on trips for much less money.
Murano Glass – just about every hotel will organise a trip for you to the island of Murano to visit one of the many glass blowing factories. And believe me when I say the competition is hot for your tourist dollar. If you do choose to visit one of the factories, you will be given a demonstration of glass blowing, which is really very interesting. But, after that you will be herded into their shop and followed constantly by a staff member. If you happen to mention that you like something, before you know it a dozen items will be placed before you to buy! Having said all that we have bought several items over the years including a chandelier, a set of wine glasses and some other ornaments and jewellery. They are packed extremely well for shipping, and if you do happen to find an item broken in transit, they will replace free of charge. There are so many options to choose from when visiting the factories, and even though we have provided a link to one business, we are certainly not suggesting this is the one you should visit, but merely giving you an idea of what is for sale. We think all the factories and shops are excellent, with prices being very similar.
Shopping – there is nothing quite like shopping in Venice. You can find just about anything from fine leather coats and handbags, to silk ties and fabulous shoes. But Venice is probably best well known for its wonderful masks, and there are a number of good quality shops selling them at a reasonable price. However, if you don’t wish to spend too much money on a Venetian mask then the tourist stalls are the best place to buy them. However the quality at the stalls is not great.

Travel Tips

Walk along the waterfront near the Doge’s Palace and you will find plenty of tourist huts selling all manner of goodies. You can also find gondolas ready and willing to take you on a canal tour. Haggle a bit for your gondola ride as the competition is high for your money.
Everything is in easy walking distance so ensure you take a couple of days to explore Venice. There is much to see and appreciate.
Canal travel – there are two options for getting around on the water:
- Water taxi – licensed water taxis have a yellow stripe with a licence number. Be warned though – you should always get a quote if you are booking through your hotel or travel agent as mark-ups can be outrageously expensive. Also be aware that they are relatively expensive as a form of transport.
- Vaporetto – known as the water bus the fares are still relatively expensive so you would be wise to buy a 1 to 7 day Tourist Travel Card.
- General information on the both can be found here.

Travel Alerts

We would not recommend visiting Venice in their peak season. When we have travelled to Venice it has been off-season, and we can assure you that the crowds have still been huge.
Nothing is cheap in Venice, so expect to pay a premium price for food and drinks.
Because it is such a busy tourist destination we would suggest you look after your personal belongings. Venice is the sort of place where gypsies will frequent and will target your bags.

Travel Adventures

Take some time to get away from the main island. The streets further afield are lined with good shopping and pretty sights. The food is also much cheaper and probably better quality than on the main island.
Check out the Venice Tourist Information website for further information.