You’ve heard about the beautiful city of Venice in nothern Italy, and probably seen photos that feature a few of the city’s most outstanding characteristics such as its canals, the gondolas that sail on them, and the romantic palaces from the Renaissance era that line the banks of the Grand Canal. So now you’re decided to visit, and have started planning! That’s great, rest assured Venice will be one of the highlights of your life and you’ll always have fond memories once you return from your Venice holiday.
It’s small wonder that the 1 500-year-old Venice is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions – more than 15 million tourists visit the city each year. The island city simply is one of the world’s most enduring wonders. Painters, poets and writers have praised the city throught the centuries, with many of them residing in it for at least part of their lives.
The fish-shaped Venice island of about 400sq kilometers is situated in a lagoon about 5 miles off the coast of Italy, and is connected to the mainland via a vehicle and rail bridge. The city itself is made up of 118 ‘islands’ – this being a slight misnomer as it is only the city canals that separate these islands, and there are more than 400 bridges connecting the. So you’ll never feel that you’re on an island.
Venice is a city with a rich history, with almost all the buildings dating from the previous century or before, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking on arrival that it’s one big film set. Even though most of them have been renovated and modernised inside, it gives the whole island an air of mystery, especially when the seasonal mist drifts in over the city.
The best holidays are the most well-planned and balanced ones. When starting to plan your vacation in Venice you need to consider the following:
Getting to Venice: You have a choice of arriving by air at the nearby Marco Polo Airport, or Treviso Airport about 30km away; driving to Venice and parking your car in the (expensive) parking garage at the entrance to the city (no cars are allowed in Venice); arriving on one of the cruise ships that dock in Venice harbour; or arriving by train at the Venice rail station. The city is well-connected with other parts of Italy and is on many international airlines’ schedules, so making a decision how to arrive is easy and straightforward, and will easily slot in with the rest of your italy holiday plans.
Venice accommodation: You can choose between the literally hundreds of hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and apartments for rent all over the city. There are many luxury hotels in Venice such as the Hotel Danieli Venice, and the fabulous award winning Al Ponte Antico Hotel. Midrange and 3 star hotels in Venice also abound, but the real value for money are to be found in the burgeoning number of guest houses that most often feature typical Venitian decor, friendly, personal service, and a good price. A self-contained apartment is a good choice if you’re traveling in a group of four or more, and as these often overlook a quiet canal you’ll be able to see the gondolas glide by. Price vary tremendously even within a certain type and standard of accommodation, being depedent also how close it is located to the main attractions within Venice.
Hotel reservation in Venice is easy these days since you can do it online, but remember to book well in advance as hotels fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Plan your sightseeing: Your decision to visit Venice probably means you’re interested in history, art, culture, and Italian food. Venice is filled to the brim with historical buildings, art galleries, museums, churches and craft shops. There are about twelve or so must-see buildings and museums in the city itself that will take you about three full days to visit. After that you can go on two or three trips to visit the islands around Venice, in particular Murano, known for its world famous art glassware, and Burano, known for its intricate lacework. Even if you stayed for several months you’d still be discovering exquisite sights, but I’d say anyone visiting Venice for less than three days is missing out on the soul of this great city.
Get ready for shopping! Venice packs a bewildering range of shops in a surprisingly small area. Along the tourist streets of Rialto bridge and St Marks Square you’ll find international brand names, while four streets away you’ll see mask making studios, and quaint art shops. Wander around the lesser-known sestiere (areas) of Venice and look out for treasures at second hand and collector’s book shops before stopping off for an ice cream at a sidewalk cafe. While Venice is not a bargain hunter’s dream destination, it’s definitely the place to find unique and beautiful items found nowhere else in the world.
Eating out: You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to eat during your stay in Venice. The city has dozens of top restaurants offering culinary delights unique to Italy in general and Venice in particular. The city has a history as a fishing port and this is reflected in its excellent sea food dishes. But don’t leave without tasting the local gelati (ice cream) which compares with the best in the whole of Italy.
Remember, Venice is an expensive city and unless you have money to burn you need to do early planning and a bit of research to get good value for your money. Try to make your bookings as early as possible – preferably at least 3-6 months in advance. Once you’re there, you’ll be much grateful that you’ve planned your Venice holiday in order to make it the most memorable experience of your life.
