Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
somehow missed. See “Venice Itineraries” (below) for the indispensable sights for
a visit of varying lengths.
EXPLORING THE GRAND CANAL
In 1498, a French envoy to Venice declared the Canal to be “the most beautiful
street . . . that exists in all the world.” His observation remains valid, despite the
addition of motor-propelled boats, water taxis, tourist-laden gondolas, floating
fruit stalls, police boats, and floating ambulances speeding up and down the priv-
ileged highway. The Grand Canal is just that—a grand watery cruise-way for
observing the ceaseless activities of a floating city. Like an endlessly changing film
reel, a trip along the Canal provides non-stop views of the most spectacular
facades, on magnificent buildings carved from marble and stone. Some are fres-
coed and some are simply extraordinary in their designs; much of the architecture
If you have only 3 days in Venice
Cannaregio and Castello are refreshingly laid-back, once you get away from
the main areas. Use your third day to see beautiful Carpaccios in Castello's
Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
and wander through its
relaxed public gardens (Giardini Pubblici) for a completely different sense
of the city; then head toward Cannaregio's ancient
Jewish Ghetto.
En route,
explore the massive church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo and the comparatively
miniscule Santa Maria dei Miracoli. While venturing along Cannaregio's
Strada Nuova,
visit Venice's Golden Palace, the Ca' d'Oro, with its impor-
tant art collection, and try to time your visit for a meal at Algiubagiò,
along the Fondamente Nuove.
If you have only 4 days in Venice
Use one of your days to experience
lagoon island life;
there are regular
vaporetti
to Murano, Burano, and Tortello. You'll notice the tourist num-
bers dropping off as you get farther away from Venice.
If you have 1 week in Venice
Rather than cram all the major sights into a shorter time, divide them up,
and take time to walk through the different neighborhoods, perhaps ven-
turing into the occasional church or low-key museum along the way. Being
in Venice with enough time to savor just a fraction of its sweet, melan-
cholic charms is a unique privilege; the trick is not to feel the constant
need to rush from attraction to attraction. Explore the
Giudecca,
and visit
less touristy museums
and galleries like the Querini Stampalia, Ca' Pesaro,
Ca' Rezzonica, Palazzo Mocenigo, and the Correr Museum at one end of St.
Mark's Square.
