Venice where blowing is an art form!! Glass blowing I mean….there is nothing like watching that molten sand be turned into a beautiful glass horse or vase. Venice is well known for its Romantic waterways, delicious food, quaint cobblestone streets and the beauty of the Venetian Masks. Venice should be on everyone’s bucket list, it will not disappoint. This Itinerary is designed for first-time travellers visiting Venice, allow yourself two full days in Venice, of course, there is plenty more to see and do however for your first trip two days will be enough to see the main sights.
Venice where blowing is an art form!! Glass blowing I mean….there is nothing like watching that molten sand be turned into a beautiful glass horse or vase. Venice is well known for its Romantic waterways, delicious food, quaint cobblestone streets and the beauty of the Venetian Masks. Venice should be on everyone’s bucket list, it will not disappoint. This Itinerary is designed for first-time travellers visiting Venice, allow yourself two full days in Venice, of course, there is plenty more to see and do however for your first trip two days will be enough to see the main sights.
Day 1 – Arriving in Venice
Venice Historic centre is located about 4miles off the coast of mainland Venice, check whereabouts your accommodation is located as this might determine the form of transport you use on arrival.
By Air – Marco Polo Airport
Marco Polo Airport is the main international airport in Venice, from there you can catch a Bus to either Venice Piazzale Roma or Liberta’ Santa Chiara it will take approx 23mins and cost between $6-20. There is the option of a water taxi, it is about a 10min walk from the airport to the terminal. The Water taxies can be crowded and is probably the slowest way to get to the centre, a one-way ticket is about €15 which includes one piece of luggage per person any extra luggage is an additional €3. You can book a private water taxi which means you get the comfort of being taken directly to your accommodation without having to navigate the streets of Venice. This option is convenient but expensive it is about €120 each way, this might work out cost-effective if you are sharing with up to 4 other people.
My Personal Suggestion
In peak times Venice can be crazy busy, pushing and shoving to get on water taxi’s, once dropped off at the main terminal you then have to find your accommodation through the confusing streets. For peace of mind and convenience, I recommend booking the arrival transfer in any new country you are visiting. Viator offers some great options for transport a shuttle from Marco Polo Airport Venice centre which is about $60 per person book here Once you get you bearings in a new place then you can use the public transport to get around but do yourself a favour and pre-book your arrival transfers.
By Train
Venice’s central train station is called Venezia Santa Lucia railway station, this is a major hub and connects the city with numerous countries and other Italian towns. This is the simplest way to travel around Italy and get to Venice Center, definitely pre-book your tickets with either Italiarail or the Trainline for the best deals.
Depending on your flight or train time, the first day is going to be mostly focused on getting to your accommodation in Venice
Once you have arrived and settled in, take a leisurely walk around the streets of Venice to get yourself lost in the fantasy of the cobblestone streets and mystery of the “floating city”
Day 2 – Exploring the Beautiful streets of Venice
Start your day with an Italian coffee (Be careful of the table tax ask the price before you sit down and do not buy a coffee in St Marks Square it will set you back around 8 Euro for something you can get in a smaller cafe for about 3 euro.)
Today we are going to get lost in Venice and explore some of the major sights starting with an icon of Venice. Venice can be quite confusing and more often than not you will end up going in circles, the whole idea is to get lost in the magical city however on your first day to get your bearings. The two main things you are going to do today is a short guided walking tour and an iconic gondola ride through the canals. All of the tour guides are local and have so many stories and insights into Venice. Viator offers a fantastic package deal of a 3.5-hour tour which includes the walking tour and gondola ride Book Here.
Piazza San Marco or St Marks Square and St Marks Cathedral
• St Mark’s Square and The basilica are classed as an icon of Venice the basilica has one of the most beautiful exteriors you will ever see such amazing attention to detail.
• St Mark is the patron saint of Venice, His body was stolen from Alexandra in Egypt, the venation’s wanted to bring it back to Venice. Legend has it that They feared it might be damaged or destroyed by the Muslims. In order to get the body out of Egypt they covered it in a layer of Pork when the Muslim officials asked to inspect the chest, they cried out at the smell of the pork. The chest finally made its way back to Venice and he was laid to rest in St Marks Basilica.
Campanile (Bell Tower) – The Bell Tower was first built in the 10th C. It collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt. When it fell it damaged the nearby building that has since been repaired. The Bell Tower is nearly 100m (324 ft) high, offering magnificent panorama views over the main square.
Clock Tower- Built in the 15th C, the dial bears the signs of the Zodiac, indicating the passing of seasons, phases of the moon & movement of the sun through the zodiacal signs. A pair of giant bronze figures of two Moors surmounts it. Below is the winged lion, the symbol of Venice.
Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)- The palace was erected in the 12th Century. It is made of pink and white marble and was the residence of the doge, the seat of Government, and also the Court of Justice of the Republic.
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) – Walk towards the canal to the left of the palace, when you reach the first bridge look left. This bridge connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge name comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. A local legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge. It is has a reputation for being the most photographed bridge in the world.
Gondola Ride
The iconic Gondola ride is something that every traveller needs to do once in their lives, it may seem cheesy but you won’t regret it. Gondolas were used as a regular form of transport for the wealthy, now they are tourist icons. There are about 400 licenced gondoliers in Venice paddling and maneuvering their way through the tight net canals and bringing joy to those around. There are many operators that you can choose from most of them leave from around St Marks Square, they will haggle with you on price and start extremely high. I would definitely suggest you pre-book your tickets, grab the combo Gondola ride and walking tour from Viator for the best value for money. Book Here.
Lunch suggestion
If you are looking at St Mark’s Basilica go left under the arch (Underneath the clock) you will come to an awesome street, if you go right you will come across some souvenir shops, Venetian Lace and at the very end of that street on the left side, you will see a restaurant called Rossopomodoro. They have a sandwich bar for a quick and easy meal or you can sit down and have the most amazing Italian Pizzas. Grab yourself an Aperol Spritz, it is a traditional Italian alcoholic drink, the taste is quite unique like a bitter orange. The orange liqueur is mixed with Processco and served, you can get them as a takeaway and wander the streets sipping on your Italian cocktail.
Day 3 – See the colourful houses and incredible glass blowing on a trip to Murano and Burano
There are so many amazing things to see and do in Venice centre however today we are going to take a boat trip! Take a half-day trip to the incredible Venetian Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is a unique place, so colourful and bright it is here that you will get to experience the ancient tradition of Venetian Glass blowing. Watching molten sand be handcrafted into a horse right in front of your eyes is an incredible experience. The technique of glass blowing is passed down through generations. With over one thousand years of history of glass blowing in Venice, the traditions are still evident today.
The next stop is Burano Island, brightly coloured houses line the canal. The vibrant rainbow houses bring spirits to life and make that perfect Instagram picture. Burano claim to fame is the Burano Lace. Legend has it that a young Venetian seafarer brought his beloved a seaweed from the far, distant seas. As she wanted to preserve the memento forever, she painstakingly copied the delicate outline and patterns using her needle and thread. Over the course of time, the fame of Burano lace spread throughout Europe and was very much in demand. On his coronation day, Louis XIV of France was said to wear an original and very precious lace collar made by the Burano lace-makers in two years of patient needlework.
If your looking for that perfectly unique souvenir or gift for someone back home this is the place to get it. Taking this wonderful 5-hour tour to Murano and Burano with a local guide will give you amazing insight into the age-old traditions and beauty of the surrounding islands. Book Here There is a tour that leaves in the morning or in the afternoon either way it is a spectacular experience.
Lunch Suggestion
Get yourself some Pasta in the wall or better known as Dal Moro’s, it is a takeaway pasta shop, fresh traditional and the most incredible tasting pasta! The shop is quaint and tucked away out of the main tourist area, it is well worth the visit you will not regret it. They do not have a sitting area but I would suggest getting your pasta and finding yourself a nice spot near the canal to enjoy the flavours of Venice.
Now for the BEST Gelato in ITALY!!!
Suso is tucked away in the back streets near the Rialto bridge, from the bridge walk towards the big square there will be a statue in the middle of a man on a horse this is Bartolomeo Colleoni. Colleoni, who had been appointed lifelong captain-general for his military service to the republic, led Venetian forces successfully in campaigns against neighbouring city-states. Facing the statue there will be a street on the right side Calle De La Bissa, walk down there, take your first left go to the end and take a right. You will be standing in front of Suso homemade Italian Gelato that will change your life.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest bridges spanning across the Grand Canal, it has been rebuilt many times throughout history and used for a number of different functions. These days it is a tourist icon, made of white marble and intricate detail it is a stunning representation of Venice, walking across the bridge you will find handicraft stores, jewellery and souvenir stores on both sides. If you walk across the bridge and turn sharp left along the Grand Canal you will find some picturesque restaurants dotted alongside the water serving traditional Venetian Dishes, (Try the Black Ink Risotto). Being so close to the ocean most traditional Venetian dishes will consist of the freshest seafood.
