by Clyde Dennis

When considering destinations in Europe to go on vacation Italy certainly should be at the top of any list. And when considering a visit to Italy, Rome and Venice are good places to start your trip.

Rome

With it’s very prominent place in world history Rome is the capital city of Italy. When traveling to Rome you’ll find such historical locations and sights like the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Church of Saint Agnese, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps just to name a few of it’s landmarks.

Rome is a city rich indeed with historically significant landmarks and attractions. It’s been said that it’s nearly impossible to turn around anywhere in Rome and not see something an Emperor built, captured or destroyed.

Now, for those willing to risk potential wrath there are also new Divinci Code tours, which take you to the locations found in the very popular and now world famous book.

Rome is a city anyone with an interest in history at all simply has to visit at least once in their lifetime. As a city it is one of few places on this great earth that is quite simply best experienced rather than read about.

Venice

Venice is fondly referred to as the floating city. This tag even though it is apparently sinking. If you’ve seen Venice in movies or television shows, the depictions are accurate. Piazza San Marco looks exactly the same, birds and all. The Grande Canal is exactly that with incredible houses lining it and boats putting about, up down this water way.

Built on mudflats and in a lagoon it doesn’t really have much room to grow. It is very much a city that seems frozen in time.

When first arriving in Venice you will of course first want to conquer the usual tourist attractions. Once this has been done though it will be time to get serious about seeing Venice.

One of the best ways to accomplish this is to stand in front of your hotel or hostel, determine in which direction the tourist attractions lie and start walking in the opposite direction. While you may feel like you’re driving the wrong way on a freeway for a few minutes, you’ll eventually start getting into real Venice.

Once this real and very different side of Venice begins to appear you will no doubt love it. You’ll find little cafes filled with local citizens happy to converse with you. In fact, you’ll find that as a tourist bypassing the standard tourist route the Venetians will tend to hold you in very high regard. Be warned you’re will before long find yourself being introduced to everyone in sight by these enthusiastic people. As they welcome you into their very friendly community.

While Rome and Venice are excellent travel destinations, you can’t really go wrong anywhere in Italy.

About the Author

www.lifeinitaly.com

More about Italy Travel, Rome and Venice:
Discover even more about Italy Travel what your fellow travellers recommend to visit while in Italy and what to do:
http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/rome/venice/

In the Italy Travel Notes second videocast we are going to discover the beauty and romanticism of Venice

Videocast 3 Italy Travel Notes presents: Venice

(Just right-click on a link, choose “Save Target As…” and save it to your PC and enjoy)
To subscribe to our podcast series via iTunes please click on the image below and when the iTunes window opens – click the “Subscribe” button.

We hope you enjoy our podcasts and videocasts as much as we do creating them for you!

More about Venice:
Discover even more what Venice has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers recommend to visit while you are there – click here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/venice/

By: Douglas Scott

Padua is a large town in the Veneto region in north-eastern of Italy. Padua is home to an ancient university. The historical hub of town is still very evocative of the days when the city and its university flourished in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance as a centre of art and learning.

Padua is located on the plains of Veneto, approximately to 30 kilometres from the city of Venice. Despite being on the main land, the city is situated close to the routes of many major rivers flowing down from the nearby hills and mountains to the Adriatic sea, and the thermal resorts of the nearby Colle Euganei hills. The town has a picturesque network of arcaded streets, numerous bridges, and large communal plazas. Padua is an elegant town

Shoppers head to the Prato delle Valle on the third Sunday of every month, when more than 200 antiques and collectibles vendors set up shop for the day. The square, one of the largest in all Europe. The Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dell’ Erbe, the sites of Padua’s daily markets, are lined by bars, restaurants and shops.

The University of Padua, is one of the oldest and most well known universities in Europe. The University is situated in Padua, Italy and was founded in 1222. It is between the earliest of the European universities and the second oldest in Italy.

As a university city, Padua has a large, very visible student population, so this creates a young, vibrant atmosphere and the city has undoubtedly the best night life within reach of Padua.

Prato della Valle is a great oval form square surrounded by the channel. It is the largest square in Padova and one of the largest in Europe. There are many sculptures on the channel sides. These sculptures are representations of art and culture personalities. The third Sunday of every month there is an open air market.

