St. Croix



Venice

Some helpful information about Venice gathered from various sources
More information will be added as I find it
Arrival in Venice, Things to Do, Lodging, Bacari, Dining

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any personal information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Arrival in Venice

Where you arrive in Venice will depend on where you are coming from and how you are getting here. If you are coming from the US, it is possible to get a direct flight, at least from New York. I do not know about other cities in the US.

Parking

Be advised that you cannot drive a car in the city of Venice. You can drive across the causeway and park in the Tronchetto parking garage or park in Mestre near the Venezia Mestre railway station and take the train to the Venezia Santa Lucia train station. In either case you will end up at the end of the causeway and have to make your way from there.

If you are staying in a hotel in Mestre, ask them about the best way to get into Venice. If you are staying in a hotel in Venice, ask them about the best place to park your car while you are there.

Vaporetti

Once you are in Venice, you can take a water taxi to wherever you are going, but that will be expensive. Probably the best option would be the Vaporetti — water busses. You can buy a travel card at any vaporetto ticket office for any period from 12 hours to 7 days. Also pick up a route map at the ticket office.

Gondolas

Be sure to take a gondola ride while you are there, just for the experience, but you will not be using them for standard transportation. They are a bit pricey but romantic.

Walking

The best way to get around Venice is walking. The city is not that big so this is a good option. Maybe take a vaporetto to Piazza San Marco, and walk around from there.

Traghetti

There are several bridges you can use to cross the canals while you are walking, and also the "traghetti", or gondolas, that go back and forth all day long across the canals from six locations: San Marcuola, Santa Sofia, San Tomà, San Samuele, Santa Maria del Giglio, and the Dogana. On a map of Venice, look for the dotted lines crossing the canals. This is where you will find the traghetti. A regular gondola ride will cost around €50.00 or more, but the traghetti will cost about €0.50 or so (maybe a little more now.) If they are busy, the traghetti will get full and you may have to stand, so you can decide whether to use them or walk to the closest bridge.

Venice Airport

Venice Airport
You can take a ferry from the airport to the city of Venice. If you are staying in Mestre, then contact your hotel and ask them the best way to get from the airport to the hotel.

Things to do

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

  • VizioVirtù

    VizioVirtù chocolate shop
    S. Polo 2898/A 30125 Venezia, Italia Telephone: +39.041.2750149
    A chocolate shop in the center of Venice, 15 minute walk from Saint Mark's Square.

  • Grand Canal
    The "main street" of Venice. If you want to splurge, take a water taxi from the train station area to Saint Mark's Square. Otherwise, just walk around the city and you will see the Grand Canal many times during your walk.
  • Saint Mark's Basilica
    Basilica di San Marco located at the head of Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square)
  • Piazza San Marco
    Saint Mark's Square, also called the "drawing room of Europe." Shops and restaurants, cafes, etc. For less expensive shops and restaurants, just walk a couple of blocks away from the piazza.
  • Campanille di San Marco
    The bell tower for Saint Mark's Basilica, it was originally a lighthouse. You can take an elevator to the top for some great views. But be aware that the bells could begin ringing while you are up there.
  • Palazzo Ducale
    The Doge's Palace, this was the seat of government in Venice for centuries. This was the location of the law courts and the civil administration of Venice, as well as being the home of the Doge, the elected leader of Venice.
    Behind the palace is the prison, which is connected to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs.
    You can take The Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour
  • Gondola ride
    Gondola rides are not cheap. However, to ensure you do not get ripped off, go to one of the collective Gondolier stands to hire a gondola. The gondolas will carry up to 6 passengers, so you can split the cost with others if you choose.
  • Teatro la Fenice
    Teatro la Fenice is the most important opera house in Venice, and is also a prestigious concert venue.
    Campo San Fantin, 1965, 30124 Venezia, Italy Telephone: +39 041786511
  • Torre dell'Orologio
    A 14th century clock tower located on the north side of Saint Mark's Square, near the basilica, across from the campanile. Tour guides will show you the ancient inner-workings of the clock.
  • San Giorgio Maggiore
    Located on Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, across Saint Mark's Basin, just a quick vaporetto ride from Saint Mark's Square, is the church of San Giorgio Maggiore. It is free to visit, and is beautiful inside, with an optical illusion floor. And you can go to the top of the campanile for great views.
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection
    The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, located in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal, Peggy Guggenheim's former home.
    704 Dorsoduro, I-30123 Venezia, Italy Telephone: +39 041.2405411
    One of the most important museums in Italy for American and European art, collected personally by Peggy Guggenheim. The museum also contains masterpieces from the Gianni Mattioli Collection and the Nasher Sculpture Garden.
  • Ponte di Rialto
    The Rialto Bridge is the most famous of the three bridges that cross the Grand Canal. It was constructed under the supervision of Antonio da Ponte, between 1588 and 1591
  • Rialto Market
    Food market and street markets in the area of the Rialto Bridge.
  • Lido
    The Lido is an 11 km long sandbar located across the Venice lagoon. Here you can find many hotels as well as beaches.
  • Murano
    The island of Murano is famous for its glass factories. You can buy Murano glass all over Venice and visit Murano glass demonstrations, but the factories are actually located on the island of Murano.
  • Burano
    The island of Burano is a fisherman's island, and is famous for lace. There are also some fine restaurants located here, including:
  • 30 Things to do in Venice — day tours from Viator tours — walking tours, boat tours, boat & walking tours, etc.
  • tikititaly.com — skip the lines — get tickets ahead of time for many attractions

Lodging

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

Here are some websites that offer accomodations in Venice. I'm sure there are many more.

Bacari

A bacaro is a bar that offers "cicchetti," which are small plates similar to the tapas that are available in Spain.

  • Cantina do Mori

    Sestiere San Polo, 429, Venezia Telephone: +39 041 52 25 401
    Cantina do Mori is the oldest wine bar in Venice

  • Pronto Pesce Pronto

    Pescheria Rialto - San Polo, 319, Venezia Telephone: +39 041 8220298
    A bacaro that puts a modern spin on traditional cicchetti

  • Osteria Antico Dolo

    Osteria Antico Dolo Ruga Rialto 778, Venice Telephone: +39 041 5226546
    A bacaro located near the Rialto market in what used to be the "red light district"

  • L'Aciugheta

    L'Aciugheta at Hotel Rio
    Castello 4358 - 30122 Venezia Telephone: +39 041 5234810
    Known for its excellent selection of wines as well as the great variety of ciccheti. They also serve pizza and other tempting local specialities.

  • Osteria da Toni

    Osteria da Toni di Zanibellato Matteo
    Dorsoduro 1642. Venezia Telephone: +39 041 5238272
    Restaurant, wine bar and bacari. Take Vaporetto n. 51 - 61 - 2 fermata San Basilio o Zattere / Stop at San Basilio or Zattere orari.

Dining

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

  • Osteria al Diavolo l'Aquasanta

    Sestiere San Polo 561, Venezia Telephone: +39 (04) 12 77 03 07
    One place where the locals (including the gondoliers) eat

  • da Ivo

    Ristorante da Ivo
    San Marco 1809, Calle dei Fuseri, Venezia Telephone: +39 041 5285004
    Just a short walk from Piazza San Marco

  • Locanda Montin

    Antica Locanda Montin
    Dorsoduro 1147, 30125 Venezia Telephone: +39 041 5227151
    Lodging and dining

Map

Check this map for lots more options. Click on the link below the map for a larger version.



View Venice - Cicchetti in a larger map







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Contents © Copyright 2001 Author: Lee Briggs except where noted. All rights reserved.