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Venice City Center Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos
Have you been to Venice, Italy?
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March 09, 2010
Have you been to Venice, Italy?
Write a review and share photos!
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Drizzle. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Mostly cloudy. Cool, Windy. Temperature of 40.82°F. Winds ENE 26.53mph. Humidity will be 50% with a dewpoint of 23° and feels-like temperature of 30.18°F.
Hi: 41° F, Low: 34° F.
Rain. There is a 90% chance of precipitation. Cloudy. Cold, Windy. Temperature of 35.62°F. Winds NE 24.89mph. Humidity will be 80% with a dewpoint of 30° and feels-like temperature of 24.13°F.
Hi: 36° F, Low: 33° F.
A year ago, my companion Powell complained that our Tuscany bike adventure had offered insufficient wine-drinking opportunities. The Veneto, Italy's third-largest wine producing region and the home of prosecco, promised to serve as a perfect antidote to Powell's dry mouth. A captivating newspaper article describing "miles of canal-lined stradines (small roads) through ancient villages and along gentle rolling hillsides" assuaged his fear of ascending Tuscany-like hills and our friend Luke's misguided concern that we'd be returning to Venice (not that there would be anything wrong with that). I amassed a wealth of information, including free itineraries downloadable from the websites of bike tour companies, to draft an ambitious itinerary that would enable us to bike the most scenic routes and visit the most attractive towns. And when we embarked on the most spectacular leg of the trip—the 28-mile Strada del Vino e Prosecco between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano—everyone’s expectations were surpassed. The ride offered spectacular views of the countryside and numerous roadside cantinas offering free tastings of prosecco. As we descended a steep road with no cars, the weather suddenly changed. Ferocious gusts of wind shook our bikes and wrathful clouds unleashed a torrent of hail. We found cover beneath the overhang of a roadside shed until a 91-year-old man stricken by an ailing leg invited us inside. That evening in Conegliano, we ate the best-value dinner of the trip: enormous bowls of pasta for 5 euros cooked up by the owner of our B & B.
Venice is the romance capital of the world, Paris has nothing on this wonderful city. Deny it if you will, and there will be some that will, but Venice IS the romance capital of the world. It encapsulates all that is romantic and provides it in one neat package. Yes there are other cities that have charm, but there are none like Venice. Imagine a world without cars, streets for pedestrians only. Imagine countless bridges and architecture that generates charm beyond belief, a romantic feel that no other city in the world can match. Imagine walking there with your partner, spouse or lover. Then you will see what I see, you will feel what I feel Twice I have been to this beautiful city, twice I have walked the streets under clear blue skies, the sun shining. Both of my visits have been during the winter so I have not encountered the crush of tourists, the smell of the canals or the overwhelming numbers of pigeons. I have encountered only the very best Venice has to offer. Walking the streets of Venice is easy and regardless of where you are, it is beautiful, it is romantic. Despite walking for a full day, it was only at the end of the day, when laying in bed that my feet told me I had walked too far that day. I didn’t care, and would do it again the next day. So much to see, so many experiences to have. Gelati by the wonderful canals, a Gondola ride and just walking the streets soaking up the atmosphere My finest memory of Venice is sitting by the Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal with a bottle of wine. I will forever remember that moment, that feeling, the romance and the love I felt towards my wife and I smile. Leaving Venice was hard, but I will forever have that moment.
If I could go back to Venice tomorrow, I would. The city had a charm and atmosphere about it that I have not found in any other city so far. I spent two days exploring the city on foot during the annual Carnivale festival, gawking at the amazing costumes, watching great street performers, and constantly seeing the intricate and funny masks nearly everyone was sporting. (And of course, picking one out for myself!) Though crowds were abundant and our rainy weather wasn't ideal, I made memories I will never forget. The shopping is great; make sure to check out the costume and mask shops, as they are absolutely incredible and unlike anything you can find in the U.S. Make sure to walk through the many churches and cathedrals, as they are beautiful as well. Enjoy the beauty of Venice, and though I didn't get to take a gondola ride, I think I will next time!
