What to do in Venice

Venice

The romantic city of Venice is made up of 118 tiny islands connected by over 415 pontes (bridges) that rise over the canals with approximately 350 gondolas (boats) that navigate the waters. One of four major bridges is called the Grand Canal, and you probably have seen it in many photographs on the web.

The city is believed to be sinking at the rate of 1 millimeter per year, which is approximately .03 inches and usually floods when the tides rise. I have seen this for myself and it's very interesting how this town recovers. In the last 50 years, the city's population has been cut in half, from 120,000 people to only 60,000 today. Mostly due to the high costs of having a home there along with the flooding waters and sinking city.

All the reason to visit Venice, is that it's gorgeous, romantic, and someday it is predicted that it will only be a national park.

Top Things to See and Do
Piazza San Marco is a square located in the heart of Venice where it will lead to the Church (Basilica) of San Marco and San Marco's Bell Tower, the Doge's Palace and the Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower). Many people believe the best view of Venice can be had from the tower. Don't forget the bridges either! Must sees are the Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, the Academy Bridge, Ponte della Costituzione, and the Ponte Minich. Of course there are many more than those I mentioned, but those are some of my favorites!

You will notice many elaborately decorated face masks throughout the boutiques in Italy. A tradition from 1162 has carried on for years called the Carnevale di Venezia. The Venetians would dress up and wear masks that sometime represent occupations, such as the Colombina mask, the Medico della peste-maks of (The Plague Doctor), and the Moretta / Servetta muta (Servant) mask. I really think it was a pagen tradition and a great way to have a party, drink a lot and do crazy things!

Before you go
Wifi is erratic in Venice. Some hotels offer free wifi, but if you need it around the city, then contact Venezia Unica and you will have to pay, but you must sign up at least a week in advance.

Check the weather! The best time to go to Venice, is before summer and after September. I have been three times, summer, winter and fall. My favorite has been in the winter in February. It was super cold, but it was gorgeous and the night atmosphere is super romantic! There are hardly any tourist at all and we found lots of gorgeous clothing on sale! Women wear furs during the winter...something rarely seen in the US. Summer weather is miserably hot...no lie. If you like to sweat all the time, then go during summer months.

Wifi, Internet and Cell Phones
Wifi is erratic in Venice. Some hotels offer free wifi, but if you need it around the city, then contact Venezia Unica and you will have to pay, but you must sign up at least a week in advance.

Food and Water
Yes, you can drink water from the fountains! The water is great so don't waste your money on purchasing plastic bottled water.
Food is quite expensive in Italy. We usually purchase bread, wine, cheese and salami and eat it at a park or palazzo. As far as gelatto in Venice, I recommend La Boutique del Gelato, which is the best gelateria in Venice. We like it for the quality of the ice cream, the portions, and the friendliness of the staff. La Boutique del Gelato is on the Salizada San Lio, next to the Hotel Bruno.

What to Purchase
Take a water taxi (vapareoto) to the Island of Murano and watch the glass blowers create some gorgeous vases. Extremely beautiful island and take home some gorgeous glass art. Door knockers are very popular too along with handmade paper goods.