The Euganean Hills are an essential and true mine of wild herbs, excellent wines and oils. The area possess thirteen D.O.C. wines, the quality carefully determined and certified by the Consorzio Vini Colli Euganei. The area also has a long tradition of oil production. The oil has a especially fruity flavour and an after taste that hints of sweet almonds

Located in the bustling town, the Cappella degli Scrovegni is home to a rich collection of 14th century European paintings, including the most complete series of frescoes by Giotto. These are organised in three main themes, the Virgin Mary’s life the lives of Joachim and Anna and Christ’s life and death.
A Quality Article From: http://www.articledesk.info

Douglas Scott writesand works for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Padua Villa Rental Site

More about Verona and the region of Veneto:
Discover even more about what Verona has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the city here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/

by Michele De Capitani

Verona, is a splendid city of more than 260.000 inhabitants, in the northern of Italy. The capital it is one of the seven provinces that characterize the region of Veneto, risen on the sides of the Adige river and far from Garda lake about thirty kilometers.

Yield famous and popular all over the world from the famous tragedy of William Shakespeare ” The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” , it is a coveted destination from the tourists of every corner of the world. Indeed, the capital of Veneto, offers a lot of opportunities starting from the cultural point of view, to the culinary and the entertainment.

In particolar, who wants to visit Verona for a short time (also of 2-3 days), cannot miss some fundamental appointments that characterise this laughing city in the heart of the Veneto region. In these terms, we can list what the tourist/visitor of the weekend must absolutely see and try for really living the spirit of the city: * Arena di Verona: “small” masterpiece of the roman architecture, it is still in good conditions and is used for concerts and other manifestations * Piazza delle Erbe(Square of the Grass): it rises where the ancient Roman Forum resided, is the heart of the city * Palazzo del comune (Palace of the Municipality): with a nice romantic garden * Palazzo della prefettura (Palace of the Prefecture): ancient residence of Scaligeri * Santa Anastasia: ghotic church erected from the Dominicans * Duomo (Dome): elegant construction dedicated to Santa Maria Matricolare * Balcony of Giulietta: small, but somewhat evocative where also is found the famous statue of Giulietta * Arc of the Giovi: another direct evidence of the Roman domination * In the pauses, to be based calmly in a tavern and to savour a Recioto di Soave (typical white wine of Verona) with cold cuts and the typical polenta of Veneto region.

Where to sleep in Verona

Of course, there are many touristic structures that allow to sleep in Verona or near the city. To such purpose, the Gardenia Hotel is situated in San Michele area, ideal for passing days or vacations around Veneto, above all for visiting Verona without having to spend the night in a hotel of the city center. This 3 stars hotel, offers refined services like cable TV, safe in each room and air conditioning, a part from the prestigious inner restaurant.

The Gardenia Hotel has a comfortable private parking and offers cordiality and hospitality to all its customers, both to businessmen and families on vacation. Moreover, the hotel website (www.hotelristorantegardenia.it) offers the chance to the Internet customers to reserve on-line directly their own rooms for the night’s passing also at the Hotel San Michele (at Verona periphery, near to the historical city center).

About the Author
This article was written by Michele De Capitani (web marketing) with support from Hotel in Verona. For any information, please visit Hotel in San Michele.

More about Verona and the region of Veneto:
Discover even more about what Verona has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the city here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/

by Elena Reboni

The time of the famous Venetian carnival is closing up. It`s just the right time to recall Venice, its attractions and must-sees, its rich history and the cotemporary status of one of the world`s most popular tourist destinations.

The first thing that comes to mind when speaking about Venice is “the city of canals“. Its amount really strikes 150! Don`t forget about 409 bridges in Venice and you wouldn`t be surprised to hear that in Venice there are no cars and buses. You can reach any point by water or by feet (Venice is not very big). Big boats called vaporetto play the role of the public transport in Venice. Small private boats are taxies. However, gondola has become the transport symbol of the city. It`s a narrow, usually black, boat for water walks. It`s an expensive pleasure, but it`s the only way to feel the authentic atmosphere of Venice.

The whole city is an art masterpiece; there are no ordinary, ugly buildings. Almost every structure seems to be a hotel. Even if it`s a private house you surely can rent an apartment there. It`s a city making living out of tourists, so the prices are high.

