4 Nights in venice
The great Russian poet Joseph Brodsky said that Venice looked 'like two grilled fish sharing a plate'. From the air, you can easily see what he meant, orange marble the colour of butterscotch, white marble alive with wriggly veins, gold mosaics sizzling in the alcoves of San Marco, grey side-streets where the pigeons bounce and trample, and the water: canals like molten pewter, waves mumbling at steps they have already worn to a wafer, the wash of boats wasting across the lagoon, turning into lace as they strike the outlying islands of Burano and Torcello, Venice will catch you by surprise. Where else in the world can the mixture of drains, fish soup and slimy wooden posts whizz into such a delicious mixture? Bask in the glory of Grand Canal palaces, but make no mistake: this city's a powerhouse. You may have heard that Venice is an engineering marvel, with marble churches built atop ancient posts driven deep into the barene (mud banks) – but the truth is that this city is built on sheer nerve. With the world’s most artistic masterpieces per square kilometre, it takes a certain imagination to forgo the convenience of cars and highways for slow boats and crooked calli. Venice is romantic and unforgettable on any budget, but it can be dazzling if you are willing to splurge. No wonder some of the world's richest and most famous tourists feel right at home when they come to the City of Water. Venice conjures gondolas, art and sinking buildings to mind. The watery city, a trove of Renaissance art and architecture, is not normally associated with cutting-edge cool. It's also a victim of its own appeal as Venice today is struggling to balance a thousand years of history with millions of tourists eager to watch pigeons take flight from Piazza San Marco. Click here to see a virtual guide of the city.
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Within City Walls
City Tour
Sightseeing tour can include: St. Mark’s Square, St Mark's Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Campanile, Rialto Bridge, Museo Storico Navale, Accademia, and other attractions within city limits. Gondola ride is one of the best and most romantic ways to discover all of its fabulous treasures. Snaking through the heart of Venice is the Grand Canal, always busy with vaporetto boats. Catch an opera at the Teatro La Fenice one of the most famous theatres in Europe. Audio Tour |
Guggenheim
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is among the most important museums in Italy for European and American art of the first half of the 20th century. It is located in Peggy Guggenheim's former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal in Venice. The museum presents Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection, masterpieces from the Gianni Mattioli Collection, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, as well as temporary exhibitions. Amazing exhibits. |
The Lido Beach
Trendier and more residential than traditional Venice, it still offers small canals, a variety of dining and impressive views of the city from across the Lagoon. At times it feels reminiscent of Palm Beach, Florida, with its upscale homes, historic architecture and its easy, island feel. Enjoy the beach and the sea. Visit the natural Oasis in Alberoni, pretected area from WWF. Lots of beachware is available on Lido, so don't worry if you've forgotten your flip flops. |
Mestre
Mestre has several sights in the main Piazza, Piazza Ferretto. There is a watchtower at the top of the piazza, and be sure to check out Teatro Toniolo, which is a beautiful theater. Piazza Ferretto is a typically Italian Piazza, with a modern water feature at the center and lots of different eateries with outside seating. It is also full of top end designer stores. There are two local parks in Mestre which are worth visiting. There are plenty of gorgeous little streets to explore. |
Carnival of Venice
An annual festival, the Carnival ends with Lent, forty days before Easter on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. "Dov'e il gabinetto!" In other words, "At a carnival, every joke is disgraced!" Masks have always been a main feature of the Venetian carnival. It is the most internationally known festival as well as one of the oldest. This congregation of masked people, called Venice Carnival, began in the 15th century, but the tradition can be traced back to the beginning of the 14th Century. |
Side Trips
Murano
Closest to Venice and famous for its glassmaking industry, with pieces known for its colors and exquisite chandeliers. Glassmaking an ancient tradition and art here, Glassblowers had to move their workshops off of Venice itself in 1291 due to fears the heat generated would burn the city down. The contemporary adults are the 23rd generation of the family to be involved in making glass art. There are constant free glass blowing shows on offer, the lovely Glass Museum and some amazing glass art in shops all over the island. |
Burano
Famous for its multi-colored houses and lace-making. See all the fishermen's houses painted in pastel colors and examine their famous hand-made lace as you visit one of the lace shops of the island. Make sure you have your camera ready because you would not want to miss a photo opportunity in this unique island. You can’t go anywhere without finding something beautiful to photograph. Those brightly-painted houses are really something else. Watch those women making lace by hand. It's an art. |
Torcello
This small island is famous for its cathedral with spectacular Byzantine gold and stone mosaics. Explore this small yet magical island and find peace as you walk around its ancient monuments and the Ponticello del Diavolo (Devil's Little Bridge), a term given to ancient bridges believed to be constructed either with the help of the Devil or against the wishes of the Devil. Worth mentioning is a big throne made of stone that sits in the courtyard area outside the cathedral – it’s called “Il Trono di Attila,” or Attila’s Throne. |
Dolomite Mountains
The Sesto and Cortina regions provide breathtaking views. Along scenic backroads, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the hill towns of Vento and surrounding countryside that have inspired poets and writers over the centuries. Or take a relaxing trip visiting Veneto’s Medieval towns. Travelling into the Veneto countryside to visit the charming walled town of Marostica, the home of grappa at Bassano del Grappa, and enchanting Asolo, with its delightful gardens and palatial villas. End the day with a refreshing glass of Prosecco (sparkling Italian wine) at a local vineyard. |
Verona
The setting for Shakespearen Romeo & Juliet, Verona is a work of art in itself: a blend of historical periods, cultures and influences. Walk through the narrow streets of the historical centre where you can visit some important monuments, like the big Roman Arena, built in the 1st century A.D.; the House of Juliet; Piazza delle Erbe; and Castelvecchio. Opera fan or no, there’s nothing quite like sitting in a Roman amphitheatre, watching a show. Verona’s famous opera company, which fills the night air with music every summer, is a grand spectacle. |
Lake Garda
A region famous for its excellent Amarone wine and the scenic Valpolicella drive, a deep glacial lake surrounded by majestic mountains. It is an oasis of calm and serenity. Sirmione, the pearl of Lake Garda, where the Romans built two castles, two harbors, a settlement and a gigantic villa. It is also here that the Scaligers later built their famous fortress: a charming, graceful yet strong and imposing bulwark. Visit the Gardaland Theme Park, more than 5 million a year do, it's home to six roller coasters and a total of 32 rides. Don't miss the IceAge 4D Adventure. |