DK Travel : Venice

The uniquely romantic city of Venice was built entirely on water and has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars. Narrow alleyways and canals pass between sumptuous palaces and magnificent churches, colourful neighbourhood markets and quiet backwaters, unchanged for centuries. Few cities possess such an awesome line-up of sights for visitors.

For guided tours around Venice (see Guided Tours)

Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Dominated by the brick façade of the Gothic church SS Giovanni e Paolo, this breezy square welcomes visitors with a flotilla of outdoor cafés. Worthy of contemplation is one of the world’s most magnificent equestrian statues, a stylized 15th-century portrait of the great condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni. He left a legacy to the city on the condition that his statue be erected in front of San Marco, craftily “interpreted” by the governors as the Scuola Grande di San Marco close at hand. Gracefully decorated with arches and trompe l’oeil panels by the Lombard masters, the former confraternity serves as the public hospital.
Can you drink water from the drinking fountains?

Yes, it’s the same as the tap water and subject to constant testing and treatment. Until 1884, when the supply piped from the mainland was inaugurated with a fountain in Piazza San Marco, the city depended on rainwater which was meticulously drained and collected in cisterns beneath squares equipped with locked covered wells.
Canada

Fairly ordinary but excellently placed, despite the never-ending stairs. A matter of minutes on foot to both Piazza San Marco or Rialto. Several rooms boast canal views, while others have their own roof terrace.
Canal Entrance

Where the family’s private gondolas were moored and visitors were received.
Canaletto (Antonio Canal)

Famous for his landscapes of Venice and England, Canaletto (1697–1768) thrived under the patronage of the British consul Joseph Smith.
Cannaregio District: practical, budget minded, enjoyable place to stay.

Staying at the 3 star (good budget value) Hotel Tre Archi we were away from the very busy tourist parts of Venice and right next to the Cannaregio canal. The area is a wonderful one to stay in for both practical purposes and enjoyment of a unique, atmospheric, city.

On a practical level there are very handy vaporetto (waterbus) stops. The Tre Archi stop is on route 52 and can take you all the way around the city. The Guglie stop can take you to the airport in approximately 45 minutes. The train station is also just over the canal. There are useful shops like the Tabacchi (tobacconists/newsagent) on the Fondamenta Cannaregio (next to the canal). There is also a post office along a side street. The San Marcuola vaparetto stop (to take you to St. Mark's down the Grand Canal) is a short walk away, where the Cannaregio and Grand Canal meet.

The area is interesting and alive, yet not overwhelmed by jostling crowds and hordes of other tourists. You can see how life in Venice works as the boats carrying supermarket stock, building materials, flowers etc. pass by. Just past the Guglie vaporetto stop is the Rio Tera San Leonardo. This is a main street and has a wonderful market with good shopping. There are some great bars where you can stop for coffee in the morning and Spritze in the evening. This is a drink that involves Campari, white wine and soda/fizzy white wine. It can also be served with Grappa instead of Campari. Our favourite was the second bar on the left, as you enter the street from the Cannaregio canal. There are also some wonderful restaurants, especially in the streets off the main drag. Quality of food and service is, obviously, variable but you will always have an authentic experience and we were always charged fair rates in this area of Venice.

The best way to see Venice is on foot or by water, and being in the north of Venice in the district of Cannaregio means you get ample opportunity to do both. The very famous sights, such as the Rialto bridge, are 20-30 minutes walk away. However, the Jewish ghetto is right next to you through some back streets and across a bridge.

If you are willing to have a go and join in, then practice your bonjourno, and stay in the Cannaregio district!
Cantieri Navali

A state-of-the-art research centre on coastal and marine technology now accounts for another vast area of the Arsenale. The 16th–19th-century shipyards, set amid a lush garden, were converted in 1991.
Cantina do Mori

As seen on Three Sheets: Great wine bar with traditional tapas
Cantina Do Mori

Ancient bacaro [ opened in 1462 ] close to the Rialto bridge . Dark little bar , atmospheric with it's wooden beams and copper pots hanging from them . Serves an amazing assortment of mouthwatering cichetti . One Euro per nibble !....washed down with a similarly impressive assortment of wines . Very popular both with locals , workers from the market and tourists , this bar and " Al Timon " in Cannaregio are , for me , the top two bars in Venice . Highly recommended for it' s wine , cichetti and friendly staff . Attempts to speak Italian , as elsewhere in Venice , are appreciated , and , I have found , tend to ensure a better and friendlier service .
Cantina Do Mori

Rows of copper polenta pots hang overhead in this dark, popular bar, billed as the city’s oldest osteria . The affable owners pour wine directly from huge demi-johns and serve delicate postage stamp-sized ham and salad sandwiches (francobolli ).

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €100
- €100-€150
- €150-€250
- €250-€350
- over €350