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)

Principe

Branches of this women’s fashion store can be found all over Venice. The latest in trendy designs at value prices.
Prosciutto e Melone

The sweetness of wedges of fresh rock melon is contrasted by the slightly salty cured Parma ham.
Prosecco

Excellent naturally sparkling dry white wine from the hills around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
Punta Sabbioni

This locality clings to the promontory extending westward from the mainland – a continuous string of beach resorts equipped with spacious camp sites. Alongside sleepy backwaters and canals is Punta Sabbioni (“big sandy point”) a busy bus-ferry terminal that bustles with summer holiday-makers. It came into being as sand accumulated behind the 1,100-m (3,600-ft) breakwater erected to protect the port mouth and littoral, and offers lovely seaside strolls.
Rats

Rare, thanks to imported Syrian cats in the past, replaced by an effective council eradication campaign.
Red Wine

An ombra means a small glass of house wine, otherwise try quality Cabernet, Valpolicella or Amarone.
Regata Storica

The word regatta originated in Venice so what better place to enjoy the year’s most spectacular event? Ornately decorated boats propelled by costumed oarsmen parade down the Grand Canal bearing passengers dressed as historical dignitaries. A series of furiously contested regattas follows.
Rentavilla

In operation since 1983, US-based Villanet has 29 places to rent in Venice, some large enough for up to seven people. They can also arrange for car and phone rental.
Rhinoceroses

One of the many exotic circus animals portrayed on canvas by 18th-century artist Pietro Longhi.
Rialto Bridge

The design of this most famous Venetian bridge at the narrowest point of the Grand Canal was hotly contested – leading 16th-century architects Michelangelo, Sansovino and Palladio all entered the competition, but lost out to the imposing winning project of 1588–91 by Antonio da Ponte. There were two previous bridges on this site; a timber bridge which collapsed in 1444 under the weight of a crowd, then a drawbridge, raised for the passage of tall-masted sailing ships (see Rialto Market).

Jump to top

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