Hi,I am thinking of taking my wife to Venice to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary as a suprise.?

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Tobias

Well you do seem to have a plethora of answers to choose from, but I thought I'd add my ten penneth!

I've been to Venice on and off for the last 12 years and more and more frequently lately. My parents have just bought an apartment in San Stei in Venice as they've beengoing 3/4 times a year for the last 25 yrs.

Firstly with regard to tourist sights, it really does depend on how long you're going for. If its just a weekend, then I would suggest that you sample bits from each area. i.e. balance the the things to see in the touristy areas with other areas. So if you go to the Doge's Palace which overlooks San Marco, also go to The Friary; if you go to the Rialto, go to the Tintoretto exhibition.
You won't have much choice with the Rialto because if you're getting around then you're very likely to need to cross it.
Another thing to see which isn't very high on the tourist is the Fish & Vegetable Market (be there in the morning) - Venetians do all there shopping there, the vegetables are mainly grown locally on a nearby island, and the colours are fantastic.
Obivously there are things like the Campanile and the Bridge of Sighs, but if you get a good guide book these will all be listed along with the lesser known things to see.

San Marco, as mentioned above many times is expensive, in fact the basic rule in Venice is, the closer you are to San Marco the more expensive it is! But its worth seeing of course.

Just off San Marco is Harry's Bar, which was opened by Guiseppe Cipriani and Harry Pickering in 1931. It is very famous having had patrons such as many famous writers, artists, models, and the stars of stage and screen. Be warned a G&T will cost upwards of 10 Euros. Opposite Harry's is the Monaco & Grand Canal (hotel). Similar prices her, but sitting outside on a sunny day overlooking the lagoon seeing guests arrive by water taxi and just taking in the atmosphere is superb. A nice little treat.

Restaurant wise you are very spoilt for choice and don't contrary to popular belief have to spend a fortune. For example, the prices in the Trattoria alla Madonna (very famous) have not changed for about 10 yrs. Try the squid cooked in its own ink - v good! Also note the staff - the oldest guy there runs the whole show. He keeps tabs of everything going on and is a human calculator - he is so experienced he beats the till.
If you want modern try "Muro" not far from the fish market. It is set on a lovely square at the bottom of the Rialto. Excellent cuisine but very lively. Whoever said Venice has no nightlife is wrong!
For a fantastic secret find (which we all love) try "Vivaldi" not far from Campo San Polo. Run by a lovely guy called Pino, there food is mind-blowing (and in my opinion possible the best in Venice).
Another fantastic restaurant is "Osteria Do Mori", again not far from the fish market. At lunchtime (or a bit earlier!) take in a selection of superb nibbles and a glass of Prosecco. Bear in mind that it is a tiny little place and you may end up standing, but to be honest if you're in Venice, time is of the essence, so knock that drink back and move on!
Fiaschetteria Toscana Restaurant - possibly the best fish restaurant in Venice.
There are many more, and I could go on, but a book will give you all that and you need to make some of your own choices, so you can discover you're own special little places!

Ok Prices! What you spend depends on how much you want to spend. Drinks range dramatically, but your atypical bar depending where you are, isn't going to cost a huge amount for a couple of drinks and can be comparable if not less than the UK (and those of you who disagree have probably only been on a day trip or v short break and think that Venice is San Marco and vice versa). The same goes for food, and you can if you want at lunch-time to pack in more grab a slice of pizza or freshly made olive bread and eat on the hoof! There are many options.

Gondola rides - the rule of thumb is a euro per minute.
Something to consider is the transfer when you arrive at the airport. You have a number of choices, by road to the station and then walk or water bus, vaporetto (water bus) or the best and most expensive, the water taxi. It costs about 90 euros, but coming into Venice for the first time at night is beautiful.

Either way, I hope the above helps. Final advice - don't stick to the tourist traps, get a map, go out and get lost in what is the world's most beautiful and romantic city!

conley39

These are some of my favorite restaurants in Venice, but there are a lot of others that you can find by wandering around:

Da Raffaele.

http://www.ristorantedaraffaele.com/photogallery-eng.htm

Phone 041 5232317
Fax 041 5229413

The crema di scampi soup is usually pretty good. Part of the charm of this place is sitting at one of the outdoor tables and watching the gondolas pass by. It's also a scenic spot. There were paintings of this restaurant and canal in a gallery in Newport Beach the last time I was there.

Bistrot du Venise

Take the exit from Piazza San Marco next to Quadri and follow the street in the direction of Rialto. The restaurant is on the right just after crossing a canal. This place specializes in recipes from the 14th and 15th centuries.

La Zucca (Santa Croce area of Venice)

http://www.lazucca.it/

The pumpkin soup with ginger and the pastas are particularly good here.

Pay attention to prices listed per etti / etto. That will be the price per 100 grams (about 3 oz). In Venice, this often applies to the fish, especially the sea bass (branzino). A single fish for lunch can cost $100 if youâ€™re not careful (but at least it will be very good).

If you sit out at one of the cafes in Piazza San Marco, the price of a coffee or anything else can vary considerably. First, when you sit down, youâ€™re paying for table service and a coperto (cover charge for the linen, plates, and utensils). If the musical combo is playing, thereâ€™s also a charge for that. You shouldnâ€™t let that stop you from enjoying a break, just donâ€™t be surprised by the additional costs.

As for bars, Harry's Bar is one of the most famous. It's overpriced, but a lot of people do visit. There are some good places with live jazz between the Rialto Bridge and the station.

AussieGent

Terrific idea. Lonely Planet guidebooks are always very informative.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/italy
Have fun.

Clueless

Wow! Happy anniversary

hip lady wants YA fixed

i don't have a clue but just wanted to say that i wish i could be in your wifes shoes.

