When visiting Venice, you’ll either love or hate the city’s most well-known canal landmark, the Rialto Bridge, which has spanned the picturesque Grand Ganal for more than 800 years.

Certainly you’ll love taking a gondola or vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, which provides the best view of the famous and much photographed structure.  Also, you will definitely enjoy the night time view and ambience as you wander up its stairs and linger at the top during an after-dinner stroll. I wonder how many lovers have proposed at this spot, against a backdrop of glimmering lights reflecting in the water, soft Italian music drifting in from the canalside restaurants, and the peace and quiet that makes Venice so unique.

You probably won’t like Rialto Bridge if you attempt crossing it during peak tourist season, especially in the middle of the day. You’ll be bumping into a throng of day visitors interspersed with sidewalk sellers peddling fake brand name fashion accessories. your view from the top of the bridge will probably be restricted by the other few dozen people trying to get a clear view of the canal. And for the shops along the bridge’s edge, well, you can probably find more authentic gifts and souveniers to take home only a few streets away.

In a nutshell, during the tourist season the Rialto Bridge can be a daytime tourist trap. visit during the late afternoon or early morning, or take one or more rides on the Grand Canal where it passes under the Bridge, and it’ll be a memorable experience!

Some interesting facts about Rialto:

• First built in 1182 of wood.
• It was the first bridge across the Grand Canal, and for many years the only one.
• In the early days it had a woeful history: Once burnt down during a revolt in 1310, and twice collapsed, the first time during a boat parade in 1444.
• The present stone structure dates from 1591.
• The winning design by architect Antinio da Ponte beat the design submitted by the much more famous Michelangelo.
• Polish up on your Italian: The Rialto Bridge is Ponte di Rialto in Italian.

Italy certainly is the home of fine ice cream, and that’s no less true in Venice. Look around you in any part of Venice (especially in the more popular tourist areas during summer) and you’ll see at least two or three people licking their multi-coloured ice cream cones of home made gelati – ice cream in Italian.

You don’t have to walk very far anywhere in Venice to find a cafe or kiosk selling a dozen or more flavours, ranging from ones with exotic-sounding Italian names to more familiar ones and, of course, ubiquitous vanilla. But don’t be fooled, even the vanilla is so tasty you’d swear you’ve come across a real vanilla pod inside your ice cream.

What makes the taste so wonderful seems to be something that simply makes the flavours more real and authentic. many ice cream flavours today are synthetic and taste synthetic and lack the creaminess of ‘old-style’ ice cream. One spoonful of Venitian ice cream and you’ll be certain that you’re eating the real thing.

Finding the ‘best’ ice cream in Venice is a matter of debate, and sometimes legend. Some visitors will return home with dreamy eyes and tales of how they found the heaven of ice creams ‘nearby our hotel in a small alley’ but ask for details and few will recall the name or exact place of the outlet. But rest assured, ice cream vendors dot the city and you won’t have to walk very far to find one.

So whether you’re looking for a snack for yourself or something to motivate the kids with to endure yet another museum visit, you can’t go wrong with Venice ice cream.

You’re about to visit Venice for the first time, but how to pick a hotel?

The growth of the social Internet – where communities of participants exchange views and information online – has also seen an increase in the number of website offering travellers the opportunity to rate their experiences. One outcome of this has been an explosion of the number of personal reviews of hotels and other accommodation. I know, because I’ve posted quite a few reviews myself. 

Now, if you look at the ratings of a hotel, you may find fifty, or a hundred and fifty reviews, depending on the popularity and location of the hotel. The reviews will typically range from five star to one star, depending on how good the experience of the reviewer was. The site will then average all the reviews to give an establishment say, three and a half stars, or four, and so on, giving the reader an instant idea of what the standard of the hotel is.

However with so many rated hotels, so many reviews, and a limited time to make a choice, how to you work through these ratings? To complicate things more, a hotel will almost without exception have review ratings that vary from one star to five. How can people stay at the same hotel and have such divergent experiences? I’ve read reviews on the Danieli in Venice, probably THE place to stay, and can’t believe people having nothing good to say about it.

And then, increasingly, there’s the issue of fraudulent reviews. Some hotels are even in a ‘review war’ with their opposition, posting nasty and glowing reviews on respectively their opposition’s and their own hotels. Sneaky, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s simple ignorance. I once told a guest house owner, who was fairly new to the Internet, about a review site, and he promptly Read the rest of this entry

Are you a cat person? Then you’ll love Venice! La Serenissima – the Serene One, as Venice is lovingly called by its huamn inhabitants – is also home to a community of friendly felines. They seem to have taken it upon themselves to perform a kind ‘meet and greet’ service to visitors, particularly those that have a soft spot for the purry kind.

