There is a prevalent saying in this unique city on the coast of Italy, that states "See Venice and die." While I would rather not die, I understand the sentiment after just one trip floating up the Grand Canal. A perfect place for romance, art, culture, and great food, Venice is also a destination for lovers of design. Check out our Design Destination Guide for the picturesque city of Venice.
See:
• Take a trip up the Grand Canal in either a Gondola (pictured above) driven by a traditionally-dressed gondolier, or in the much less expensive (with the same beautiful view) Vaporetto #1 or water bus. Have your camera ready!
• Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica): This sprawling basilica was built in the ninth century in order to house the stolen body of St. Mark the evangelist, and is an unbelievable architectural sight.
• Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square): Dance your way through this square, located directly outside of the Basilica di San Marco. Bustling with Venetian locals and tourists, the square offers many opportunities for a true Italian snack. Grab a seat and listen to street musicians, watch the pigeons (but don't feed them, it's illegal) and admire the Basilica's grandeur over espresso.
Tour:
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Arguably one of the most important 20th century collections of artwork in Italy, the Peggy Guggenheim collection is a sight to behold. View Guggenheim's private collection in her former residence, the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, located on the Grand Canal. Marvel at works by Picasso, Dali, Pollock and Rothko.
• Gallerie dell'Accademia: This legendary collection of Venetian art is located just a quick walk away from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The museum comprises three old churches, and primarily focuses on artwork created between the 14th and 18th centuries. Advice: join one of the guided tours or get an audio guide. There are English-translation cards of the art synopses, but they are easily lost or carried off by a distracted patron.
• Pauly & C. Glass Factory: Known for its glasswork, Murano has many glasswork factories where one can witness the masters at work. The larger factories (such as the Pauly & C.) offer tours and unique remnants straight from the source.
Shop:
• Mercerie: A trio of interconnected streets between the Piazza San Marco and Ponte di Rialto is the shopping "district" of Mercerie. If you've got a pretty penny to spend, you can make your way over to the high-end, designer shops of Cartier, Gucci and Versace.
• Cartè, (Calle di Cristi 1731 San Polo): If you're a paper nut, definitely make sure not to miss this gem of Venice. With handbound portfolios in traditional Italian and marbled papers, this shop is a crafter's dream.
• Laura Crovato (Calle della Bottegha, San Marco 2995): A second-hand shop for the designer brand lover, Laura Crovato offers high-end labels at low prices.
Eat:
• Pizzeria Accademia (Rio Terra Foscarini 878): A perfect way to start off your Venetian vacation is the Pizzeria Accademia (pictured above), inexpensive and delicious. Relax by the Grand Canal, eat an authentic Italian pizza and drink 1/2 liter of house wine.
• Centrale Restaurant Lounge: For a more intimate evening, give the Centrale Restaurant Lounge a try. Frequented by celebrities and jet-setters alike, Centrale boasts a chic menu and seductive ambiance.
• Trattoria Alla Rivetta (Ponte San Provolo, Castello 4625): A favorite of locals, this warm and inviting corner restaurant offers perfectly prepared Italian dishes and a happy atmosphere.
Stay:
• Pensione Accademia: Located directly across from the Accademia museum, the Pensione Accademia is elegant, sophisticated and air-conditioned (a big plus during those hot summer months). With only twenty-seven rooms, this Botticelli-esque hotel is intimate and convenient.
• Ca'Pisani Hotel: A charming boutique hotel, the Ca'Pisani has maintained the original 14th century architecture of the palace it is located in, and its original 1930s and 40s art deco furniture.
• Palazzina G Hotel: A quick stroll from Piazza San Marco is the exquisite, Wonderland-esque Palazzina G Hotel. Offering rooms, experiences and suite apartments, the hotel also features a giant chess set, champagne lounge and library.
Please help us out and add to the guide in the comments - what are your recommendations for Venice?
(Images: all images by Andie Wurster. 1. Piazza San Marco 2. Gondola on the Grand Canal 3. Maurizio Nannucci's "Changing Place, Changing Time, Changing Thoughts, Changing Future" at the Peggy Guggenheim Collections 4. Pizzeria Accademia 5. Hotels off of the Grand Canal)
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Beautiful! Ready to book a flight now!
Nice post but it is "Vedi Napoli e poi Muori" or "see Naples and die", not Venice.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Naples
Once you have seen all the recommended sites, just start walking away from touristic attractions and you'll find yourself in some beautiful spot of Venezia, where people actually live! The saying about setting Venice and die is actually about Naples: vedi Napoli e poi Mori/ see Napoli and then Mori, which is a town not far from Naples but it means also "die".
