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La Fenice
A short stay in Venice should include an opera at La Fenice
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Congratulate yourself on deciding to stay three days in one of the most magical cities in the entire world. Venice has a rich history and you have three days to discover it. You will take in an opera at the famous La Fenice Theater, ride a gondola and visit Saint Mark's Cathedral.
 Day Note
When you arrive at the Venice train station you have a choice; you can either carry luggage to your hotel or take a water taxi. Now, the price of the taxi may put you off but it is a small price to pay to not be one of those pitiful souls seen dragging their luggage behind them through the narrow streets and over the very steep little bridges that are so plentiful in Venice. Plus, how cool is a water taxi? Where else in the world can you even hail a water taxi? Drop the cash and arrive in style at your hotel. Once you have settled in you can start exploring. The Ponte di Rialto is nearby. From there, move to Piazza San Marco to visit the Basilica di San Marco and climb the Campanile. For lunch you’re going to Osteria a la Campana. At least once before you leave Venice you have to try some pasta al nero di seppia. Your afternoon will be spent at the island of Murano. Remember that you still have two days left to discover Venice. At Murano you can visit the glass museum, Museo Vetrario and various glassware shops. Also worth visiting is the Basilica di S. Donato. Once back in Venice your task for dinner is to find Anice Stellato. You will work up an appetite and will see some back streets on your way.
The speciality here is 'murrine', glass jewels that are typical of Murano. The technique for making these consists of putting together slivers of multi-coloured glass, melting them down and then cutting them widthways in order to obtain the characteristic concentric circle design. The glass is then used to create extremely beautiful and precious pendants, table ornaments and more.
Off the beaten path of most tourist-packed sites, located in a quiet corner of Murano, the Basilica di San Donato is a charming 12th century church. Rich in columns and arches, the intricate brick work and Byzantine mosaics on the walls and floors make the trip to the Basilica di San Donato a soothing experience for all the senses. Plus, its rumored that the relics of San Donato and the dragon slain by him are laid to rest in this tribute to San Donato from Arezzo.
An authentic Venetian 'osteria' near the city's main tourist attractions. The traditional décor includes a large bench, tables, and chairs. The menu features traditional dishes like sardines in 'saor' (fried sardines in an onion, currant, and pine nut sauce) and Venetian style liver.
The skilled Glass Blowers are the founders of this fair sized island called Murano. In 1291, the furnaces were moved off of the main island to Murano in case they ever caught fire, making sure the main city of Venice would still be preserved. To this day, Murano is still known for the beautiful glass works of art, with many stores allowing tours and on-looking crowds to watch the intense production of these delicate pieces. Many quaint restaurants and shops line the quiet streets of Murano, located just a short 15 minute boat ride from Venice.
Encased in a trapezoidal shape by the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale , Museo Correr, and the Torre dell’Orologio, your first view of the breathtaking Piazza San Marco will never be forgotten. Popular with photo snapping tourists and children chasing and feeding the pigeons, Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark’s Square, is the biggest (at 175 meters long) and liveliest square in the center of Venice. Expensive restaurants and shops line this square which hosts many of the city’s festivals (Carnival in February, for one) and concerts. Also enclosed within the square is the San Marco Campanile with the Palazzo dei Prigioni and the Bridge of Sighs just a few steps away. As one of the main attractions of Venice, it is not to be missed! Basilica di San Marco
Even before arriving in front of the Byzantine styled Basilica di San Marco, her many magnificent domes can be seen from afar announcing their presence and status in Venice. The story goes, that the remains of St. Mark were brought, or stolen – depending on your point of view, by the Venetians from Alexandria to rest in this elaborate burial place back in the 9th century. On closer observation, you will notice not all of the columns on the Basilica di San Marco are the same (some green marble, others not) due to trading with incoming merchants for the materials to build and decorate this amazing edifice. History throughout the centuries is woven into the world-wide known Basilica di San Marco, including the originally looted Bronze horses being stolen by Napoleon, and then returned again in 1815.