Almost without exception a Venice cat will give up its spot in the sun (at least temporarily) to saunter over to a friendly-looking stranger for a quick rub and chit-chat.Judging by the general demeanor of Venice kitties they’re mostly well-looked after and quite content to be living surrounded by waterways and splashing boats.

'Beware of the cat'

So when you’re passing through Venice, make a point of saying hello to a cat or two. They fancy that!

While Venice most certainly is the city of canals and water, it is also, logically, the city of bridges. There are more than 140 bridges in the Venice, ranging from small, quaint brickwork ones spanning narrow canals to bigger ones where boats can pass under (though sometimes requiring the passengers and driver to duck) and the regal heart of Venice, the Rialto Bridge, probably one of the most photographed icons of all Italy.

Most of these bridges have been in place for centuries. In some cases, including that of the Rialto Bridge, what you’ll see today has replaced original wooden structures. When arriving in Venice visitors tend to stop at each bridge (especially at the top, much to the annoyance of fellow ‘bridge crossers’) to take a look, snap a photograph and marvel at the picturesque scenery. But after a while the bridges become ubiquitous, one hardly notices them while walking around the city, and some residents describe them more as a hindrance than a proud part of the city heritage. I mean, having to heave a grocery bag over bridge steps can only be fun for so long.

Many of the bridges have stories attached to them. Often their names refer to a legend from long ago. The most well-known of these is probably the Ponte dei Sospir – Bridge of Sighs -  which long ago was the crossing point for convicts on their way to jail. On a more positive note there’s also a legend that says that lovers who kiss on the bridge are assured eternal love. When visiting Venice. Make your visit more interesting by seeking out these ‘bridge stories’.

Recently a new bridge has joined the family in Venice. It’s impossible to miss, as it cuts through the air across the Grand Canal near the bus stop in a vivacious curve of steel and glass. Being an architectural anomaly among the renaissance and baroque buildings and decorations around it, the  bridge was bound to draw criticism and sharp comment from all. It doesn’t help, of course, that the Ponte di Calatrava – that’s the name of the bridge – was designed by a Spanish architect named (adding insult to injury) Calatrava. There has also been reports of people sustaining injuries while crossing the bridge  because of the slippery steps.

yet in a practical way it’s made life a lot easier, eliminating long walks and vaporetto rides in order to cross the Grand Canal when coming from, or going to the rail and bus stations.

So make a mental note before your visit to notice the bridges you’re crossing – you’re most probably stepping across a colourful and interesting part of Venice history.

Venice isn’t for everyone. Critics would say it’s overcrowded, dirty, filled with smelly water, and overpriced. All of these are true to some extent or another. On the other hand it’s one of the world’s most unique, romantic, and historically rich cities in the world. So is it the kind of place you’d like to visit or not? Here are some pointers to help you decided whether to put Venice on your next European holiday itenerary.

1. You’re a romantic type. You appreciate beautiful sunsets, a good red wine, poetic places, and being and sharing an experience or place with someone special. Venice is – and has been for centuries – one big lover’s paradise. Start looking forward to that after-dinner evening stroll through the misty, quiet alleys with your loved one. It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget.

2. You’re into art, especially Rennaissance and Baroque painting, architecture and sculpture. you can wander trhrough a dozen art museums and not feel that you’re seeing the same thing over and over. Names like Tintoretto,  and xx ring a bell, and you think that if Michealangelo was alive today, that he should be president. Then Venice will be a heavenly place for you.

3. You’re scared of water, not to talk of creaky boats and dicy-looking bridges. Venice’s vaporettos – water buses – is the standard form of transport if you want to move around much. While perfectly safe, from a distance most of them look one step up from ancient tramp steamers (’vaporetto does indeed mean ’steam boat’). Also, you’ll be intimidated by having to walk on the unprotected side of countless canals filled with rather ominous-looking, murky water. If this is you, rather visit Las Vegas.

4. You dislike cramped accommodation. Unless you’re particularly well-off, chances are you’ll be staying in a hotel room half the size you’re used to in most other parts of the world. Space is at a premium in Venice, and most hotel rooms are smallish, especially the bathrooms. While perfectly adequate, they can feel very claustrophobic especially if you’ll be sharing them with children. Rather settle for an apartment in that case.

