Venice

water lines #1, 52, and 82 will take you from Santa Lucia (the train station) or Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco. Walking is another option but will require a map and lots of time and energy· Cheap

Saint Mark's Basilica is on the Piazza San Marco and is one of the highlights of a visit to Venice. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders.

Vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Accademia· Cheap

Venice's most significant art museum which is also one of Italy's best. Among the most important paintings in the Accademia are: Gentile Bellini: Procession on St. Mark’s Square (1496) and Miracle of the Cross at the Bridge of S.

on San Marco Square, vaporetto line 11-2-5, 1-5-2· Moderate

Interesting collection of globes, starting from the 16th century. There is also an only library hall, an archeological museum of Roman antiques and an important picture gallery. The museum offers a tour of Venetian history.

vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco· Moderate

Don't miss the guided tour named Secret Itinerary, which will let you discover the part of the palace where the city's administration worked, as well as Casanova's jail and the wonderful five hundred year old roof structure. A MUVE museum.

east of the Accademia bridge, on the southern side of the Grand Canal· Moderate

Offers a personal collection of modern art collected by Peggy Guggenheim. Peggy was an American married to modern artist Max Ernst, and funded a number of his contemporaries.

Vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Tomà, near the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari· Moderate

A masterpiece of Tintoretto, this guild house is an exquisite example of Mannerist art at its best. In order to allow a comfortable admiration of the detailed ceiling, mirrors are offered to the visitors.

Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo

The famous condottiere (1395–1475) had a long and remunerative career as captain of a mercenary army fighting for (or against, depending on the pay) the Republic, but died without an heir (8 daughters did not count) and bequeathed most of…

Campo delle Salute, Dorsoduro

As a votive offering for the city's deliverance from the Black Plague, the church was designed in the then fashionable Baroque style. Construction began in 1631.

Fondamenta Zattere Ai Gesuati

18th-century Dominican church on the Giudecca canal. The classical style building has a well-lit interior and is exceptional in preserving its original layout and Rococo decoration intact.

Connecting sestieri San Polo and San Marco across Canal Grande

The bridge has become one of Venice's most recognizable icons and has a history that spans over 800 years. Today's Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524.

300 m west of San Marco square· Cheap

One of the best opera houses in the world. The theatre is an identical reconstruction (rebuilt in 2003) of the previous theatre building that burned down in 1996.

vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto· Moderate

Teatro Malibran was built in 1678, and is now is part of La Fenice. Tickets for opera, ballet, and symphony performances are available at La Fenice, various locations around the city, or by phone Phone +39 041 2424

vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Accademia· Pricey

Classical concerts by Interpreti Veneziani. They also run the nearby Music Museum in the nearby San Maurizio church.

in the palace Ca' Vendramin Calergi· Moderate

The oldest gambling house in the world, founded in 1638. The building dates back to the 15th century.

Cannaregio, 1045

One of the last industries left in Venice, the Orsoni Furnace produces fine glass panels and mosaics using the same technique since 1888. The small factory can only be visited on certain dates.

vaporetto lines 1, 5.1, 5.2, 4.1, 4,.2 to San Zaccaria· Pricey

Between 1703 and 1740, Antonio Vivaldi taught the orchestra of the girls in the orphanage here, writing unparalleled music for them. Frequent concerts of his Four Seasons by a Baroque ensemble.

Attend the annual film festival, the oldest of its kind. It is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and usually takes place around late August or early September. Make your reservations early as the island is small and hotels fill up.

Fondamenta Zattere

It's a long and sunny walk along the Giudecca canal, protected during winter time from cold northerly winds for being exposed to south and shielded by buildings.

Piazza San Marco, 57

On the extravagant side there is Caffè Florian, on Piazza San Marco. It claims to be the oldest coffee house still in operation, established in 1720.

just 8 minutes from Piazza San Marco (200 m NE)· Cheap

This small and atmospheric restaurant/pizzeria will absolutely enchant you. Famous for its traditional style pizza and seafood pasta, you will not only get it all at affordable prices (pizza pasta wine/half litre), but you're also served…

Ponte S. Trovaso, across from the church· Cheap

Inventive and delicious cicchetti; pile a plate with what you like, and the staff will pour you a glass of wine to match the selection. If it's too crowded inside, step out and find a space by the canal.

One of the favorites is the mini-chain "E Rosa Salva", with three locations in the center - on C. Fiubera (from Piazza San Marco, take the underpass in the middle of the arcade, cross the bridge and take second right off C.

Campiello della Fenice, San Marco 2007

A luxury restaurant, favorite among the famous names of culture and business, the Antico Martini also attracts expert gourmets and famous personalities since the 1800s who come to enjoy unforgettable flavors.

Via Lepanto, 21

Serves local Venetian seafood delicacies such as squid in ink over polenta (not as bad as it sounds), shrimp scampi and octopus, among other more common dishes. Water is served in Murano glass vases.

Murano Museo vaporetti stop· Expensive

Mid-to-high priced hotel, although better deals can be found than the hotel's published rate. Rooms have a safe and mini-bar. Two restaurants: a more casual bar/restaurant, and a more formal sit down restaurant.

walk west from Salute vaporetto stop· Expensive

A quiet street off S.M. Salute, by the S.M. Giglio traghetto (when it's operational, 50 cents will get you to S. Marco), within easy walk of either Accademia or the Zattere (no need to brave the hordes of tourists on the #1 line, take the…

C.te del Bianco, Castello 269· Pricey

One star. Provides a family atmosphere with modern comforts. Quiet hotel with secure courtyard and some rooms with a canal view (for a higher price) overlooking the Isola di San Pietro. Common balcony over the canal.

Castello 6457

Housed in a 15th-century building, this quaint hotel has very spacious rooms with high ceilings and is adorned with stylish furniture and fittings.

Piazza Santa Fosca 29· Expensive

A rustic and romantic 5-room inn that has hosted several famous guests, including Ernest Hemingway, who wrote Across the River and into the Trees here. Rooms have no TVs but instead a small selection of books.

Piazzale S.M. Elisabetta - 30126 Venice Lido

Hotel Panorama is an affordable and small yet charming hotel situated across the lagoon from Venice. Rooms are a good size with large windows, great views, and attentive service.