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)- Page
- 1
- 2
-
Venice is different, simply marvelling. And what makes marvellous this italian city? Its channels. The best moments of the italian tour those where you will be able to feel the marine breeze while you admire its palaces, churches, and all that different small world of Venice.
-
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!
-
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 .
-
delightful little restaurant just off the Corso Palladio in Vicenza, down Contra S Gaetano Thiene, not many seats, wonderful varied menu which the owner is quite happy to discuss and explain. Highly recommended.
-
Tiny little wine bar on the Fondamenta dei Ormesini near to the Ghetto . Serves a good selection of wines , by the glass or bottle , as well as a good selection of tasty cichetti . Is a bit off the beaten track and so there are very few tourists present , mainly local venetians . The service is friendly - all the more so if you try and speak a little Italian . The name "Timon " means rudder , and there is one hanging on the wall . I really enjoyed spending time at Al Timon and will definitely return on my next visit . Well worth seeking it out . It is also very close to the Ristorante Anice Stellato , just over the bridge on Fondamenta della Sensa , another venetian delight , again not much visited by tourists .
-
-
has a wonderful enticing position overlooking the Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza but not recommended - am not one to complain easily but service was slow and I sent the main course back twice, by then it was just inedible.
-
You can't go to Venice without sampling a Harry's Bar Belini - perfect after a hard days walking/exploring and of course shopping!
-
The Saturnia is an historical 4 star property operating since 1908, with a great central location, just 5 minuts walk from St. Mark's but also close to any other main monument of Venice, like the Rialto bridge, the Accademia art gallery. The official website offers lots of information and up-to-date discounts and special offers.
-
A three star hotel right next to the Cannaregio canal and very near to all transport options for connecting to the airport. We got a good rate, booking through Hotel Connect's website. There is no lift, so if you have mobility problems then it would be important to specify that you would like to be on the ground floor.
Advertisement
-
-
lg6789's Las Vegas guide
lg6789
-
Dosdoce's Dublin guide
Dosdoc
-
Paris guide
sherlo
-
-
-
Lucy Tagg's Sicily guide
Lucy T
-
Juliewaldman's Boston guide
Juliew
-
Paris
pengui
-
Tuscany guide
lchuff
-
-
International Festival of Contemporary MusicPart of the Venice Biennale since 1930, the Contemporary Music Festival presents concerts in the Piccolo Teatro Arsenale, Teatro La Fenice and Teatro Malibran. Read more
-
Venice MarathonThe Venice marathon starts in Stra, a few kilometres east of Padova, then runs through the small towns of the Brenta Riviera, past the Venetian bridges and villas to arrive at the unique finishing... Read more
-
Feast of Good HealthThe Feast of Good Health, Festa della Salute, is celebrated every year as thousands of Venetians take a boat pilgrimage to the majestic Chiesa della Salute church to pay tribute to the... Read more
-
The Festival of La SaluteThe Festival of La Salute is one of Venice's most important religious festivals. Like the Feast of the Redeemer in July, it commemorates the end of a plague - this one in 1630. Out of gratitude for... Read more
![[+]](/images/button-addtoguide.gif)
symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
