Not a tourist trap afterall! and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

The Campanile certainly feels like your basic tourist trap you've seen everywhere else : short visit, high price, long lineup, etc. But as a matter of fact, it's probably the first visit you should do in Venice..

But first bring two things : a good map of Venice (and its surroundings) and a sweater (yeah, even during summer). The map will allow you to get an instant view of Venice and locate the main areas visually. It will probably save you some time when you'll get lost in the streets afterwards. And while you do that, the sweater will keep you warm (the sea breeze is really chilling up there!).

Dont worry, there is a lift/elevator..

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Address: Pïazza San Marco
Directions: That tower you see on the piazza...

It's a no brainer that a trip to Venice would not be complete without a visit of the Palazzo Ducale, the Doges Palace. But some options are available to you to better appreciate this huge historical building :

- Audioguide : they are very good, based on PDAs, with a touchscreen and a map of the palace so you dont get lost. However, the battery lasts for only 2 hours and the staff is clear on the fact that they will not replace the unit in case of a dead battery (probably to avoid people sharing an audioguide). Mine died about 15 minutes before the end of the tour and I missed the last couple of rooms. Dont waste too much time, keep moving...

- 'Secret rooms' : I missed this one and I'm quite disappointed. It's a guided tour following a special itinerary in the Palace. In short, you'll see things few people will see. You have to book this tour one day in advance so I suggest you do that if you are interested. Dont expect the staff at the entrance to be really helpful though, they told me to buy my ticket first and then to book the tour. Guess what? It does not work this way.. All travelguides will mention this tour so I guess it was worth it...

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Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: If you miss the Palazzo Ducale, it's because you arent in Venice..

Wherever you go in Venice, there will be a church to visit..

Some of them, usually the most frequented, require that you buy a ticket for the visit. It's usually around 2.5euros. A Chorus pass is available and lets you visit all of the churches for a fixed price. It's quite difficult to recommend which church to visit as it really depends on your interest and the time you've got. While some like Santa Maria dei Frari present a rather plain building holding lots of treasures inside its walls, others like Santa Maria Della Salute are quite the opposite (superb exterior but a bit empty on the inside). I suggest you try to visit the main ones and just peek into the ones you bump into while walking through the citta'.

San Marco is the subject of a specific tip and of course, should not be missed by any account.

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Address: All over Venice!

Now here is something you should not miss : a ride on vaporetto line 1 (or 82 during summer) at night.

Why? Because that's when you will see the inside of the palaces around the Canal. You will see how richly they are decorated and why they are called 'palazzo'.

Dont do it too late in the summertime though. Try to do it as close as sunset as you can so most of them will still be lit. If you are in Venice during the Carnivale, I can only assume that they must be lit all night long!

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Address: Grand Canal
Directions: Board at Ferrovia and have fun!

(my pic is a night shot from Rialto and is not what you'll see from the vaporetto!)

San Marco Basilica forms, along with the Doges Palace and the Campanile, the 'center three' of Piazza San Marco. You will probably get sucked in the tourists crowds and visit those three places on your first day in Venice...

I will not copy here the text on the history of the Basilica as you can find it in any guide. However, note that this basilica is well known for its mosaics. They must not be missed. Some of them are not ideally located (in the narthex for example) and it's very easy to miss them. So keep your head up and watch the ceiling! If you can, bring some binoculars...

At the back of the basilica, you can also 'visit' the Pala d'Oro. It's an incredible work of craftsmanship representing Jesus, the Saints, some Prophets and the whole Who's Who of the Bible. There's no entrance fee for the church itself but you have to pay to see the Pala d'Oro and the Treasury (mainly St-Marks relics). While the Treasury itself isnt remarkable (!) the Pala d'Oro should not be missed. Dont hesitate to pay extra for the phone/audioguide. It provides some interesting details on the Pala d'Oro.

Note also that it is forbidden to bring a backpack or any kind of luggage inside the Basilica. There is however a free 'baggage check' in one of the buildings near the Clocktower (you cant miss it). And yes, they do enforce it (even if I was lucky enough to get in with mine...8P)

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Address: Where else than Piazza San Marco..
Directions: Follow the crowd..