Accommodation
I am going, to be frank with you Venice accommodation is not cheap, but it is totally worth every penny. I know it might be tempting to look for the cheapest accommodation or stay on the mainland to save a dollar but sometimes the experience outweighs the cost. Venice is one of those experiences, waking up to the sound of the Gonderlears singing as they paddle through the canal, hearing the water lapping the side of the hotel. Opening your window to be greeted by the magical and historic city centre is like no other. I am not saying break the bank but splash out a little, We always search for the best deals on Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia for Venice. I have stayed at the Hotel Violino D’Oro a few times, the rooms are clean and beautiful presented. Makes sure to book the room with a canal view, you open up your Venetian blinds to the incredible sight of The Gondoliers. The location is wonderful, it is simply 1.5 blocks from St Mark Square and is very easy to navigate around the streets of Venice.
The Must-See and Do things on your first trip to Venice
• St Mark’s Square and Basilica
• Take a Gondola Ride through the canals
• Rialto Bridge
• Get a Glimpse of the Home of Marco Polo
• See the Intricate detail of Venetian Masks and Lace
• Watch a glass blowing demonstration
• Try an Aperol spritz while looking out over the Grand Canal
• Eat the best Gelato of your life from Suso
Transport
Walking! once in the Historical City Centre of Venice, there are no cars, bikes or motorised vehicles allowed in the streets. You will see carts being pulled for supplies to the shops. The main form of transport for the surrounding areas is water taxi’s, the timetables and destinations are clearly set out at each stop.
Is Venice Really Sinking?
• Well yes and no, Venice is located on an underwater Lagoon. The Venations were pumping water out of this Lagoon not thinking anything of it, after a few years, they realised that this was one of the reasons why Venice was slowly sinking
• They figured out that the Lagoon worked as a hydraulics system, like a big balloon and by pumping the water out caused the balloon to deflate
• Incredibly Venice floods at high tide for 200 days of the year
• Local business owners have to move as much as they can from the ground floor and simply wait for the water to go down
How many bridges are there in Venice?
Venice is made up of 117 small islands in the venation lagoon or northeast Italy, With over 150 canals and over 400 bridges!
How many people live in Venice Centre?
There is a population of 270,000 that live in the Historical centre of Venice.
Can you drink the tap water in Venice?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Venice. The city collects fresh rainwater for drinking.
Can you swim in the canals of Venice?
The simple answer is NO, it is prohibited and you will get a 450 euro fine.
the second reason is the canals in Venice are used as the main transportation around the city which means the water is heavily contaminated with all kinds of metals and chemicals.
Day 1 – Arriving in Venice
Venice Historic centre is located about 4miles off the coast of mainland Venice, check whereabouts your accommodation is located as this might determine the form of transport you use on arrival.
By Air – Marco Polo Airport
Marco Polo Airport is the main international airport in Venice, from there you can catch a Bus to either Venice Piazzale Roma or Liberta’ Santa Chiara it will take approx 23mins and cost between $6-20. There is the option of a water taxi, it is about a 10min walk from the airport to the terminal. The Water taxies can be crowded and is probably the slowest way to get to the centre, a one-way ticket is about €15 which includes one piece of luggage per person any extra luggage is an additional €3. You can book a private water taxi which means you get the comfort of being taken directly to your accommodation without having to navigate the streets of Venice. This option is convenient but expensive it is about €120 each way, this might work out cost-effective if you are sharing with up to 4 other people.
My Personal Suggestion
In peak times Venice can be crazy busy, pushing and shoving to get on water taxi’s, once dropped off at the main terminal you then have to find your accommodation through the confusing streets. For peace of mind and convenience, I recommend booking the arrival transfer in any new country you are visiting. Viator offers some great options for transport a shuttle from Marco Polo Airport Venice centre which is about $60 per person book here Once you get you bearings in a new place then you can use the public transport to get around but do yourself a favour and pre-book your arrival transfers.
By Train
Venice’s central train station is called Venezia Santa Lucia railway station, this is a major hub and connects the city with numerous countries and other Italian towns. This is the simplest way to travel around Italy and get to Venice Center, definitely pre-book your tickets with either Italiarail or the Trainline for the best deals.
Depending on your flight or train time, the first day is going to be mostly focused on getting to your accommodation in Venice
Once you have arrived and settled in, take a leisurely walk around the streets of Venice to get yourself lost in the fantasy of the cobblestone streets and mystery of the “floating city”
Day 2 – Exploring the Beautiful streets of Venice
Start your day with an Italian coffee (Be careful of the table tax ask the price before you sit down and do not buy a coffee in St Marks Square it will set you back around 8 Euro for something you can get in a smaller cafe for about 3 euro.)
