Venice
In our opinion Venice is the most beautiful city in the world. Everyone should visit Venice at least once in their lifetime and if you haven't been already you had better be quick before the city sinks beneath the water which laps around everywhere you look!
So, why do we think Venice is a "not to be missed city"? Well, in short it has fantastic architecture, great art, designer shopping, a fascinating history and it has canals instead of roads.
Before you go make sure you read about the history of Venice. How did a group of muddy islands become the greatest art and trading centre of Medieval Europe? - it is fascinating stuff.
 You may read that Venice is only famous for its foul smelling canals, however, when Global Travel visited in the heat of August there was not a whiff in the air at all. Instead, we stood marvelling at the many incredible sights, knowing that we were looking at a place with a history dating back over 1,000 years, and we strolled
around the narrow winding alleyways with wonderful little shops and cosmopolitan cafes.
Where else in the world can you wonder around without the risk of being mown down by a speeding motorist if you step off the pavement?
The best time to visit Venice is between April and October. In Winter many shops are closed and St Mark's Square could be under a foot of water. Most visitors arrive at Marco Polo Airport and there are several ways of getting to Venice:- You can travel by water bus where you can buy your ticket costing about 15,000 lire at the A.C.T.V. desk in the airport. You can take a private water taxi which will set you back about 130,000 lire or you can travel by bus to Piazzale Roma costing about 5,000 lire.
Most hotels in Venice are traditional old style with lots of character. Don't expect high rise blocks with leisure facilities! Most of the hotels we saw looked comfortable if not a little basic but there are plenty of 4 star hotels if you like your home comforts. What all the hotels offer is an unrivalled location with friendly and helpful staff.
Click here For details of special offer hotel rates in Venice.
Once in Venice it will take you a few hours to get your bearings in the maze of narrow streets. Use the yellow signs with black arrows that point to the pedestrian hubs of San Marco, Rialto, Accademia, Ferrovia (railway station) and Piazzale Roma. In addition use the water buses (Vaporetti) which run frequently. You can use them like a normal bus and they also make a great way to see the sights. You can buy tickets for each journey or for a day.
St Marks Square - expensive cafes and lots of pigeons as well as incredible architecture. This is probably the most beautiful square in the world.
The Campanile - this 325 foot high bell tower dominates St. Marks. The original 1100 year old building collapsed in 1802. This one was built in 1912! Take the lift to the top for incredible views of the old city and beyond.
The Doge's Palace - this was the seat of government and is full of famous paintings.
St. Marks Basilica - this is "the" place to see in Venice. The cathedral was built in the 11th century and is a treasure house of incredible relics collected over the centuries.
The Piazzetta - this smaller square runs from St. Marks down to the quayside. It has the twin columns of St. Theodore and St. Mark where public executions took place. Venetian superstition says it is bad luck to walk between the two columns.
Take the water bus to the island of Burano. Multi-coloured cottages line the canals. In our opinion this is one of the prettiest places in Italy.
Take a gondola trip, but check the cost first as it is expensive. Fares are governed by a tariff and should be about 40 Euro for a 50 minute trip.
It can be hot in Summer so take suitable clothing. However, take note that St. Marks and other churches have a strict dress code. e.g. Ladies need to cover their shoulders before they will be allowed in.
Go shopping for Venetian glass but prices are high in the shops around St. Marks Square. Best bargains are in the small shops away from the centre. You can see glass blowers at work on the island of Murano which can be reached by a short boat trip.
The cost of eating out is not expensive as long as you stay away from the St. Marks area. There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from and seafood is available everywhere.
Although Venice is connected to the mainland by a road bridge there are no roads in the city itself. Drivers have to leave their cars in multi-storey car parks at the island end of the bridge.
Harry's Bar in San Marco is where Ernest Hemingway used to drink. It is now frequented by rich Venetians and is an excellent place for a plate of pasta!
Currency: Euro
Click here to see a video guide to Venice
Click here to see the Discover Venice video guide
Call us on 0870 1999 038 for further details
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