The Grand Canal (Canalazzo) Venice's main waterway splits the city in half with sestieri in equal parts to the west and east of it. It is the hub around which much activity in Venice is concentrated and is encircled with elegant facades of the palazzi, which testify to the city's past opulence. The best way to explore the architectural splendor of these Renaissance buildings is on board a vaporetta. Pedestrian access across the canal is only provided along three bridges situated at the station, Rialto and Academia. Gondolas cross the canal at regular intervals and provide a romantic
interlude to the sightseeing itinerary. The Grand Canal palaces and buildings to look out for include the Ca da Mosto, with its rounded arches in low relief. The 'House of Gold' (Ca d'Ora) is a beautiful Gothic building constructed between 1424 and 1430. Palazzo Corner-Spinelli and Palazzo Vendramin Calergi combine classical and Byzantine elements designed by Mauro Codussi. Architect Jacopo Sansovino was inspired by Codussi's style and infused this in his creation of the Palazzo Corner (Ca Granda). Another notable Palazzo is the Grimani di San Luca, designed by Michele Sanmicheli.
St Mark's Square St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) has always been the nucleus of Venice. The first citadel and church were erected on its stony foundations, the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Marco respectively. The Basilica di San Marco is a unique juxtaposition of Byzantine, western European and Islamic architectural styles. The Basilica's most precious relic is the Pala d'Or, a Venetian-Byzantine gold relief adorned with precious gems. Travelers and pigeons flock to the Piazza with equal zeal. It is the tourists however who pay dearly to eat or drink at the elegant cafes that spill onto the pavements. Designer shops line the streets that radiate from the square. There are worthwhile places of interest to explore beyond the square that include the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the Museo del Risorgimento, which are housed within the Procuratie Nuova. Attached to the Procuratie Vecchie is the triumphal Torre dell'Orologio. The adjoining archway guides one through to the Mercerie, Venice's main commercial street that stretches to the Rialto.
Rialto The Rialto has long been the commercial core of Venice and is famed as the place where the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built. The original wooden bridge collapsed under the strain of the crowds gathered here to admire a wedding procession. It was replaced by the sturdier single stone arch design of Antonio da Ponte, built in 1588. Today the area still resembles the bustling fruit and vegetable market of former times but is additionally swamped with tourists and the accoutrements geared towards them.
Basilica dei Frari This great Gothic Franciscan church was constructed in the 14th century and is primarily known as the burial place of Titian and the Venetian sculptor, Antonio Canova. Titian's tomb in the south aisle watches over large marble pyramid created for Canova. The interior of the church is adorned with the works of famous artists. These include Donatello's St John the Baptist, Giovanni Bellini's triptych of the Madonna and Saints, Titian's famous Assumption of the Virgin and his Madonna of Case Pesaro. Address: San Polo 3003 Phone Number: (041) 222 637 Website: www.basilicadeifrari.it Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Closed to visitors during services Admission: EUR2.50
School of St Roch (Scuola di San Rocco) A Scuola in Venice was a mixture of guild and religious fraternity where members paid annual fees to support fellow members and to decorate the school's premises. The School of St Roch is known for the canvasses of Jacopo Tintoretto that adorn its interior. Tintoretto was commissioned to decorate the School in 1564 and dedicated 23 years to this task. The paintings are arranged in chronological order that can be followed by beginning on the second floor in the Sala dell'Albergo. Notable amongst his works are the scenes from the Life of the Virgin and the Crucifixion. Address: Campo San Rocco, San Polo 3054 Phone Number: (041) 523 4864 Website: www.scuolagrandesanrocco.it Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm (3 November to 27 March) and 9am to 5.30pm (28 March to 2 November) Admission: EUR7
