What to do in Venice

We had some friends over last night who are certified Italy experts. They gave us the low-down on the Venetian culture, what to expect and what to do. We will be spending two days in Venice on our own and then two more on the cruise. Only 16 more days to go!

Here are some of their "practical" tips:

1. Never pay more than 2 euros for gelato. It will be one of our food groups and there's no need to pay too much.

2. Bancomat = ATM. Just withdraw money from an ATM (the fee is usually around 2% depending on your bank). It is best to pay in cash for everything. They will laugh at you if you try to pay for your gelato or espresso with a credit card.

3. Don't tip unless you're feeling really, really, really nice. Your tip is included in the "service charge" or "pane e coperto."

4. Eat as much pizza as you can although it will probably be better in Rome.

5. Everyone goes to Venice (I thought we were more original than that...) and so the prices are higher. Just because a restaurant is more expensive, it doesn't mean it is nicer or has better food. It just means all the tourists goes there.

6. Take lots of pictures. They are guaranteed to be phenomenal because everything in Venice is stunning. (Maybe I can be a photographer...?)

7. Their number one piece of advice was to just get lost. Follow the winding streets and just see where you end up. That is exactly what I imagined doing. (I am too much of a romantic.)

[caption id="attachment_368" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Venetian side street[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_369" align="aligncenter" width="463"] Venetian side street[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_370" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Venetian residential canal[/caption]

In the entire city, there are only three signs. One to the train station, one to St.Mark's basilica, and one to the Grand Canal. That's it. This explains the "getting lost" mentality because it will happen whether you plan on it or not.

[caption id="attachment_372" align="aligncenter" width="554"] confusing Venetian signs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="554"] St. Mark's Basilica[/caption]

It is called St. Mark's because the first temporary basilica was built with relics of St. Mark that were supposedly stolen from Alexandria. Then, when it was time for a more permanent structure, this basilica was built. It is known as the "church of gold" because of the gilded Byzantine mosaics.

The area around St. Mark's is called the "Piazza San Marco." It is filled with all sorts of up-scale shops.

The Grand Canal is one of the main waterways in Venice. You can travel by water bus (seen above), a private water taxi, or a gondola (what I am hoping to do!).

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Grand Canal[/caption]

How romantic would this be? Maybe with some gelato?

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="553"] gondola in the Grand Canal[/caption]

The souvenior of choice from Venice is glass or a mask. You can take a ferry to Murano, the "glass island."

[caption id="attachment_376" align="aligncenter" width="642"] Murano[/caption]

Maybe we will pick up one of these? A focal point for our living room??

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Murano glass[/caption]

And who knows, maybe it'll snow. I think all my Christmas dreams would be complete.

[caption id="attachment_378" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Venice snow[/caption]

xoxo Kelsey