The first time I went to Venice, all I saw were pigeons. They were everywhere and seemed to have a bit of an attitude problem. As if we are obligated to feed them and be amazed that a million pigeons live in St. Marks Square? Venice is a classic tourist city in Italy and we all know what that means. Thankfully there's more to Venice than tourist traps and pest problems...I travel to Venice for the Biennale art show. It is my escape to another world when mazing my way through the streets, across bridges and hopping on water taxis to find the various exhibitions. You get to experience fine art, real culture and the city's most secret spots all in one shot. It's like an art maze extravaganza and I love it. I'm anxiously awaiting for the next show this year that starts June 7th!
There we were, fresh off the plane, seriously sleep deprived, wide eyed, slack jawed and doing a 360° in St. Marks Square when we were approached by a handsome Italian man. In charmingly broken English he offered to drive us to the Isle of Murano at no charge to see a glass blowing demonstration. The next thing we knew, we were speeding along in a private boat with a strange man in a foreign country. We exchanged glances, mutely asking each other “are we being kidnapped?”. But no, we were soon deposited safely in Murano without incident. Following the demonstration we were ushered upstairs to shop. The glass was exquisite and unfortunately the prices matched. However, downstairs in the bargain shop, I found a small hand blown glass bird. Happy with my new treasure encased in yards of bubble wrap we hopped a water bus to Venice and a nap.
Venice is a top contender for the most beautiful built environment in the world. The Byzantine architecture and meandering paths are simply breath-taking. I went in the winter, so the crowds and smell were negligible. Everywhere you look is a picture post card. It is important to note that there aren't accommodations for people in wheelchairs; the only mode of transport outside of water craft is walking--and there are a lot of steps and no ramps. The people are friendly, though asking for directions can be a bit of a hassle, as it seems the roads are confusing even to the locals. You will get lost, a lot. Eventually you get your bearings and learn to head for the Grand Canal and from there, you can find your way around. To save a bit of cash, hop on a water bus (Venice's public transportation) instead of a gondola. You'll see much more of the city and still be able to afford a delicious bottle of wine. The unique and fragile beauty of Venice is something everyone should experience. Elegant, sophisticated, full of old world charm--Venice is for lovers.
Venice is as gorgeous and romantic as you imagined: The gondolas, the birds, the ornate architecture, all that water and knowing that some day, it will all be gone. But heed this advice: If you don't bring an umbrella and some sort of water-resistant shoe, you'll be in for a world of hurt if it rains. I learned this the hard way, meandering around through puddles (no, more like lakes) with pruney, ice cubes for feet. It can zap the romance right out of the experience. Additionally, come to terms early on that you will get lost. No big deal. You 'll find you way back eventually, and if you get out of the main tourist area, you'll find quaint restaurants serving amazing food (at a fraction of the cost).
I've been to Venice Beach in Los Angeles, and trust me it's nothing like the real Venice in Italy. There's no muscle bound jocks bench pressing 400 lbs while drinking protein shakes and getting tanner than leather. However, in the REAL VENICE, there is history, culture, romance, and birds… Lots and Lots of birds. The first thing I noticed about Venice was "Wow, so this is where all those movies have been filmed." Venice is exactly the place I imagined Italy to be. Gondola rides. Pristine cathedrals with priceless artwork. Delicious wine. Pigeons everywhere! But seriously, the pigeons were my highlight. After a couple of hours of walking (no cars, only boats and walking) we arrived at The Piazza San Marco, where pigeons come to party. Seriously. It's like every pigeon in a twenty mile radius got the same memo that said spend all day in this one location. And these pigeons are incredibly friendly. Check out several of the pictures of a particularly brave one (I named him Patton) who found my shoulder to be a comfortable perch. So to sum it up. Come to Venice for the culture and history, stay for the pigeons.
There's one that you notice first about Venice. And, no, it's not the canals or the gondoliers. It's the way the canals smell. Foul. Even when we went during the spring, the fetid stench still managed to reach our noses and assault more than just that sense. I also lost my appetite, but that could have been where we ate. It was hard to tell. Summer is the full season for malodorous air to take bloom. Supposedly, it's gage-worthy once June and July sets in. But, we were lucky; we caught it early. Lucky us. Yet, St. Peters Square is beautiful, and the pigeon feeding is quite comical to watch, especially when they sit on the head of person feeding them. And, you will leave the Doge's Palace with a neck ache from looking at all the murals on the ceiling. Yet, you may want to wait until early evening to traverse the city. The heat turns down and so does the worst of the smell. They say Venice is sinking. Well, that may be the case, but, right now, Venice is quite stinking. Lavender under the nose anyone?
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