When I went to Venice, I was dead-set to *not* take a gondola ride. It seemed so touristy (and yes, I was a tourist) and not worth it. I'm so glad my friends dragged me on one. It was actually quite lovely. I probably don't need to do it again should I ever return to Venice, partially because it was so unexpectedly nice on such a beautiful evening with some amazing people, that kind of want that to be my one memory of such an experience.
I agree with Gigigia though, later on we got lost walking around far enough away from the basilica and seeing another side of the town was my other favorite part of the visit.
While the Accademia is an amazing, must-see collection, when I was there in May most of it was off-limits due to renovations, so make sure you know what galleries are open before you go--a good guidebook will give you detailed room descriptions.
Other interesting museums: The small Fortuny Museum, with its beautiful interiors, has the benefit that house museums have of letting you vicariously imagine yourself living there. For something in a completely different mood, the Punta della Dogana contemporary art collection is often disturbing and serious--jerking you back to the present after your past-haunted walks through Venice. I deeply regret not having time to go to the Mocenigo Palace Museum that specializes in textiles, costume, fashion and furniture, but you always miss something don't you...and have to hope you get to go back.
best food hands down in Venice is anywhere near the "Jewish Ghetto", that's true in most of Italy. I've been to Venice twice and always ate far from Piazza San Marco. Venice is wonderful in the "off" season.
Go when the Venice Biennial is happening.
The first time we went, we stayed in the Duodo Palace Hotel, which is near the Fenice Opera house, and around the corner from the house that George Sand lived in while she was there. It was a great location, a beautiful hotel, and a lovely experience. The second time we went, we rented an apartment in San Marco. It was way less expensive, and so nice to be able to 'come home' at the end of the day. There was the added bonus of laundry facilities, too! And spending breakfast watching the delivery barges negotiating the narrow canals.
I don't remember street musicians in Piazza San Marco - I would have thought that the cafe orchestras would have something to say about that! But, there's nothing to beat sitting in a cafe - particularly on a less-touristed square or fondamenta, drinking a spritz and enjoying the life of the city. We spent a lovely half hour listening to a man explain to his two lolling pugs that they needed to get up soon, or they'd miss the next vaporetto. Again.
Ah, Venice. One of my most favourite places on earth. Agree with the Jewish Ghetto having some of the best food. And it's hard not to go anywhere around the island without seeing art or beautiful interiors everywhere. Full-on assault of the senses. Just take a stroll down any street and you'll find something inspirational.
Went to Venice in May. I could ride the vaparetto 24/7. I did get lost and have some of the best pictures from wandering around away from the tourist areas.
We had our anniversary dinner at the delicious Ristorante Da Raffaele (S. Marco 2347, 30124 Venice, Italy). It sits right on the canal and is a picturesque place to watch the sun go down and the gondolas float through.
When my granddaughter was 15, she & I made a trip to Europe and picked our favorite places which we had visited earlier, but separately. I made sure I'd photograph her feeding the pigeons at San Marco Square where her delighted father at 11 had stood years before; however, his daughter was horrified by the birds!.
Amazing especially when you allow yourself to get lost!
I went to Venice as a poor student. My friends and I stayed in Lido, a island apart from Venice, but on the water bus route. It was actually a very economical way to see Venice and we missed out on nothing. We got lost in the back streets one night looking for St. Marks Square and after passing the same building a few times, a kind woman stuck her head out her window and shouted directions to us. So fun! I LOVE Venezia!
You can't beat Venice . . .
I avoided going back to Venice... I'd been there as a student, and so had been to see all the key things, but it's so full of tourists and Chinese glass pretending to be from Murano that I was quite turned-off. But, we had a fall vacation, and somehow, it beckoned, and so we went.
We stayed in a small pensione in the San Paolo district, and it was a beautiful time of year. University students were in the process of graduating, and besides celebratory lunches in restaurants, could be seen performing strange rituals in public squares (!). Every evening, we stopped in at the local shop a calle down from our rooms, drank a glass of prosecco with the locals at the tiny zinc counter, and walked away with bags of local cookies, zaletti and bussola. The real Venice is still there, and can be found, you just have to dig a little and research before you go.
Thank you for this!! We are going to visit Venice soon on our honeymoon and these are some great tips. Now if only you could do a Design guide to Barcelona, we'd be all set ;)