Located in the very same Piazza San Marco, for which it is named after, the San Marco Campanile, or St. Mark’s Bell tower, soars 98.5 meters high with spectacular panoramic views of the orange rooftops of Venice and on a clear day, the snow-capped Alps seem at your very fingertips. After paying at the entrance, one of the biggest elevators you’ll find in Italy (a normal sized elevator for Americans) swiftly brings you up the San Marco Campanile to the observatory area where wind speeds seem to increase exponentially. Originally constructed in 1173, the San Marco Campanile has had many varied functions throughout the years such as a lighthouse for incoming ships on the lagoon, a means of tying up prisoners for torture during Medieval times, and an observatory for Galileo to demonstrate his telescope in 1609. After suddenly collapsing in 1902, the San Marco Campanile was reconstructed from its remaining base, a collection of marble sculpted storyboards called La Loggetta, and has been firmly standing since its re-inauguration in 1912.
Ponte di Rialto is Venice’s most famous bridge arching over the Grande Canal, known as a commercial area of the city with the busy Rialto Market nearby, filled with bright colored fruits, vegetables and fish (only open in the morning), and souvenir shops lined up and down the bridge itself. After its construction in 1591, the Rialto Bridge remained as the only bridge connecting the two sides of “the fish” called Venice for almost 300 years. The Ponte di Rialto is perfect for shopping or strolling along with gelato in hand while gazing off the bridge at the passing gondoliers and boats, and postcard perfect shots of the orange buildings & green water against the pink sky at sunset.
Barovier is the name of the Venetian family which founded the business in the fourteenth century and which still owns it today. Among the beautiful creations are enchanting Venetian chandeliers, vases and glasses - all either from the historical back catalogue or in contemporary designs, and all crafted by famous designers. Some of the reissued pieces are still extremely up to date; many come out as limited editions.
From milky opalescent to crystal clear, all kinds of glass, including chandeliers, vases, glasses and mirrors, in various styles and forms are displayed at this museum. Visitors can also watch a glassworker in action. Be sure to visit the glass workshops and famous glass factories in Murano and buy a piece of authentic Murano glass. It is expensive, but it is also worth a lot, as the work of a master glassworker is extremely difficult. Admission to this museum is free.
This restaurant is in one of Venice's more hidden-away streets - if tourists happen to come here it is usually because they are lost. It is very small, and has a welcoming atmosphere. The cuisine is traditional Venetian food, this means fish, vegetables, pasta with fish, and excellent desserts such as tiramisu, and biscuits with wine.
Elegantly restored and furnished in complete Venetian style near Rialto Bridge and Saint Mark’s Square, this small hotel is just a short walk from the Accademia Gallery, the Fenice Theatre, Palazzo Grassi, as well as other major Venice attractions and principal monuments. Amenities include a charming breakfast room, laundry service, currency exchange, and baby-sitting service on request, as well as special rates at the Saint Mark’s Square car park. Even if its worldwide repute brings with it many tourists, Venice is still a very magical destination. Moreover, the intimate atmosphere of the nearby areas and of the hotel itself will make you feel at home.
Ercole Moretti
Day Note
Hiring a guide may not seem like an obvious way to discover a new city. A guide is an invaluable resource for taking in as much of the local culture as possible in a short amount of time. Whether you use the guide service listed here or another one, try to do a little research first to get a good one. Also, important for today is the opera at La Fenice. This is something that you should schedule well in advance. The theatre season fills up quickly and you may not get seats, especially for more popular shows. After your guided tour of Venice you could visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses many of the Venetian masters. Also, recommended are the Palazzo Ducale and the Ponte dei Sospiri. After the opera, head to Il Paradiso Perduto for late night fun.