Academia The Gallerie dell'Academia houses one of Europe's finest art collections. Its display follows the progression of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries. Notable works in the gallery include Paolo Veneziano's Coronation of Mary, Carpaccio's Crucifixion and Apotheosis, Giovanni Bellini's Madonna with Child between Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalen, Giorgione's Tempest, Lorenzo Lotto's Portrait of a Young Gentleman in His Studio, Paolo Veronese's Feast in the House of Levi, and Tintoretto's Theft of St Mark's Body and Crucifixion. Address: Dorsoduro 1055 Phone Number: (041) 522 2247 or (041) 520 0345 Website: http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/accademia/index.html Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 6.50pm. Closed Monday, New Year's Day, May 1st, Christmas Day Admission: EUR6.50
Peggy Guggenheim Collection The Guggenheim collection is housed in the former Palazzo of the wealthy American heiress and has become one of the most illustrious collections of Modern Art in Italy. It spans the artistic movements of Cubism, European Abstraction and Surrealism with notable works by Brancusi, Marino Marini, Kandinsky, Picasso, Magritte, Rothko, Max Ernst, Dali and Jackson Pollock. Peggy Guggenheim built up her collection between 1938 and 1947 and bought the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in 1948 where she lived until her death in 1979. Address: Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, 701 Dorsoduro Phone Number: (041) 240 5411 Email Address: info@guggenheim-venice.it Website: www.guggenheim-venice.it Transport: Ferry boat to Academia stop Hours: Daily except Tuesdays 10am to 6pm Admission: EUR10; concessions available
Verona Just two hours west of Venice is Verona, the famous historical city where Shakespeare placed his star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Located in the center of the city is the house which inspired the residence of the Capulet family, dating back to the 13th century. Other highlights include several beautifully preserved Roman structures and examples of architecture, ranging from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century. The city is also a good place for shopping and browsing. Transport: Verona is comparatively small and you can reach most places on foot. If you decide to visit the lake or the surrounding areas of Verona you will need to use public transportation, or rent a car.
Lido di Venetia The Lido di Venetia looks out on to the Adriatic. The area's best beaches can be found here and a day spent relaxing on the sand is well worth the trip. Lido has various restaurants, cafés, shops and bars to keep everyone happy.
Aqualandia On the Lido de Jesolo is Aqualandia, a water-theme park. The standard attractions of pools, slides and shows will entertain younger visitors. Address: Via Buonarroti 15, Lido de Jesolo Phone Number: (042) 137 1648 Hours: May to September.
Padua (Padova) Once second only to Rome in terms of wealth, Padua is a gorgeous city. The fabulous architecture of the old town, dating back as far as 1000AD, is a magnificent backdrop for the wealth of culture the city contains. The main attraction is the cathedral dedicated to St Anthony. The high altar is decorated with bronzes by Donnatello, who was also responsible for the proud equestrian statue of General Erasmo da Narni (il Gattamelata) that stands in the Piazza del Santo. Padua is situated just 35km west of Venice.
Bell Tower (Campanile di San Marco) Originally built in the 9th century, this 318-foot (97-meter) bell tower is the highest structure in Venice and offers visitors breathtaking views of the cupolas of St. Mark's, the lagoon, its neighboring islands and the red rooftops and church domes of Venice. When the air is clear, one can even spot a snow-capped peak of the distant Dolomite Mountains but, strangely enough, not one canal can be seen from this bell tower. The tower collapsed unexpectedly in 1902 and was rebuilt exactly as before, even rescuing one of the five historical bells that are still in use today (each bell was rung for a different purpose, such as war, the death of a doge, religious holidays, etc). Address: San Marco, Piazza San Marco Phone Number: 041 522 4064 Hours: April to June from 9:30am - 5pm; July to September from 9am - 9pm Admission: Adults: EUR6
Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) Entering the Piazza San Marco, the clock tower is one of the first things to be seen, towering above the Procuratie Vecchie (the ancient administration buildings for the republic). Built in 1496, the clock mechanism of that same period still keeps perfect time. The two bronze figures, known as 'Moors' because of their dark color, pivot to strike the hour. Address: San Marco, Piazza San Marco Hours: Daily from 9am - 3:30pm Admission: Adults: EUR12
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