Venice Travel Guide

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 great new water/theme park. A wonderful selection of attractions such as pools, slides and shows will entertain younger visitors especially for hours on end.

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).

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.

Museum of Natural History

Kids will love the Museum of Natural History, which is home to the skeleton of an Ouranosaurus, which was found in the Sahara Desert by a Venetian palaeontologist in 1973. The museum also features an aquarium where children will be able to view and learn about the marine life living off the Venetian cost.

Naval Museum (Museo Storico Navale)

With a rich and fascinating maritime history, Venice's Naval Museum is a great place for kids to explore. Displaying intricate models and, in many cases, the real life thing, kids will find this museum mesmerizing. Gondola making is also demonstrated.

Murano

The Venetian Island of Murano is a great trip for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy watching the local art of glass-blowing and amaze in the products that are created. And, since glass-blowing is the thing to do here, there are plenty of glassware shops and factories, most of which can be visited free of charge, where visitors can take home souvenirs, or simply enjoy looking around. The Museo Vetrario is another great place to admire glassworks.

Remembrance Park (Parco delle Rimembranze)

One of the nicest parks in Venice, Parco delle Rimembranze is the best suited to kids in Venice. Featuring plenty of play areas for children and a roller-skating rink, this park is a must for a family day out on a sunny day.

Po Delta Natural Park

Visitors to the Po Delta Natural Park can enjoy exploring a day in the great outdoors. Discover the park by bike, boat, canoe, horseback, or on foot. Tours are also available for those who want to discover the more protected areas of the park and avid fisherman can enjoy the fishing lagoons where they can catch bream, bass and grey mullet. There are great bird-watching opportunities here too, so bring the binoculars.