The centre and the heart of the city is San Marco square. Long ago Napoleon called it “the most elegant dining-room in Europe“. The square really looks like salon. It`s surrounded by the galleries and San Marco Cathedral. Between gallery and cathedral lies the exit to lagoon, very beautiful place. St Mark’s Square is located in one of the lowest parts of the city, so is always the first to be covered in water when the acqua alta (high tide) arrives.

The place is also famous for its cafes “Florian“, “Lavena“, “Quardi“. “Florian“ is considered to be the oldest caf? in Europe. Antique furniture, excellent coffee and live music are awaiting for you! Doge`s palace or Palazzo Ducale (in Italian) is an ancient building hiding medieval secrets and legends.

Rialto Bridge is one of the everlasting symbols of Venice. In Middle Ages there were several wooden bridges, but all of them were burnt. The present, stone bridge was built in the end of the XVI century. On the bridge you can find a lot of souvenir and jewelry shops.

So, now let`s get back to the point. Venetian Carnival. It`s on of the most popular carnivals in the world and shares its fame only with the carnival in Rio-de-Janeiro, although they are completely different. Venetian carnival covers the whole city. Colorful festive crowds fill the streets and the squares of Venice. The origin of Carnival dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1296 the last day before the Lent was proclaimed holiday. This year the Carnival takes place from 18th till 28th December. The theme of the carnival 2006 is “The Dragon and the Lion“, all the events and theatre performances are connected with the Chinese culture. The program is very diverse from the shows on the streets for children to the luxurious parties in palaces for the adults. Costume and mask is a must!

For booking a hotel, please, go to Venice hotels page

Article source: Expert Articles

More about Venice:
Discover even more about what Venice has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the city here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/

by Jim Johnson

Planning a trip to one of the most intriguing and inspiring cities in the world? Venice, Italy is that city and also is known as a city full of romance and history. The city allows no cars and the streets that meander along the canals are perfect for exploring. You will find that there are 150 canals in Venice and there are also more that 400 bridges that connect 117 pieces of land.

When you plan to come to the city of Venice you may want to take the train. The Santa Lucia Train Station is located on the northwestern edge of the city. You could also take a bus but it is not as convenient. Remember when packing for Venice that there are no taxis or cars so keep the packing to a minimum and make sure you use travel bags with wheels for ease of travel.

Walking is one of the best ways to see Venice. If this is not an option for you, never fear, you do have other choices. Travel by boat is a possibility and it is also an fairly inexpensive way to get around. The vaporetti is the same thing as a boat or ferry and it is a great way to maneuver the canals. Using this mode of transportation allows you to stop at many different places so you can see lots of attractions. If money is not a consideration you may want to travel by water taxi or gondola.

When it is time to shop you will want to pay attention to several of the specialties of Venice. There is Venetian glass which comes from the island of Murano. This glass is unique and makes a wonderful keepsake or souvenir. Carnevale masks and watercolors of the area are popular gifts or you may prefer to shop for the lace made in Venice or the beautiful marbled paper.

The most popular area of Venice for sightseeing is San Marco Square. There are upscale shops, sidewalk eateries and great photographic opportunities. This is an expensive place to shop and eat so be prepared. For music lovers it is one of the best places to enjoy live music in the evenings.

The Grand Canal is the main thoroughfare of the city of Venice. There you will see beautiful buildings and many kinds of boats. The main bridge that crosses the Grand Canal is the Rialto Bridge and it is over 400 years old. You can also find the Rialto Market which is a great place to shop for interesting foods.

If you enjoy museums you should stop at the Galleria delAccademia which is one of Italys best museums. There are 24 rooms located in 3 historic buildings. There are often many people who want to visit this museum so it is best if you arrive early.

For the ice cream lovers: we have not forgotten you, nor has Venice! There are gelaterias everywhere and their wares are absolutely scrumptious. It may even be the best ice cream in the world!

Romance and history: have it all in Venice, Italy!

You may publish this article on your website or ezine providing you leave the article “as is” and retain the resource box with live link back to the Search Italy Hotels website

About the author:
You can find budget hotels in Venice by going to the Search Italy Hotels website http://www.searchitalyhotels.com/Venice-1.shtml Our website also showcases Venice vacation packages, car rentals, flights to Venice and last minute deals.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

More about Venice:
Discover even more about what Venice has to offer and find out what your fellow travelers think of the city at http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/venice/

by Nomadrick Chapo

Where does one begin to start when discussing Italy. Well, if you intend to travel there, Rome and Venice are good places to start.

