Venice
Venice
Venice is the essence of romance. Along the Grand Canal, the city's "main street," you will see row upon row of Gothic-Renaissance homes and palaces. Most are hundreds of years old and house priceless works of art. Dozens of delicate bridges lead the visitor from one wonder to the next: The Basilica of St Mark, the Palace of the Doges, and the remarkable collection of modern art assembled by Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.
Attractions
Probably the most famous site in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. Built to enshrine St. Mark's body in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century with a new, spectacular edifice. The interior is clad in wonderful mosaics and holds statues, icons and its famous horses, brought to St. Mark's after the 4th Crusade in 1204.Activities
Explore the Doge's Palace, the official residence of the Venetian ruler, founded in the 9th century. See its famous Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to the state prisons Take a walking tour through the quaint cobblestone streets and across the endless Venetian bridges to discover the intimate details that make Venice so unique. Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals as you relax and absorb the surroundings Campanile is the brick bell tower that stands in Piazza San Marco. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original, which stood for 1,000 years before it collapsed in 1912. An elevator can be taken to the top, affording views of the Lido, the lagoon and even as far as the Alps on a clear day. Art lovers will not want to miss this magnificent museum, Galleria dell’Accademia. It boasts the most extraordinary collection of Venetian art. In addition to priceless masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Paolo Veronese and Titian, there are paintings of 15th- and 16th-century Venice that show how amazingly little the city has changed since then. The Accademia is open every day of the week, but usually requires standing in line to enter.Shopping
Shopping in Venice offers endless possibilities. The areas around St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge are filled with shops and designer boutiques. The most popular buys are Murano glassware, handmade lace, embroidered linens, leather articles, knitwear and a wide gamut of souvenirs. Many shops close for the obligatory lunchtime between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.Food
Italians rarely shop in supermarkets. Instead, most prefer specialty stores. You can buy cakes at the pasticceria, milk at the latteria, and pasta, ham and cheese at an alimentari. It's a fun and interesting way to shop, and you'll find that the food is always fresh and delicious.Currency
The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Italy. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases.Weather Forecast
Sailing Calendar
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