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)

Mazzorbo

This pretty island of cats exudes a tranquil air as locals tend their vineyards or artichoke fields. Wicker cages for fattening up moleche (soft-shelled crabs) hang on racks over the water and the produce can be sampled in the low-key trattorias. Amid the scattering of houses are bold modern council blocks painted in pastel hues. Mazzorbo has its own boat stop but is also joined to Burano by a timber footbridge.
McDonald’s

Burgers and French fries at approachable prices, though the decor is the same the world over.
Mercato d’Oriente

Akin to an exotic museum, this antiques dealer dazzles with Chinese and Japanese marvels, Pre-Columbian pieces and both traditional and contemporary carpets.
Mercerie

The expensive elegance of Venice is most evident on this main thoroughfare linking Rialto and Piazza San Marco. Mercerie means haberdasher’s, although these days it is the realm of the designer fashion outlets who are able to afford the sky-high rents. Just below the ornate Torre dell’ Orologio archway is a sculpted female figure commemorating a housewife who lived here rentfree as a reward for inadvertently knocking a mortar into the street, killing a revolutionary leader and thus halting the short-lived Baiamonte Tiepolo revolt in 1310.
Metropole

Majestic good value establishment, immaculately run. On the water-front only minutes from San Marco, it boasts a wonderful garden, a perfect antidote from the city streets.
Michele Cicogna

Looking for a Blackamoor lampstand, gilded cherub or a dresser adorned with Canaletto-style scenes? This vast showroom akin to a museum is the workshop of a skilled restorer.
Michele Sanmicheli

Original military fortification designs by this Mannerist architect (1484–1559) are to be found on the former Venetian islands of Crete and Cyprus, as well as monumental portals in his home town Verona (see Verona Arena).
Mineral Water

Widely consumed in Italy, either sparkling (con gas ) or still (senza gas ). Tap water is acqua dal rubinetto .
Mistero Atelier

Glorious Oriental emporium with a range of dazzling Thai and Indian silks made up to Italian designs for suits, scarves and ties.
Mitwohnzentrale Venice Alternative Accommodation

Venetian resident Helga Gross is in an excellent position to advise on the 150 fully furnished properties she deals with and will rent you a room or a palace from five nights to up to a year.

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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