San Marco Basilica and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

This is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings we have seen during our European travels. It was built during the 9th century and the mosaics on the exterior are worth a close look. The Basilica was originally built to house the remains of St Mark. If you do one thing in Venice, it should be to spend the afternoon in the area around the Basilica.

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Palazzo Ducale: Doges Palace

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

The palace is the building next to San Marco Basilica and another place well worth a visit. It was the home and the offices to the Doges of Venice for about 1000 years, until the end of the 18th century. There is a ton to see inside the palace and well worth the price of admission. I especially enjoyed the armory. I think an audio guide is about 5 or 6 euros.

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San Marco and Piazza: San Marco Piazza

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

This piazza has been one of the most awe-inspiring places we've visited in Europe. When I first walked through one of the entrances, it was breathtaking. Try and enter the Piazza from an entrance opposite the Basilika, so you see San Marco and the piazza at the same time. Entering from behind or the side wasn't quite the same. This is a great place to spend the day relaxing with a drink and people watching. My kids can play for hours with the pigeons and probably had about 100 pictures taken of them by other tourists. This is also a great place to return in the evening for a glass of wine.

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Bridges: Rialto

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

The Rialto Bridge is yet another attraction that is always impressive to see. It was built in its current form in the 16th century after earlier versions in wood. Their are shops down the middle of the bridge that continue down the street on both sides. The bridge is an obvious picture spot in Venice, especially from a boat entering the city.

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Canal Grande: Beautiful Chaos

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

The Grand Canal is unbelievably beautiful chaos. It smells like fuel, is loud from the boat traffic, is cloudy from exhaust, but is an amazing thing to see. It is another of Venice's 'wow' factors that make it such a great place to take visitors. Take the No 1 vaporetto and absorb the atmosphere of Venice, and be prepared to snap non-stop pictures. To enjoy the different settings, go during the day and in the evening.

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San Marco and Piazza: Pigeons

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Updated by rcsparty

on Sep 21, 2006

You can't visit the piazza without feeding the pigeons. It is really quite humorous to watch how timid people are at first and within 30 minutes are covered with pigeons, in addition to some other stuff. Our kids are entertained for hours feeding the pigeons. Bird seed is sold for 1 euro throughout the piazza and is the best money I've spent. The birds are much less timid later in the year. My daughters were very disappointed in April, when the pigeons did not cover them looking for food.

Make sure to bring some small vial of hand cleaner or sanitizer, as after all, birds are not the cleanest of animals

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San Marco and Piazza: Music

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

You cannot goto Venice without sitting in San Marco Piazza in the evening with a glass of wine, enjoying the music outside. There were three different restaurants that rotated playing music in the Piazza. You are definately paying for the ambiance, as there is a seating charge and the wine is not cheap, but it was well worth it for us. If you don't like the cost, you can always sit on the ground just outside the tables and enjoy the music. That also makes it easier to rotate around as they switch which restaurant is playing.

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San Marco and Piazza: Piazzetta

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

In some ways, the piazzetta is more beautiful then the piazza. It does not have near as many pigeons to dodge and the view of the lagoon is wonderful. In the morning, before the crowds arrive, it really is an amazing place to sit with the basilica and palace on one side and bordered by the lagoon. The two columns in the piazzetta are topped by St Mark and St Theodore.

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Churches: Santa Maria dei Frari

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006

This church could double as a museum with numerous masterpieces inside. Titan's 'Assumption of the Virgin' hangs in the high altar area, as well as many other works of art. Donatello's statue 'John the Baptist' also resides at this church. In Europe, especially Italy, you get used to churches containing amazing works of art, but this church is worth a visit inside.

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San Marco and Piazza: Horses of Constanipole

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Written by rcsparty

on Aug 7, 2006