Traveling to Venice tips?

Question

HI! I'm traveling to Italy this month with five other friends (ages 23-27) What are some must see places in Venice? Any recommendations of must see places, sights, good restaurants, night life, outdoor activities, etc. will be welcomed :)

Answer 1

Venice is my favorite city. Just start walking in Venice in any direction and you will be enchanted by its mystic beauty!

I would highly suggest a gondola trip through the canals. It is a sight NOT to be missed!

Answer 2

Venice is SO FUN!  I spent some time there on my honeymoon last summer and my husband and i had a blast!

As cheesy as it may seem and as expensive as it is, you guys really must take a gondola trip.  It is truly amazing to see the city as the people who built it saw it.  And between the 5 of you, the cost shouldn't be too bad, about 20 Euros per person.

I also greatly advise taking a least on trip on a water taxi.  Fast and furious jetting around Venice, you totally feel like Sophia Loren!  (Maybe hire one to whisk over to Cipriani for drinks?  Glamorous and fun!)

As for night life, I suggest making a trip to the famous Harry's Bar (famous for inventing Bellini's and for being Earnest Hemingway's hangout spot).  Drink Bellini's (a cocktail made from peach puree and champagne) and eat their famous grilled sandwiches and people watch!  But know that it is a bit classy, so no short skirts or shorts 'cause you will be turned away.  Hanging out in San Marco square at night is a blast too.  Almost all of the restaurants/cafes in the square have their own orchestras performing outside and with a minimal order (i.e. cocktail, dessert, coffee), you can sit there all night under the stars enjoying the music (or as my husband called it, the battling orchestras...)  And of course, there is always the aforementioned Hotel Cipriani for fabulous drinks and a glamorous atmosphere.

Sadly, the food in Venice is not as incredible as the rest of Italy as it caters largely to tourist population (with high concentrations of German and Japanese tourists).  But there are still some good places to go, but you've got to stray a bit from the main path (i.e. San Marcos...).  "Al Vaporetto" is a good trattoria a quick walk from San Marco's offering reasonably priced good food, fast.  In San Stephano square, there are a number of lovely restaurants and a tasty gellateria with the added bonus of being less tourist-y.

As for sights, the Basilica is a must see.  And going up into the Campanile is pretty awesome, the 360 views of the city are well worth any wait.  If you go around 4 pm, there is usually not as long a line to get up the tower.

Also, it is REALLY easy to get lost in Venice, but if you embrace it, that is when you find a lot the treasures that the city has to offer.

Have FUN!

Answer 3

Hi,

Don't wear your designer gear in St Marks square.... really

Regards....

CoffeeBean

Answer 4

Hi... every place in Venice is beautiful... but you must go to St Mark square... (I'm Italian and I've been there...)