Welcome to another post of helping a reader travel! This weekly post is to help readers get a slew of travel advice from thousand of Deals We Like blog readers. Thus far, we’ve been able to help other readers travel to Maui, The Greek Islands, Pacific Coast Highway, Argentina /Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, Cape Cod & The Islands, Iceland, Geneva, Canadian Rockies, Rome, Israel, Peru / Inca Trail , Stockholm, Chicago, Paris, Hanoi, Austin, Puerto Rico, Bruges, Salzburg, Istanbul, Las Vegas, Jamaica, India/Golden Triangle, Auckland, Singapore, Moscow, The Oregon Coast,Seattle, Portland, Hawaii Islands,Alaska Skiing, Brazil, Prague, Budapest, Paraguay, Cabo San Lucas, Edinburgh, San Diego, Hilton Head, Dubrovnik, Tanzania, The Seychelles, Belize, Miami, Vienna,London, Tahiti, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Burgundy, Charleston, and Savannah.
Last week many readers wrote in asking for Italy in general due to the sub $150 fares from Newark to Milan. While I already did a post dedicated to Rome last year, I wanted to hit on the other major tourist cities in Italy as well to help those readers that will be heading to Italy soon, and for cheap!
This week is going to be dedicated on Venice. Here are some things I am sure readers will want suggestions on:
- Where to stay?
- How many days to stay
- Sites to see
- Recommended restaurants
- Anything else you might think is valuable!
If you’ve ever been to Italy, specifically Venice, let’s help out many Deals We Like readers!
Also, if you have any upcoming travel where you need some help, feel free to email me at dealswelike@gmail.com to be a featured “Help a Reader Travel” Monday special. Thanks!
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We’ve been to Venice several times this year, and most recently stayed at Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/
and recommend it highly – helpful friendly staff, good location, gorgeous rooms and a lovely little courtyard where we enjoyed an abundant buffet breakfast. Another favorite is Hotel Flora in the San Marco district, which we’ve used for our spring tours… you can see a few photos in this blog post http://musicandmarkets.blogspot.com/2011/05/venice-from-on-high.html which includes some other hints about enjoying Venice’s sights and tastes.
I just came back from Venice myself, here are my suggestions: Place to stay:A Apostoli Palace (B&B)- in a quiet area, but close to everything including the islands, friendly staff, and a great breakfast included. Day to stay: At least 2. Go to the islands on one day- don’t miss Burano (I would suggest going there first), it is better than Murano in my opinion, and then go to Murano. Torcello is so/so. Take the Secrets’ Itinerary tour of the Doges Palace, and take a quick tour up Torre dell’Orologio, the clock tower, which will give you a view of the entire city. My other piece of advice is to get lost in the city, it is fun to find all the alleyways, and you are never truly ‘lost.’ My favorite restaurant there was the Osteria Giorgione a Venezia (http://www.osteriagiorgione.it/) superb food. On Burano we had lunch at Bar Sport which was good. My last piece of advice- expect to pay a lot for meals unless you get sandwiches to go, and avoid St. Mark’s Sq. for food at all costs.
Hi, I’m Max, I’m italian and I live in Venice… So feel fre to give my mail adress so I can answer to all of the traveller’s questions
Ciaooooo
My mom and I took advantage of the flight deal from EWR to MXP. We are staying one night in Milan, two in Florence, and back to Milan for a day trip the Cinque Terre. Any advice on Milan and Florence is also appreciated.
I agree with Shannon, Osteria Giorgione a Venezia was my favorite restaurant there too, the food was excellent as was the service.
It’s been a few years, but I would certainly recommend the Hotel Danieli (SPG property). Well located and a joy to stay at. We enjoyed dining at Antico Pignolo, which is off the beaten path. Harry’s 2, which is a bit off the beaten path as well. Though some folks say they don’t like Venice, my wife and I fell in love with the city and can’t wait to return. I think you need at least a week to experience everything the city has to offer but it can certainly be done in smaller chunks than that.
Three years ago I spent two weeks in Venice and blogged my trip. I rented a room from an Italian woman, so I can’t offer advice on hotels. But here are my other recommendations.
Restaurants:
Vedova. The only restaurant I had to wait to get a table at. It’s great. Close to Ca’ D’Oro. With your back to the Ca’ D’Oro vaporetto stop, walk straight ahead. Eventually you will walk in through the front door.
Enoiteca Mascareta. Try the Burrata di bufala caprese. In the Castello district near Campo Santa Maria Formosa. I think its on Ruga Giuffa.
Pane Vino e San Daniele. 2861 Dorsoduro. On Calle Lunga S. Barnaba near Ca’ Rezzonico.
Al Fontego. In a corner of Campo Santa Margherita. A great lunch place with good salads, vegetables, and panini.
Paradiso Perduto. A lively place at 2640 Cannaregio, even late at night. On Fondamenta de la Misericordia.
Majer, for coffee, pastries, and arancini (fried balls of rice, ask for it “caldo” (hot)). Near Campo Santa Margherita on Rio Tera Canal.
Shopping
The island of Murano, for Murano glass. You can also see a demonstration at any of the workshops. Murano glass is sold all over Venice, but I like buying it at the source.
Vizio Virtu is a chocolate shop that sells every type, from ice cream to candy to hot chocolate. It’s all made on site. 2898a San Polo, on Calle del Campaniel near San Toma.
There are a lot of shops around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto, and they are very expensive. The further you get from these places, the lower the prices. If you want to stroll down a street and shop, try Strada Nuova in Cannaregio.
Things to do:
You must tour the Grand Canal by vaporetto. Take the No. 1 (stops at every stop) or No. 2 (express) vaporetto either from Piazzale Roma to San Marco, or from San Marco to Piazzale Roma. Try to sit in the front, and bring your camera! One vaporetto trip costs about 6.50 euros. If you are staying more than a few days, you can buy a pass that is more economical.
You must go to St. Mark’s Basilica (which is free) and the Doge’s Palace (not free). They are both on Piazza San Marco and you can do them together.
You must sip a spritz con Aperol (sweet) or spritz con Campari (bitter) while sitting at a cafe or bar along the Grand Canal. I recommend the bar Bancogiro, near the Rialto Market.
You must stay at least one night, and you must see Venice at night. Wander through the streets to Pizza San Marco and listen to the dueling orchestras there. Dancing on the square is encouraged!
You must explore the back streets of Venice. Put your map away, pick a direction, and get lost. I can’t stress this enough.
Watch your belongings (e.g., purse, carry-on) with extra care at the Venice airport. I was the victim of a well-run diversion wherein they pinched my purse (containing wallet and passport). When I reported it to the airport security office, they were not at all surprised — apparently it happens frequently.