5. You’re into photography. If you’re on your way to publishing your first coffee table book or simply want to hone your composition skills, Venice will keep you busy for weeks on end. There are endless opportunities and conditions for taking amazing photographs. Tip: Get yourself out of bed at dawn one morning and take a walk to St. Mark’s Square, before the tourists arrive.

6. The Venice alleyways and labirynthian canals are the most pleasant way to get lost… if you’re that type of person. Venice doesn’t have a street grid, so finding your way and mapping where you are isn’t always the easiest thing to do. The best way to explore Venice is simply to start walking in a certain direction and enjoying the scenery. If that doesn’t appeal to you then a guided tour or sticking to the vaporettos may be the best option.

8. This may be a bit controversial, but if I was a ten-year old in Venice, I’d be bored stiff. There are no malls, no fun rides (unless you count the vaporetto) and no movie houses. During sunny weather you may want to visit the beaches of the Lido, but only if your kids aren’t used to surfer wave coastlines. If they are, they’ll be having a good laugh at the tepid, tiny waves of the Adriatic.

The Piazza (Square) of St Mark is the central point in Venice. It’s on the bank of the Grand Canal and features Venice’s most beautiful and impressive landmarks, from the Campanile (tower) with the winged lion (Venice’s official ‘mascot’) keeping watch to the fifteen-hundred-year-old Basilica and the Doge’s (King) magnificent Palace.

Ask what people remember about St Mark’s and one of the things will be ‘crowds’. The tourist throng in St Mark’s, especially in summer, is something to be reckoned with, especially if you’re not staying for long and have to make the most of your time. Here are a few tips that will make your visit to St Mark’s more enjoyable.

1. Visit St Mark’s in the early morning or late afternoon. You’ll be avoid being pushed and shoved in long lines of people waiting to enter into the buildings on the Square. If you give early enough you’ll catch the Square almost devoid of people, which in itself is a great experience, especially if you’re a photographer.

2. Before you visit the attractions on St Mark Square, you have to hand in any bags you’re carrying at a deposit point below the Clock Tower. You don’t want to fall into a queue at the Campanile only to find that out twenty minutes later.

3. Similar to any other tourist spot in the world, curios and food bought on St Mark’s Square will be much more expensive than those located five minutes’ walk from the Square.

4. An exception to the above tip is coffee at Florian’s, a historic cafe on the Square. IT was visited by many of the painters and writers that visited Venice through the years, and was once considered a hangout of the intellectuals and politicians of the city. Be prepared to pay a premium for the priviledge though…

5. Authorities are encouraging people not to feed the hundreds of pigeons that live on the Square. That’ll be hard to resist if you have children though. Small packets of bird food is on sale, making it even easier.

6. There’s a LOT to see on St Mark’s, and it’ll take you a full day to take everything there is to see in. The most visited ones are the Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum, the Basilica and the Campanile. They’re all worth it, but can become a bit tiring, especially if you’re not that much into culture and art. If you stay long enough you can split your visit over two days.

7. There’s a famous legend about an ill-fatged Doge that landed at St Mark’s Square, and walk ashore between the two pillars only to meet his end some time later. Since then superstitious types consider it bad luck to walk inbetween the pillars. Just so you know.

You’re ambling along one of Venice’s numerous little alleyways one bright, sunny morning. You’re taking in the centuries-old ambience for which Venice is known worldwide: Red geraniums flowing brightly in window flower boxes, neighbours chatting amiably, and the ubiquitous Venice cat lazing on a sunny balcony.

Then you’re sgtopped in you tracks by a flood of water covering the alley from side to side, and lapping at the side doorways. Anxioiusly you enquire around whether Venice has sunk overnight. Will only the rooftops be sticking out by nightfall? You notice that passersby simply acknowledge your concerns with a knowing smile or a comforting laugh.

You also happen to notice that they all seem  to be well prepared for the flood, as most are wearing rather fasionable wellington boots. Also, most doorways have contraptions in front of them preventing water from seeping into hallways.

This flood occurrence is what Venetians refer to as ‘acqua alta’ and it’s a fairly common phenomenon with which everyday life in the city has to cope with. What is it caused by? Well, Venice is located in a large but extremely shallow lagoon, which is subject to sea tides. When the tide rises water sometimes spills over into the alleys and campos, particularly during winter, when high tides are more pronounced than during other times of the year. The overspill varies from a few centimetres to half-a-metre, depending on the place and season.

