Highlights
Shopping
Quality Venetian goods include exquisite glass, lamps, locally crafted lace, fine fabrics and sumptuous jewellery. For a typical souvenir, venture to Murano Island, famed for its flamboyant, colourful Murano glassware − it was here that the glass-blowers were sent centuries ago when they were deemed a fire hazard to the city.
Food and Drink
Many would argue that Italy boasts some of the world’s very best cuisine, and beautiful Venice is no exception. Sample delicious marine curios such as spider crab, sea snails or mantis shrimps, all washed down with a refreshing Italian Spritz, crisp glass of Prosecco, or Ombra, a tiny glass of white wine. Other traditional dishes include polpette (meatballs), exquisite antipasti, inimitably good coffee, and the country’s delectable gelato, offered in just about every flavour under the sun.
The Venice Carnival
The Venice Carnival, ‘Carnevale’, held annually just before Lent, is a festive season including a variety of events typically involving public parades with people dressed in ornate costumes and masks. There is a magical atmosphere well worth experiencing. Giudecca’s women’s prison produces some amazing goods, including period costumes for purchase or to hire at ‘Carnevale’ time.
Venice Lido
A short boat ride from St Mark's Square is the Venice Lido − a relaxing seaside resort fringed by a long sandy beach which has long been a haven for aristocracy, poets and writers, and still today boasts one of Europe's most exclusive beaches.
Sightseeing
Bordered by the stunning Piazza San Marco, be sure to visit St Mark’s Basilica, admiring the marble floors, domed ceilings, glass tiles and mosaic-lined interiors depicting religious scenes. The immense bell tower, St Mark’s Campanile, dates back to the 9th century, whilst the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is inimitably beautiful and an important Catholic landmark. The Palazzo Ducale, with a marvellous façade and immense dimensions, is another emblem of Venice’s grandeur, while the Canal Grande is the city’s most important waterway; almost four kilometres-long and in immediate proximity to all major attractions and landmarks.
Art
Artists of the highest calibre have left their mark all over Venice and works by its grand masters − Titian, Tintoretto, Canaletto and Tiepolo − can still be viewed in situ today. See Titian’s glorious 'Assumption' above the high altar at I Frar and Tintoretto's epic masterpiece 'Crucifixion', at Scuola Grande di San Rocco to name but two. Meanwhile, the Glass Museum is in a beautiful Gothic building, entirely dedicated to glass works including the Renaissance gems of Correr, Molina and Cicogna.