Venice

The capital of the Veneto, is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Consisting of 118 small islands and over 400 bridges, Venice is located in the saltwater lagoon alongside the Adriatic Sea. From late May to the end of August the weather is very hot with an extremely high level of humidity. Recommended months for visiting are March  June, September and October. Venice’s greatest attraction is the city itself. The city has no major streets, and is made up of six districts; San Marco (highest number of tourists), San Polo, Santa Croce, Dorsoduro (southern most district), Cannaregio and Castello.The many famous sights, attractions and landmarks include: Rialto Area / Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

• Located in the San Polo district  Oldest and most famous bridge in Venice
• Constructed in 1588 and the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal until 1854
• Lined with small shops and tourists

Rialto Market The Erbaria (produce market) and Pescaria (fish market) combine to make up this street market which has been located here since the 11th century Fantastic views of the Grand Canal. Numerous shops and stands selling souvenirs San Marco Area  The Clock Tower marking the entry to San Marco Square points to the main shopping area. Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square)

• the main center of Venice
• Packed with romance, pigeons, music and countless sights
• Filled with tourists day and night
• Popular for peoples watching
• Free, however food/drinks sold nearby are very expensive
• Surrounded by boutiques and sidewalk cafes
• Note that sitting at a café or restaurant in the main square will be very costly

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)

• Most famous church in Venice
• Constructed on October 8, 1094  Strict dress code (no shorts or bare shoulders)
• Most dangerous place in Venice for pickpocketing
• Over 42,900 square feet of Byzantine mosaics  Historic and Religious site; Famous architectural building; Art gallery

Palazzo Ducale

• The most impressive building in Venice
• Offers a great tour

Murano

• One of the three smaller islands outside of the canal
• Located across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square
• Famous for it’s world renowned Murano glass
• An assortment of factories and free 20 minute demonstrations

Gondola Rides

• Highly recommended for romantics
• To experience Venice by nightfall, more relaxing and romantic gondola rides are a must-do. However noticeably more expensive, the extra cost is worth it for this unique view of this majestic city.
• Average cost is between 70 – 85 euro for a 40 minute drift through the city, and an extra 30  40 euro for an onboard musician
• Galleria del’Accademia
• One of Italy’s best art museums

Transportation

The recommended method of transportation into Venice is by train through the Santa Lucia Train Station located at the northwestern edge of the city.

Important Phrases:

Quanto tempo ci vuole a piedi? How long does it take to walk? Quando aperto il mueso? When’s the museum open? Quando aperta la galleria? When’s the gallery open? Quanto dura la gita? How long is the tour? Ho perso il mio gruppo. I’ve lost my group. Puoi consigliare una gita in barca? Can you recommend a boat-trip? Puoi farmi lo sconto? Can you lower the price? Che troppo caro! That’s too expensive! Dove posso comprare un biglietto? Where can I buy a ticket? A che ora parte/arriva la nave? What time does the boat leave/arrive? il traghetto: ferry l’aliscafo: hydrofoil Vaporetto: water buses = Main method of transportation through the canals of Venice and around the lagoon.