AraÏ‚ Sailor

WOW!! YOU WILL HAVE SO MUCH FUN! YOUR WIFE WILL BE BLOWN AWAY!!

Crafty Max

Wonderful ! We went there for our 40th anniversary . Stayed on the Lido in a small hotel along the canal so had a wonderful view of Venice across the water. We got a taxi boat pass for 3 days so could jump on and off as often as we liked. We also ate in the restaurants on the Lido which were no quite so expensive . Still lovely Italian food and plenty of it . Happy Anniversary you will have a wonderful time in Venice I'm sure .

dlil

Grab the Rick Steves Italy - it's excellent! Hotels will be expensive, no getting around it. Find your restaurants while you're out wandering for the day - menu's are posted and that will give an idea about prices also.

After dark, grab a bottle of wine and some plastic cups and flow with the group in San Marco P as the dueling musicians play in turn. This saves you an outragous table charge (about 10euro), overpriced glasses of wine and helps you ignore the dampness. Besides after a couple songs, the muscians where you sit will go silent and you'll have to strain for the sounds of the muscians at the bar across the P. Figure about 40 euro for dinners minimally. Offset this by picking up bread, fruit & cheese to nibble on benches as your lunch.

Murano is interesting - even for men.

Most of all - walk! You will get lost over and over but that is how you truly learn this unique city.

turniptop

Happy Anniversary, Enjoy Venice, avoid cafes in St Marks square with musicians,they add 15 euros pp to the bill for the music

collingbournekingston

Try the virtual tourist website which has lots of info on Venice including reviews of restaurants and everything you could want to know.

Have a brilliant time!

I am Italian, I was been in Venice twice and I think that it is one of the most beautiful cities you can visit in my country (especially with your husband).
It is very romantic and particular, I am sure you'll enjoy a lot.
As you wrote there are several things to see, and surely a lot of places where you can sleep and eat.
For the prices I can say that around the centre of the city everything is quite cheap, especially around piazza san marco (you can have a surprise when you'll have to pay a simple coffe!!!) but you can avoid any problem looking on the price list posted out of the bars (it gives you an idea).
You can find good opportunity for sleep also by the web (gogglesearch permits to see all the hotel of the city and to go directly to thier website link for a contact!almost all speaks english so you can write first and then call if interested).
The prices of the museum are quite ok, and a lot of buildings to see are free.
The clothes are expensive, especially in the boutiques (several in venice).
For the restaurants I can say that almost all are good (for the quality of the food), but the prices can change a lot from a restaurant to another... it depends by the type of restaurant (it is as for the hotel... if you go in a 5 star you'll pay the double of how you can pay in 3 star, which is anyway good for the service).
I can suggest to avoid the central restaurant, where the atmosphere is really great, but where the food quality is not too different from a periferical restaurant.
I am sorry for my bad english, but I hope that what I wrote can help you anyway!!!
PS. considering the weather remember that venice is very wet, and that if possible it is better to go ther in periods without rain.

spj

What a nice surprise for your wife!
Well, unfortunately since the EURO took over pretty much everything is expensive in Italy, and we're talking about Venice here, a beautiful, unique and romantic place...but be prepare.Prices could be as much as in big cities downtown like Chicago, New York....
As far far as food and wine you'll be able to find a lots of fish specialties, beside regular pasta, meet, vegetables, pizzas... For a simple and NOT too expensive lunch/snack ask for places like OSTERIE or ENOTECHE DEGLI STUZZICHINI where you can find a whole bunch of different types of tramezzini. Mostly of these places aren't far from the Rialto Market and that also guarantee quality and freshness of fish especially; try DO SPADE, ANTICO DOLO, DO MORI, DA PINTO. Also note that in mostly of restaurants you can find a price list up front or right outside!
Another place will be CAMPO SANTA MARGHERITA, a little walk from from PIAZZALE ROMA, a well known place for PUBS, PASTICCERIE, GELATERIE and PIZZERIE. Because is nearby the Universities,is also consider the "artistic" side of Venice where you might meet/see actors, movie makers, designers...
And of course you can find the fanciest and expensive restaurants/osterie and enoteche in San Marco square like IL VOLTO or I DO MORI.
And if you're going to Venice in February make sure you won't miss the famous CARNEVALE: it's awesome!
Hopefully I was able to help you some....have fun!

Scott D

God Bless You!

My wife would LOVE that.

Genius Cook

Drinks at the bar counter often cost 2 to 3 times less than sitting and being served.
Here are two places I like:
1) Taverna San Trovaso - colse to the Accademia. Good prices, good wine list. Prices moderate. Sea food very good and fresh (due to the high turn over). Traditional Venetian fare. They even make a very good pizza (crust on the thick side) and calzoni. Ask for the house bubbly prosecco.
2. Da Aciugheta - not too far from S. Mark's. Good home made pastas, very good local wine list and a pretty laid back place. Out door seating for the better months.

Tarra

venice is the right place for a trip with your wife..you must go to "canal grande","san marco" and"palazzo del doge".. prices are quite expensive.. about 1 or 2 $ just for a coffe.. hotels cost a lot..obviously it depends from the quality of the hotel.. the best is 4star ranking

Barry auh2o

Ist step. Get thee to a bookstore and buy "Italy for Dummies".....and don't let her see it.

murphywingedspur

Have a look at www.tripadvisor.co.uk

*Ms. V.B *

Hello..Iam sorry I dont know anything about bars or drinks things like that..although I do know someone whom stays 40 min. away from Venice I could ask him. I just wanted to Wish you the best for you and your wife have a wonderful time and a safe flight. Oh and Congrats on your 30th anniversary!!!

~jenz~

Wow, I wish more husbands were like you. That is going to be really romanticâ™¥. Happy anniversary... We will be spending our 4th with a new baby on the 10th. :-)

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