Venice Things to Do Tips by cheapskate

Carnevale Carnival Time Review

I didn't go during the Carnival Ball time.. though i've already dreamt too.. Maybe sometime in the future...

It's all about the masks and the medival gowns.. many shops sell masks.. but quite a handful sell costumes too.. and i had fun looking at them with no intention of buying of course! Reminds me of all those movies i've watched like Drew Barrymore's Ever After.. haha

Row row row your boat... Gondola Review

What is Venice famous for?!? Yes! the Canals!... and yes! the Gondolas!!

Gondolas are like the biggest symbols of Venice... It's like THE thing to do in Gondola.. sit in one with your loved one... how romantic... yah yah.. i was alone.. so naturally i gave that a miss TOO!! argh..

But if you have money to spare... it really is a romantic thing to do, in my opinion.

Ranges around 60-80euros per gondola. Many of the gondolas are very well decorated and mostly catered for couple with very luxurious cushioned seats. But some do seat up to 6persons.

Address: All over.

Directions: Mostly around Bacino San Marco.. but also around Ponte di Rialto and many other areas.

Basilica di San Marco Basilica di San Marco Review

If you're going to Piazza San Marco, how can you not visit the Basilica of Saint Mark. Oh yah.. you should know by now that Venice is sinking and this has taken a toll on the church.. you'd probably notice that the ground isn't even.

Well... each city in Italy had their patron saint.. Venice had no except.. and so the Venetian patron saint is Saint Mark. His body was actually stolen from Santa Sophia, his egyptian burial place. He was reburied several times.. but finally his body is resting in the high alter.

Here's the thing about the basilica... You MUST visit it. To go into the main hall is FREE.. bravo..
BUT.. there's a small catch.. there are many so areas that you would have to pay to get into.. I think there were 2 or 3 parts, one such was the Pala d'Oro which houses some jewels and other bling.. and costs about 1.50euros to go in. I didn't go into any though.

What i did do was to go up the second level of the basilica.. get closer to the mosaic frescoes of the church. It's all gold.. and it's quite a sight to behold although the 2nd level isn't that high up.. but you get a more complete overview of the church...
Of course.. you get to see the original 4 bronze horses... hahaha.. and you get to climb out to the balcony of the church and take even more pictures.. and get a more aerial view of Piazza San Marco.

Where it all happens Piazza San Marco Review

This place is full of action.. and pigeons.. err...

Ok.. i have to admit that i am a bit sore because i'm not one who can afford to sip coffee.. or rather hot chocolate at one of the cafes at the square... OR afford any of the jewellery the shops are selling... OR any pieces of Murano made from master craftsmen.. so there isn't that much to do in the square at all.. besides feeding the pigeons.. which i wouldn't do.. and i'm too busy trying to avoid getting pooped on.

But there are many many many many.. ok.. an infinite number of shops that you would fancy.. small shops that sell the cutest things.. and the best part is.. once you're away from the square.. even if it's just one lane away.. prices drop dramatically!

Well.. i did enjoy walking around the edge of venice.. which is where the San Marco or Bacino di San Marco is.. facing Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute or the San Giorgio Maggiore island. It's nice to juz take a stroll and let the wind blow in ur face..

Address: Piazza San Marco

Cruise along the Grand Canal Canal Grande Review

For the number one cruise of the grand canal... Take the #1 Vaporetto.. or water bus.. it's like public transport.. and it's the best way to see the bus coz it goes along the whole of the grand canal and passes all the prominent sight.. Great and cheap way to see Venice!

Address: Piazza San Marco

Directions: Best place to start is Piazzale Roma OR Piazza San Marco.. The ones that go in opposite directions of course.

The same place but at different time Piazza San Marco Review

get lost in the crowds.. get lost in the pigeons... But do make a conscious effort to avoid having any poop land on you! It's a pretty common thing!

This place has it's charm.. maybe it's the sheer vastness of it.. perhaps it's the intricate basilica of San Marco.. the campanile? the typical italian cafes that line the perimeter of the square... or even the throngs of tourist.. maybe it's a combination of all... I spent hours around that area walking around.. i don't even know what i did.. lost in thoughts perhaps.

Address: Piazza San Marco

Directions: Follow the arrows that indicate San Marco

Where the Dukes resided Doge's Palace Review

This place is well worth a visit.. There are several different sections, like the courtyard.. the prisons.. the various room.. the halls... I thought the look of each section also varied.. i guess i always like the halls most.. it always reminds me of those disney princess cartoons where the princess is dancing with her prince.. haha..

This place is like a maze though.. thank goodness for the arrows.

I enjoyed going through the bridge of sighs and the prisons too!

Oh yah! i was really exhausted at the end of the visit and ended up the palace cafe. I had a pizza for 2.50euros which was actually below my expectations.. but you'd have to stand and eat.. if u wanted a seat u pay almost double... The guy must have noticed me turning pale when my gastric was acting up and let me have a seat without extra charges. I thought he was juz being nice to everyone since the cafe was empty anyway.. but the same service did not extend to the other customers that followed.. hehehe.. so i was quite happy.. itsy bitsy ego trip.. haha

Address: Next to San Marco Basilica

Up the Campanile! Campanile di San Marco Review

All the campaniles look the same to me.. and they all cost a few Euros to go up.. I guess this was the least climbed of the lot.. But view differs from tower to tower..

This is the only tower i climbed.. i only have so much money to spare to climb bell towers.. and so much energy!

Kind of spooky but exciting coz i was the only one up in the tower.

Address: Torcello

Directions: Highest point in the island..

Ponte del Sospiri - the bridge of Sighs. Ponte dei Sospiri Review

Check out the famed Bridge of Sighs. Made famous by Charles Dicken's novel, 'The Merchant of Venice'. If you intend to visit the Duke's Palace, don't forget to walk across it.

How did the bridge get its name?
Well.. This is the bridge that connect the Palazzo to the prison, so prisoners are brought across this bridge before they're put into their cells. The bridge is entirely enclosed, except for a couple of windows on each side. When the prisoners walk across the bridge, they take their last glimpse of the beautiful canal and sigh.. resigned to their fate. So there..

Address: Palazzo Ducale

Directions: Next to Piazza San Marco

Fat Pigeons

Venice has got to have the fattest pigeons. They're so fat.. and soooooo sedated. Bratty kids grab them by their wings and there's no resistance!

It looks fun to pay 1euro for the seeds to feed the pigeons.. but i don't encourage it.

With the bird flu cases on the rise.. i suggest u steer clear of them as well!

Address: St Marks Square