Rome

Perhaps you`ve heard of it? It goes without saying that Rome has a rather prominent past. Lets see, in Rome you will find [deep breath] the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Church of Saint Agnese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and a guy name Allassandro. Just making sure you`re paying attention. Indeed, Rome is filthy with historically significant attractions. It seems you can`t turn around without bumping into something an Emperor built, captured or destroyed. For those willing to risk potential wrath, there are also the new Divinci Code tours, which take you to the locations found in the book.

In all serious, Rome is a city you should visit at least once in your life. No article could ever do it justice, so I`ll just stop here.

Venice

I fondly refer to Venice as the floating city even though it is apparently sinking. If you`ve seen Venice is movies or televisions shows, the depictions are accurate. Piazza San Marco looks exactly the same, birds and all. The Grande Canal is, well, a grand canal with incredible houses lining it and boats putting up down this water way. Built on mudflats in a lagoon, the city doesn`t really have much room to grow. It just seems paralyzed in time.

Once you`ve conquered the tourist attractions, it will be time to get serious about Venice. The best way to do this is stand in front of your hotel or hostel, determine which direction the tourist attractions lie and start walking in the opposite direction. While you may feel like you`re driving the wrong way on a freeway for a few minutes, you eventually start getting into real Venice.

An entirely different side of Venice will appear and you`ll love it. You`ll find little cafes with locals happy to talk to you [and non-tourist prices]. In fact, the Venetians will tend to hold you in high regard since you`re a tourist who is bypassing the tourist areas. This, of course, will logically lead to a whirl of introductions to this nephew, that son of a brother and so on. Next thing you know, you`ll be complaining about Italian politicians and how things used to be better in the past.

While Rome and Venice are excellent travel destinations, you can`t really go wrong in Italy. For the adventurous, set your itinerary with the old map on a wall and dart technique.

About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com – makers of travel journals. Writing journals are the perfect travel accessories. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com to read more travel articles and travelogues.

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

More about Venice and Rome:
Discover even more about what Venice and Rome have to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of these spots here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/

By Michael Thomson

Venice

Venezia, La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, the Most Serene Republic of Venice is the city of canals, churches and palaces that captures the hearts and minds of all who visit. Venice is home to wonderful tourist destinations famous the world over – St Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs – but the true joy of Venice is found just wandering around and finding architectural and artistic wonders around every corner.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Venice is served by two airport, Marco Polo and Trevino. Transport into the city is by bus or from the latter by water bus.

Trains terminate and depart from Santa Lucia train station on the west side of Venice. The station fronts the Grand Canal where water buses (vaporetti) or water taxis are available.

Cars and coaches arrive on the far western edge of Venice at Piazzale Roma. There are no roads in Venice so from here on it’s by boat or on foot. Venice is the World’s only truly pedestrian city and walking is a serendipitous adventure of discovering vistas in the magnificent urban landscape.

Ships arrive at the Stazione Marittima.

Water buses are best for longer trips and for visiting the islands. There are also the more expensive water taxis. Gondolas are really just for short romantic hops and having your photograph taken.

Climate

Summer is hot in Venice. Temperatures average 27°C but high humidity results in a close, uncomfortable atmosphere. Sometimes, hot sirocco winds sweep in from the south. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures ranging from 0-7 C. Snow is rare owing to the city’s lagoon location. Spring is fresh and clear though rainfall can be heavy. Mists are common in late autumn.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Venice hotels

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

Venice has the character of a stage set so its many festivals are spectacular.
* The first event of the year is the Regata delle Befana held on 6 January.
* The next month sees the major event in the Venetian calendar namely Carnevale,
which is a masked and costumed extravaganza.
* May sees the Festa della Sensa (Feast of the Ascension) which celebrates the Sposalizio del Mar (Wedding with the Sea).
* The arts fest is held every odd-numbered year in June in the Giardini Pubblici.
* Festa del Redentore in July features a regatta and fireworks festival.
* The Venice International Film Festival is held from late August into September

Turin

Turin has been called the European capital of Baroque due to the style of many of its palaces and churches. In many ways Turin differs from the typical Italian city. It exudes a strong French influence with its broad boulevards with white buildings. With the Po River flowing through the city, and the Italian Alps standing in the distance, it’s a place of great charm.

Transport:getting there and getting away

By plane

Caselle Airport lies north of the city and is connected to the city by bus and taxi. Turin is also easily reached from Malpensa airport.