Today we are going to get lost in Venice and explore some of the major sights starting with an icon of Venice. Venice can be quite confusing and more often than not you will end up going in circles, the whole idea is to get lost in the magical city however on your first day to get your bearings. The two main things you are going to do today is a short guided walking tour and an iconic gondola ride through the canals. All of the tour guides are local and have so many stories and insights into Venice. Viator offers a fantastic package deal of a 3.5-hour tour which includes the walking tour and gondola ride Book Here.
Piazza San Marco or St Marks Square and St Marks Cathedral
• St Mark’s Square and The basilica are classed as an icon of Venice the basilica has one of the most beautiful exteriors you will ever see such amazing attention to detail.
• St Mark is the patron saint of Venice, His body was stolen from Alexandra in Egypt, the venation’s wanted to bring it back to Venice. Legend has it that They feared it might be damaged or destroyed by the Muslims. In order to get the body out of Egypt they covered it in a layer of Pork when the Muslim officials asked to inspect the chest, they cried out at the smell of the pork. The chest finally made its way back to Venice and he was laid to rest in St Marks Basilica.
Campanile (Bell Tower) – The Bell Tower was first built in the 10th C. It collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt. When it fell it damaged the nearby building that has since been repaired. The Bell Tower is nearly 100m (324 ft) high, offering magnificent panorama views over the main square.
Clock Tower- Built in the 15th C, the dial bears the signs of the Zodiac, indicating the passing of seasons, phases of the moon & movement of the sun through the zodiacal signs. A pair of giant bronze figures of two Moors surmounts it. Below is the winged lion, the symbol of Venice.
Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)- The palace was erected in the 12th Century. It is made of pink and white marble and was the residence of the doge, the seat of Government, and also the Court of Justice of the Republic.
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) – Walk towards the canal to the left of the palace, when you reach the first bridge look left. This bridge connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge name comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. A local legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge. It is has a reputation for being the most photographed bridge in the world.
Gondola Ride
The iconic Gondola ride is something that every traveller needs to do once in their lives, it may seem cheesy but you won’t regret it. Gondolas were used as a regular form of transport for the wealthy, now they are tourist icons. There are about 400 licenced gondoliers in Venice paddling and maneuvering their way through the tight net canals and bringing joy to those around. There are many operators that you can choose from most of them leave from around St Marks Square, they will haggle with you on price and start extremely high. I would definitely suggest you pre-book your tickets, grab the combo Gondola ride and walking tour from Viator for the best value for money. Book Here.
Lunch suggestion
If you are looking at St Mark’s Basilica go left under the arch (Underneath the clock) you will come to an awesome street, if you go right you will come across some souvenir shops, Venetian Lace and at the very end of that street on the left side, you will see a restaurant called Rossopomodoro. They have a sandwich bar for a quick and easy meal or you can sit down and have the most amazing Italian Pizzas. Grab yourself an Aperol Spritz, it is a traditional Italian alcoholic drink, the taste is quite unique like a bitter orange. The orange liqueur is mixed with Processco and served, you can get them as a takeaway and wander the streets sipping on your Italian cocktail.
Day 3 – See the colourful houses and incredible glass blowing on a trip to Murano and Burano
There are so many amazing things to see and do in Venice centre however today we are going to take a boat trip! Take a half-day trip to the incredible Venetian Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is a unique place, so colourful and bright it is here that you will get to experience the ancient tradition of Venetian Glass blowing. Watching molten sand be handcrafted into a horse right in front of your eyes is an incredible experience. The technique of glass blowing is passed down through generations. With over one thousand years of history of glass blowing in Venice, the traditions are still evident today.
The next stop is Burano Island, brightly coloured houses line the canal. The vibrant rainbow houses bring spirits to life and make that perfect Instagram picture. Burano claim to fame is the Burano Lace. Legend has it that a young Venetian seafarer brought his beloved a seaweed from the far, distant seas. As she wanted to preserve the memento forever, she painstakingly copied the delicate outline and patterns using her needle and thread. Over the course of time, the fame of Burano lace spread throughout Europe and was very much in demand. On his coronation day, Louis XIV of France was said to wear an original and very precious lace collar made by the Burano lace-makers in two years of patient needlework.
If your looking for that perfectly unique souvenir or gift for someone back home this is the place to get it. Taking this wonderful 5-hour tour to Murano and Burano with a local guide will give you amazing insight into the age-old traditions and beauty of the surrounding islands. Book Here There is a tour that leaves in the morning or in the afternoon either way it is a spectacular experience.