There are various ways in which Venice copes with acqua alta. Water boots of all shapes and colours are a common sight and you’ll be able to buy a pair at most shoe shops. In many areas, including the main tourist hub on St. Mark’s Square, you’ll notice long, moveable  running boards that people walk along in areas that are under water. And as mentioned, flood prone doorways are protected by metal plates that stop water from seeping in.

The flooding is hardly dangerous, and even times where it has caused serious damage has been few and far between. Most certainly, it’ll rather make yoiur time in Venice more interesting rather than posing any kind of concern. It’s one of the quirks that make traveling to unknown places interesting and unique.
Technorati Tags: venice, flood, lagoon, italy, travel

Gondolas are possibly the most recognisable ‘face’ of Venice, and are associated with romance, style and a touch of the classic Italian way of life. You’ll notice them on the bustling canals of Venice plying their trade,  or  gliding up and down the bustling Grand Canal and along the the quieter side canals.

The origins of the name ‘gondola’ remains an enigma that has tickled the imagination of many a poet and writer. Its history is clsoely interwoven with the development of Venice as a city, and stems from the days when rowing and sail boats were a major form of transport around the island.

The manufacture of a true Venice gondola is an intricate art involving eight different types of wood, almost three hundred individual parts, and special paintwork done by qualified artisans. You’ll recognise them by the golden ‘blade’  capping the prow, and of course the shiny black finishing, which is regulatory. The seating of a gondola can accommodate up to four people (although I’ve seen many more cram into one) and the seating area is a rich decoration of red velvet and gold ornamentation.

The gondoliers vary from ‘true blue’ ones that wear the customary black and white shirt with yellow straw hat, to informal ones that don’t particularly dress up for the job. It’s a good idea to look around before you book your gondola ride for a gondolier that looks like he takes his job seriously. Many of them row (or ‘plug’, as it’s called) very nonchalantly and pass by the vaporetti surprisingly close, causing the gondola to rock to and fro, while all the time maintaining a cell phone conversation and smoking a cigarette! Not the most romantic image, as you can imagine.

While you can customise the length and route of your gondola ride, they generally last about fifty minutes. The cost of a gondola ride is about $80, although this varies considerably according to the time of day and whether it’s peak season or not. Expect to pay extra for things like serenading.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can club together with friends and share a gondola, which makes it considerably cheaper. And if you’re really cash strapped but would still like to get the feel of a gondola, you can settle for a traghetto ride across the Grand Canal. A traghetto is a stripped-down version of a true, full-blown Venice gondola that is commonly used by both tourists and locals to get from one side of the canal to the other, at less than one Euro a ride. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a traditional gondola, it’s still fun, and you’ll have spare cash for dinner and a gelato later on!

I hope the first thing you unpack when you reach Venice will be a map of the city, because believe me, you’re going to need it!

Venice is an ancient city without much discernable structure in its layout and design, since it developed more or less organically and hasn’t changed all that much. It’s made up of seemingly countless alleyways, courtyards, and canals that intersect sometimes at odd angles with lots of cul-de-sacs thrown into the mix. If you intend exploring Venice on foot – and that’s certainly the best way to do it – you’ll need a good map to guide you around the city if you want to avoid getting hopeless lost (getting lost once or twice is fine and adds to the adventure, but after that it gets a bit frustrating…). The other reason for packing a well-designed and informative Venice map before leaving home is that it’ll make your travelling around Venice by Vaporetto (water bus) much easier if yoiu have a map of the different routes at hand, especially as these can be a bit confusing at first.

What to look for in a good Venice map

Does it have a street index? There aren’t many of them, but if you can locate a street map of Venice that also has a street index, that’s an added bonus. The dense streets of Venice making finding a particular street difficult – ask me, I’ve spent ages looking for the street in which my hotel is just after arriving. And it’s not fun doing that at 10pm!

Is it the latest issue? Though the streets in venice won’t change much – if at all – the water bus routes sometimes change, so you need to have a map with up-to-date information on.

Does it identify sightseeing highlights? Having particular museums or monuments that you want to visit on the map makes planning your day trip or sightseeing route much easier. Having them on the map makes locating them so much easier, and could well save you much time and effort.

Don’t skimp, go for a LARGE one. The streets and alleys of venice are incredibly narrow and wind their way around. This means that on many maps the street names are printed extreme small and at weird angles. Walk around Venice early evening and at night and you’ll see countless tourists standing under street lights trying to decipher their maps. This is especially true if you wear glasses or have impaired vision. Rather spend more on a decent size map than skimping and having a hard time trying to read maps.