Turin has two main railway stations, Porta Nuova and Porta Susa. The former is for long and mid-range trips the latter mainly for local trains.

Turin has an efficient public transport system of buses and trams and an underground line was opened for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

The City of Turin has recently established a network of bicycle paths throughout the city.

Climate:

Turin is gloomy with rain and fog in the winter temperatures tending to remain single digit. The summer months between May and September are milder though rain is still common.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Turin hotels

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

* April sees the Festival Internazionale di Film con Tematiche Omosessuali is a five-day international gay and lesbian film festival.

*Cioccola in early March is a two-week celebration of cocoa. Turin see cocoa tastings, sculpture competitions and stalls around the city centre.

*Salone Internazionale del Gusto is a five-day festival of food and wine held biannually. The event is international in flavour with traditional producers from around the world showcasing and selling their wares in a giant street market.

Rome

Steeped in history and rich with monuments famous the world over – the Vatican, the Colosseum – Rome stands as a captivating symbol of history and culture.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport is 16 miles southwest of the city with the Stazione Termini direct train running hourly into the city. The main bus station is located outside the Stazione Termini. Buses run from 6:00 a.m to midnight with some all-night services. The Rome Metro service has two lines, both of which go through Termini. It runs from 5:30 a.m to 11.30 p.m. and 0:30 on Saturdays.

Climate:

The climate is mild with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. However July and August can be oppressively hot, November is often rainy, and December to February can be chill.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Rome.

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

*Holy Week (Easter) is time when Catholics from all over the world arrive on pilgrimages to visit the city’s churches and to hear the Pope at the Vatican. On Good Friday a procession of the Cross goes from the Colosseum to Capitoline Hill.
*The Estate Romana (Roman Summer), is at the heart of Roman social life from June to September. It’s a time when the city reverberates to free concerts, street theatre and outdoor cinema.
*In September museums, galleries and shops stay open all night from 20:00-08:00 on the occasion called Notte Bianca (white night). It’s also a time of free concerts and other happenings all over the city.

About the author:
Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Venice hotels

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

More about Rome and Venice:
Discover even more about Italy Travel what your fellow travellers recommend to visit while in Italy and what to do:
http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/rome/venice/

by Karen Bryan

Introduction

Vicenza is situated between Padova and Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is known as the city of Palladio. The 16th century architect Palladio, who worked in the city, is one of the most influential architects of all time. It is one of the wealthiest cities in Italy.

Unique Points

Vicenza has one the highest concentrations of historic buildings of any Italian city. The influence of Palladio is significant in the city. His best known works include the Basillica, the Tetro Olimpico, the world’s oldest surviving indoor theatre, and the Villa Rotonda. However don’t be put off and think that this is just a city for architecture buffs. The city centre is fairly compact and it is a pleasure just to wander round and soak up the atmosphere. The city is also famous for goldsmiths who were first referred to in the city statutes in 1339. There are around 1000 local firms producing half of Italy’s goldware.

History

The town was declared a Roman municipability in 49 BC. It was referred to as the “mainland Venice” during Venetian rule between 15th and 18th century. It was occupied by the French in 1796 and the Austrians in 1797. In the period 1806 – 1813 it became part of the Italian state, then back to Austria before returning to the fold of a unified Italy in 1848. The city was the headquarters of the First Armed Gaurds in the First World War. The city was badly damaged by air raids during the Second World War, however it has been carefully restored to its former glory.

Getting there

Venice Marco Polo, Verona and Treviso are the nearest airports. Vicenza is on the main rail line from Milan to Venice, so has a frequent train service. It is easily accessible from the A4, the main Milan to Venice motorway. If you come by car, it would be better to find a hotel outside the city centre, as there are traffic restrictions around the city centre.

