City of Venice, Italy
Between the mouths of rivers Piave an Po, on hundreds of islands emerging between the mainland and the open sea, there stands the ”city of the canals”, the city of arts, of merchants like Marco Polo: Venice, capital city of the region of Veneto, located in the northeast of Italy.
From both airports (Marco Polo International Airport and the Treviso or Canova Airport) you can get to Venice by train to the Railway station Santa Lucia, one of the largest in Italy or to the metropolitan bus stop in Piazzale Roma, last site in Venice where you can get by road (the square where the Ponte della Libertà ends). The Grand Canal flows across Venice from end to end, and the following bridges cross the Canal: Santiago de Calatrava, Scalzi Bridge, Accademia Bridge and Rialto Bridge. The historical centre is located around Piazza San Marco. Venice is divided into six areas or “sestiere”. The habitual way of visiting Venice is on foot or by vaporetto (small public ferries) or gondolas (traditional flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boats propelled by gondoliers) sailing along the canals .
VENICEcard is a pass with two different modalities: the blue one includes free use of public transport services, access to public toilets and discounts. In case you decide to buy the Venice Card Orange you will enjoy the same benefits as with the blue one and additionally the card is valid to visit Municipal museums (Musei Civici Veneziani), churches of the Chorus circuit and discounts in other Venetian museums. In addition to canals and gondolas, the capital city of Veneto exhibits an exceptional offer of theatre performances, Opera, museums and churches to visit. Venice has been the scenery of several books and movie films because of its atypical urban landscape and the magic environmnet. From September to April the “Acqua alta” phenomenon usually takes place, when the Adriatic tide rises and overflows, flooding different areas with water reching about 1 metre over normal high sea level. When a higher than usual tide is anticipated in the city, sirens are blowed and a number of temporary wooden sidewalks (passerelle) provide raised routes in the main crossing sites in the city.
Another attractions are the international events: each two years La Biennale di Venezia (one of the main european art exhibitions, including artistic trends and organizing events in contemporary art, exhibitions in pavillions within Public Gardens ); in february the magnificent Carnival of Venice , cellebartion dating from the 11th century, with the wonderful masks and traditional costumes. In September, “la Mostra”, Venice Film Festival , the oldest in the world, where the award is the Golden Lion. The Winged Lion is Venice symbol. Another legendary cellebration takes place every first Sunday in September –since 1500- when the Regata Storica starts (recalling the times when authorities started to promote Rowing as a sport, in order to improve the training of crews destined to the protection and defense of Venice) and the boat parades in the Grand Canal, with hundreds of rowing boats, crews wearing medieval costumes and different competitions.
When packing your luggage to visit Italy its worth taking in mind several important items: you must carry wellingtons and warm clothes. In summer loose and light clothes. Even when most of Venetian streets are in the shade, discreet clothes are demanded to enter the churches.
You must taste fishes and seafood in a Venetian tavern , risottos and pasta with anchovy sauces, tuna fish, spider crab, or cuttlefish ink together with the classical wines of the region of Veneto: Valpolicella and Bardolino (black wines); Soave, Tocai and Gaballera (white wines) and the Recioto (sweet wine).
Your visit to Venice will not be complete until you sail to the Murano Island and visit the glassworks; to Lido to enjoy the beach … Do not miss the chance of knowing this wonderful and unique Italian city, the “Republica Marinara”, Venice.
