Things to know about venice Italy before our trip?

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xalynn

Well, here are a few things based on experience:

1) No matter how good a map you have, you will get lost while navigating the streets among the canals. It's fine. Don't panic or anything, just walk on and you'll come to some place recognisable again. It's kinda like magic.

2) See the Doge's Palace. When I stood in the ballroom of the palace, I could nearly see myself back in time when balls and masquerades were often held, and since it's Venice and you would have seen lots of beautiful Venetian masks on sale everywhere, it's not hard to imagine this. It's again, kinda like magic. (I even bought a mask back because it's just so pretty)

3) Visit St Mark's Square and the basilica. Queuing to enter the basilica could go crazy but you can make reservation ahead of time (http://www.alata.it/eng/BOOKING/sanmarco.asp ) which then allows you to skip the queue.

4) For the bird's eye view of the city and its lagoons, go up to the bell tower at St Mark's Square. Just don't go up near the house - the bell ringing can leave you feeling rather deaf and shaken from the loudness.

5) Stand at the centre of the Rialto bridge and watch the world passing by. The pedestrians on the bridge, the gondolas and vaporetto down below on the water.

6) Galleria dell Academia is a must go museum. If you only plan to see one museum this whole trip, this is the place to go! Works by Canaletto, Tintoretto, Titian, Leonardo, Guardi etc are there - this is really one of the best Italian museums I've ever been.

7) Modern art at Peggy Guggenheim if you're interested in this lovely collection that includes the works of Dali, Picasso, Pollock etc.

8) Travel on the canals of Venice. The gondola is expensive (but you can negotiate prior to taking one) but more private. I went for the much cheaper option of going by the vaporetto.

9) I know this is possibly going to be deemed as kitschy touristy thing to do but hey, you're on holiday so why not? Go to Harry's Bar and try the bellini there. It's said to be invented here and you know, it is one of the best that I've tasted.

10) Be prepared for the possibility of rain and high water level. One of the most memorable Venetian experiences that I'd had was walking on the planks set up during acqua alta.

Ps: If you're there during the Carnevale (in 2009 it's in February from 13th to 24th) get into the spirit of things. You'll get lots of costumed people with masks walking around the city, surrounded by all the tourists who want to photograph them (who wouldn't?) and lots of face painters around too - get a half mask painted on your face and you'll feel somehow a part of the Carnevale, even if the part you play is small.

Ps2: I don't know how long you'll be there but if you have time, you can do some island hopping to Burano (famous for lace making) and Murano (famous for glass making).

Stan

The town is fun to walk around with a lot of narrow pathways - even at night. You really can't get lost - if you keep walking you'll eventually get back to your hotel or St. Marks.

It's pretty expensive. I think of the added expense as doing my part from keeping the city from completely sinking into the muck. Although the architecture is elegant, it's being warped (literally) by decay and lot of what you see is being propped up by modern technology. Don't expect to play marbles on your hotel floor because it's probably not level.

A gondola, last time I checked, was about 70 euros for almost a 1/2 hour. An accordion player is extra.

You can get free passage to Murano from St. Mark's if you go to glass shop. Some people say they experienced high pressure sales tactics there, but I didn't.

Be sure you know how you are going to get on and off the island. It can be expensive by water taxi.

Ristorante Alla Madonna by the Rialto Bridge always gets good reviews from travelers.

Things to see in Venice:

. St. Marks Basilica / Square
. Doge's Palace
. Rialto Bridge
. Murano glass manufacturing
. Burano
. Lido
. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
. Ca' Pesaro
. Santa Maria dei Miracoli
. Santa Maria Formosa
. Fondazione Querini Stampalia
. San Giorgio dei Greci
. Santa Maria della Salute
. Accademia
. San Rocco
. Tolentini
. Ponte degli Scalzi

GGB

Well venice is the city of lovers'. In your 20's look for ots of scooters and local restaurants they tend to be the BEST and the least expensive. (Scooters-because this is where the locals eat)) Venice is the town of mascarades -Masks- Make sure you try and find the street people dressed in full ballroom costume and go see a show- I found the island where the Jewish Synagoge is located had a pretty interesting history. Picasso's vaction house is a waste in less you can get a student discount. St marks square has a bunch of cafe.. We ate at a restaurant that was next to where you ride the gondola. It was expensive... But worth it.
Also the murano glass factor is a must and there is a Taxi to the ciprianni hotel. I would suggest taking the water taxi and walk around having lunch is a less costly way to view the 5 star hotel that has a blown glass garden. Also go into the lobby of the famous hotel called the Daneli its not hard to find its pink.. Have fun.. You must take a gondola ride of course vist the churches its a great time..Enjoy

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