What to see

VIlla |Rotondo Palladio moved to Vicenza when he was 16. He was taken under the wing of Count Trissino, a great admirer of classical architecture. Trissimo even changed his protogees name from Della Gondola to Palladio in homage to the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Pallas Athene. Wealthy Venetians coveted residences in the quiet countryside as a refuge from Venice, and Palladio was able to service this need with the construction of his magnificent villas. The Bascilica was one of Palladio’s first major projects. His remit was to improve the old town hall. He achieved this by the addition of galleries around the buidling, open on one side supported by columns, known as loggia. The Palazzo Chiericati has been used as the civic museum since the 19th century. It houses an gallery dedicated to Vicentene artists. Teatro Olimpico was Palladio’s last project, completed after this death by his son and Scamozzi. Palladio once again sought inspiration from the classical period when he was commissioned to design a permanent home for theatrical performances. The Olimpico is the sole suriving Renassiance theatre in the world. It is still used for performances but only during the Summer as there is not heating in the building. T

The author and poet Anthony Fogazzaro was born in Vicenza. He originally trained and practised as a lawyer. His work focused on moral issues and the conflict between reason and faith. His best known book is the Patriot published in 1895.

The artist Tiepolo painted several frescoes at villas near Vicenza. Rich Venetians loved to have their villa walls adorned with colourful mythological scenes. The frescoes are unusual in that they were painted during the construction of the villa, rather than as a later addition.

Where to eat

Baccalla a la Vicentina, dried cod cooked in milk, is the best known dish of the region. There is a website listing restuarants which serve this speciality on their menu.

If you are looking for a fast cheap meal self service, Righetti (Piazza duomo 3, tel 0444 543135) is close to the cathedral. It is very popular with locals, always a good sign.

The Agli Schioppi is close to the historic centre and offers typical Veneto cuisine.

Day trips

Bassano de Grappo is a lovely small town around 35 kms north east of Vicenza.

Verona lies approximately 60 kilometres west of Vicenza. It is easy to reacH Veron by train from Vicenza.

Treviso is a beautiful small city lying 50 kilmetres west of Vicenza.

You can the full guide with photos and a selection of accommodation at http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/Italy/vicenza.html

Karen Bryan is a UK based independent travel consultant and writer. Her website Europe a la Carte, http://www.europealacarte.co.uk, features less well known destinations in Europe. Karen believes that if you venture even slighly off the beaten tourist track that you will see more of the real Europe.

Article source: Expert Articles

More about Verona and the region of Veneto:
Discover even more about what Verona has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the city here: http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/

by Adam Singleton

The enchanting city of Venice has long been a favourite destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway. Beautiful surroundings, famous landmarks, fantastic food and the inevitable gondola rides attracts many to this Italian city to bask in the laid back Italian way of life. Venice also offers the unique experience of walking around a city that was built based on a canal system to move about, making for some interesting walking tours around this maze-like historic city.

Walking around the city is the best way to take in all of the unique architecture and character of Venice. A map is essential to tackling the winding streets of this city even though it will probably not protect against getting lost. But what better place is there to be lost in than Venice? Walking is also a great way to discover some of the lesser known neighbourhoods of this town, thus providing a more authentic experience. For those who want a true taste of Italy, those areas that lie off the beaten path also offer more authentic and tastier meals which cater less toward foreign visitors.

Visiting away from the tourist centre can also be a nice break from the numbers of visitors that Venice receives, especially during the summer months when the city is full and the weather is hot. A gondola ride to explore some of the bordering neighbourhoods is also a good excuse to hop on a boat as these rides get considerably cheaper the farther you stray from the main tourist area.

Any time of year that you find yourself in Venice, there are some must see attractions that you will happily brave the crowds to see. The Piazza San Marco is a large public square and serves as the main meeting place in the city. The Piazza is also the location of some more must see attractions such as St Marks Cathedral, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and several museums. Depending on what you are interested in seeing, you can choose to spend just a day touring the attractions of the Piazza or, if museums and cathedrals are your thing, you can happily spend more than a few days exploring all there is to see in this little space.

There are plenty more cathedrals and museums to see in Venice, and if you plan on visiting it is a good idea to book tickets in advance – especially if you are there during the summer months. Queues can be long and the weather will be hot, making standing in line pretty unpleasant. The same goes for booking a hotel in Venice during the peak season as accommodation fills up fast, especially at the hotels near the centre so it’s best to book early.

Venice is also a good place to see some of the other islands around Venice. The quaint towns can easily be seen on a day trip or you can even go to another country like Croatia by ferry although it is advisable to take more time than just one day. Venice is a great city to get a taste of Italy’s culture, but be warned, there is a great chance that it will only whet your appetite for more!

About the Author: Adam Singleton is an online freelance journalist from Scotland. His hobbies include travelling and hiking.

More about Venice:
Discover even more about what Venice has to offer and find out what your fellow travelers think of the city at http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/veneto/venice/