Lunch Suggestion
Get yourself some Pasta in the wall or better known as Dal Moro’s, it is a takeaway pasta shop, fresh traditional and the most incredible tasting pasta! The shop is quaint and tucked away out of the main tourist area, it is well worth the visit you will not regret it. They do not have a sitting area but I would suggest getting your pasta and finding yourself a nice spot near the canal to enjoy the flavours of Venice.
Now for the BEST Gelato in ITALY!!!
Suso is tucked away in the back streets near the Rialto bridge, from the bridge walk towards the big square there will be a statue in the middle of a man on a horse this is Bartolomeo Colleoni. Colleoni, who had been appointed lifelong captain-general for his military service to the republic, led Venetian forces successfully in campaigns against neighbouring city-states. Facing the statue there will be a street on the right side Calle De La Bissa, walk down there, take your first left go to the end and take a right. You will be standing in front of Suso homemade Italian Gelato that will change your life.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest bridges spanning across the Grand Canal, it has been rebuilt many times throughout history and used for a number of different functions. These days it is a tourist icon, made of white marble and intricate detail it is a stunning representation of Venice, walking across the bridge you will find handicraft stores, jewellery and souvenir stores on both sides. If you walk across the bridge and turn sharp left along the Grand Canal you will find some picturesque restaurants dotted alongside the water serving traditional Venetian Dishes, (Try the Black Ink Risotto). Being so close to the ocean most traditional Venetian dishes will consist of the freshest seafood.
Accommodation
I am going, to be frank with you Venice accommodation is not cheap, but it is totally worth every penny. I know it might be tempting to look for the cheapest accommodation or stay on the mainland to save a dollar but sometimes the experience outweighs the cost. Venice is one of those experiences, waking up to the sound of the Gonderlears singing as they paddle through the canal, hearing the water lapping the side of the hotel. Opening your window to be greeted by the magical and historic city centre is like no other. I am not saying break the bank but splash out a little, We always search for the best deals on Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia for Venice. I have stayed at the Hotel Violino D’Oro a few times, the rooms are clean and beautiful presented. Makes sure to book the room with a canal view, you open up your Venetian blinds to the incredible sight of The Gondoliers. The location is wonderful, it is simply 1.5 blocks from St Mark Square and is very easy to navigate around the streets of Venice.
The Must-See and Do things on your first trip to Venice
• St Mark’s Square and Basilica
• Take a Gondola Ride through the canals
• Rialto Bridge
• Get a Glimpse of the Home of Marco Polo
• See the Intricate detail of Venetian Masks and Lace
• Watch a glass blowing demonstration
• Try an Aperol spritz while looking out over the Grand Canal
• Eat the best Gelato of your life from Suso
Transport
Walking! once in the Historical City Centre of Venice, there are no cars, bikes or motorised vehicles allowed in the streets. You will see carts being pulled for supplies to the shops. The main form of transport for the surrounding areas is water taxi’s, the timetables and destinations are clearly set out at each stop.
Is Venice Really Sinking?
• Well yes and no, Venice is located on an underwater Lagoon. The Venations were pumping water out of this Lagoon not thinking anything of it, after a few years, they realised that this was one of the reasons why Venice was slowly sinking
• They figured out that the Lagoon worked as a hydraulics system, like a big balloon and by pumping the water out caused the balloon to deflate
• Incredibly Venice floods at high tide for 200 days of the year
• Local business owners have to move as much as they can from the ground floor and simply wait for the water to go down
How many bridges are there in Venice?
Venice is made up of 117 small islands in the venation lagoon or northeast Italy, With over 150 canals and over 400 bridges!
How many people live in Venice Centre?
There is a population of 270,000 that live in the Historical centre of Venice.
Can you drink the tap water in Venice?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Venice. The city collects fresh rainwater for drinking.
Can you swim in the canals of Venice?
The simple answer is NO, it is prohibited and you will get a 450 euro fine.
the second reason is the canals in Venice are used as the main transportation around the city which means the water is heavily contaminated with all kinds of metals and chemicals.
Tourist and Table Tax
Be careful of the table tax, most restaurants in Venice will charge a table tax for you to sit and eat in the restaurant. Be sure to ask what this is before you sit down or you might be slapped with a surprise at the end of your meal. Tourist tax is applied to anyone who doesn’t speak Italian, the closer you go to the main tourist sights the more tourist tax you will pay.
Tourist and Table Tax
Be careful of the table tax, most restaurants in Venice will charge a table tax for you to sit and eat in the restaurant. Be sure to ask what this is before you sit down or you might be slapped with a surprise at the end of your meal. Tourist tax is applied to anyone who doesn’t speak Italian, the closer you go to the main tourist sights the more tourist tax you will pay.
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