Legends, passions, hopes and despair form the emotional history of the ever famous Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs, a must see for every visitor to Venice. Connecting the Palazzo delle Prigioni (Palazzo of the Prisoners) and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), the Bridge of Sighs is where prisoners going from their trial and conviction in the Doge’s Palace, would look across the bridge at their last glimpse of freedom before entering the prison and let out a sigh. Over the years it has gained a more hopeful out look being known as the bridge where if two lovers kiss under it, most likely in a romantic gondola, their love will last. To “walk the last walk” over the Bridge of Sighs, you will need to take a tour of the Palazzo Ducale or Palazzo delle Prigioni.
Containing the world’s finest collection of Venetian paintings, the Galleria dell’ Accademia houses works of art by Mantegna, Bellini, Carpaccio, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Tiepolo and Canaletto – arranged for the most part in chronological order from room to room. A sophisticated tour through Byzantine, Gothic, Pre-Renaissance, High Renaissance, and Baroque art, the Galleria dell’Accademia is easily reached by crossing over the wooden Academia Bridge, having been named after the Galleria itself, residing on the Grande Canal.
A Guide in Venice helps you discover, explore and delve into the details of the histories and mysteries of this paradise on water. All three tour guides, each one a through professional and a true Venetian at heart, can help you know Venice beyond your personal exploration and borrowed knowledge. Although the guides prefer lone tourists or groups of about fifteen or so - tours for larger groups can also be arranged. First-timers to Venice can acquaint themselves with important landmarks and local culture and delights. While obsessed lovers of the city are sure to find great company in the tour guides as fellow travelers with whom you can analyze and discuss the joys and beauty of this unforgettable experience!
Located next to the Basilica di San Marco, the Doge's Palace has been the symbol of Venice's political life and public administration for hundreds of years. The building has been continuously evolving into its present form since 1340, even though its fundations date back to the early Middle Ages (10th century). Considered a masterpiece of the gothic style, it has been destroyed many times, most notably during the fire of 1106. It was rebuilt by Barbarossa in 1177 and modified over the time by the different Dogi reigning in Venice. More than a palace, the Palazzo Ducale is an extensive infrastructure, comprising the apartments of the doge (often used as an exhibition space), the government quarters and the palace of justice. When visiting the palace, many parts are worth the detour. In the Museo dell'Opera, you'll see the remaining pieces of the building's medieval facades as well as a collection of sculptures dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries. Before heading towards the Doge's appartments, you'll enter the magnificent courtyard. Take some time to walk alongside the Loggias to enjoy the various angles of the Palazzo. In addition to the Institutional Chambers and the Prisons, take some time to see the great collection of weapons and armaments in the Armoury.
This old trattoria is only a few metres from the Rialto market (a fish market), so it has a good supply of fresh fish all year round. However, it is said that this old world trattoria has lost a bit of its charm, and is too full of hungry tourists these days. In general, the food is fresh and better off-season and the prices are amazingly low for Venice standards. The specialty is Black Squid Ink Risotto, which is excellent and so are most other dishes that attracts loyal patrons to visit with stunning regularity.
A typical Venetian tavern, with wooden tables and chairs, the Il Paradiso Perduto is a casual place that sells filled rolls, light snacks and good wine. Opens earlier for lunch on the weekend. It's an ideal spot for a nighttime drink if you want to get out.
The Palafenice has the formidable task of replacing one of the theatres with the best acoustics in the world. There are continuous improvements for the comfort of the public and for the acoustics so as to create, as far as possible, a real concert hall. Its only flaw, to which there is no solution is its external noise, which is so great that you can even hear bus drivers' shouts from a nearby bus stop. There is a shuttle service from Piazzale Roma and Mestre at the beginning and end of each show. Ticket office for Teatro La Fenice - near to the central seat of Cassa di Risparmio, Campo S.Luca, Venezia.
Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)
Day Note
On your last day you will most certainly want to go back to San Marco for more photos. You should also spend some time away from the areas you have already seen. Visit L’Arsenale and the gothic church Madonna dell’Orto. To round out your study of Venetian art visit the Museo Correr. Before leaving be sure to visit Piazza San Polo and take a ride on a gondola.
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