What to Do in Venice
Once you arrive in Venice, you will find so many activities that you will
immediately want to extend your stay! Museums, the opera, shopping, and sightseeing
are just the tip of the iceberg in this magnificent city!
Piazza San Marco
Although it seems to attract a denser population of tourists than any other
part of the city, St. Mark's is not to be missed. If you stand in the middle
of the square and make a 350 degree circle, your view will be constantly changing
from one marvel to the next. On the open end of the square you will see the
Basilica di San Marco, the Ducal Palace and the tall bell tower.
The rest of the square has a massive loggia all along the ground
floor and thousands of windows all along the first and second floor. Underneath
the loggia are shops and several bars, including Caffè
Florian, which opened in 1720 and has maintained its original décor.
One of the main quirks of the city is that it often becomes flooded and San
Marco square in particular can only be traversed on wooden planks that
the locals are accustomed to mounting at such times. The streets can become
submerged under several feet of water, but don't be fooled by its clean appearance,
it's the same water that flows through the canals.
Bridges
If
you try getting around Venice without crossing any bridges, you won't get
very far. The best known, are the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. Though
these are fantastic architectural achievements, many of the smaller, lesser-known
bridges are just as fascinating, and in some cases offer picturesque glimpses
of the many small canals that twist and turn their way through the city.
The Islands
A day of island hopping around Venice is a great activity for those who intend
to stay for a few days. The most interesting places to see are Murano, where
most of the glassmakers work, and Burano which is known for lace, and its
colorfully painted houses. Other islands to visit are San Michele, Mazzorbo,
Torcello, and the Lido di Venezia.
Churches
The best-known churches in Venice are the Basilica San Marco, the
Frari, Santa Maria della Salute, San Giorgio Maggiore,
Madonna dell'Orto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
However, if you are walking around and you see a small church with its doors
open, we recommend you take a look inside. Sometimes the lesser known churches
can be just as interesting.
Museums
There are quite a few permanent exhibitions open to the public in Venice,
with the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the International Gallery of Modern
Art, the Museo Correr and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection being among
the most popular. In addition, there are many temporary exhibits throughout
the year.
Theater / Opera
Don't miss out on the numerous performances that take place in Venice throughout
the year. Opera and theater tickets are easy to come by and can be purchased
at reasonable prices. Venice's Opera house, La Fenice recently rose
from the ashes after burning down in January of 1996. Ironically, La Fenice
means "Phoenix" in Italian. Many other theaters are worth visiting
such as the Teatro Malibran and the Teatro alle Tese.
Shopping
Shopaholics beware ... you will be blown away by the shops whose beautifully
decorated windows will draw you in. Even if you don't enjoy shopping, chances
are you may develop a taste for it here. The streets are lined with windows
displaying hand-crafted Venetian glass, masks, puppets, shoes, clothing and
jewelry, to name a few. Most shops feel more like museums and the shopkeepers
are tolerant of walk-throughs.
Walk the streets
You
haven't really experienced Venice until you have wandered around the streets
for hours allowing yourself to get lost and found again. You may find yourself
twisted around and even traversing the same bridges a few times, but I guarantee
you will discover things you would not find in guidebooks. If you wander too
far a local may point and say "San Marco…that way", but just
keep going. With good reason, locals find the tourists rather annoying at
times. It's a bittersweet relationship. Tourism accounts for most of the economy
in Venice, but to the natives, it must feel rather like living in a fish bowl.
Useful phone numbers
Waterbus (Vaporetto) schedule: 041-238-1520.
Train schedules: 041-238-1560
State Railway Information Service: 147-888-088.
Venice railway station welcome and handicapped assistance service: 041-785-570
Airline flight schedules: 041-238-1590
Marco Polo Airport Information Service: 041-260-9260.
Cinemas and Theatre information: 041-238-1600
Water taxi station: 041-522-2303.
Gondola rides: Bacino Orseolo 041-528-9316 or Calle Vallaresso
041-520-5275.
Venetian Tide Information Service: 041-522-8662.
Doge's Palace Information Service: 041-522-4951.
Hotel Information Service: 041-715-016 / 041-715-288.
