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  • martitubi: @erolalkan was IMMENSE yesterday night in Venice. Never seen something like that in life <3
    a minute ago
  • ricklecoat: At The Puppet Barge in Little Venice. Watching ‘The Tortoise & The Hare’ with @GabbieLecoat and La Boo.
    2 minutes ago
  • gran_tourismo: @monicacesarato Would you prefer us to come to Venice and follow a raised umbrella around and eat 'spaghetti bolognese' & pizza? ^TC
    4 minutes ago

World / Europe / Italy / Venice

Canals and churches, gondolas and gelaterias, Venice is one of the most recognisable cities on the planet. While it's frequently overcrowded with camera-clicking tourists, its beauty and glorious medieval heritage can never be questioned.

Currency

Euro

Visa Requirements

No visa required for EU nationals, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Irish nationals.

Language

Italian

Timezone

Italian

Weather

Sweltering in summer, distinctly crisp in winter

Dialling Code

+39 081

Electricity

220V. European two-pin plugs are standard

Health and Safety

EU citizens should apply for a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in all EU countries. This only covers emergency treatment so comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised.

Useful Links

EU citizens should apply for a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in all EU countries. This only covers emergency treatment so comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised.

Flights to Venice land at Marco Polo Airport, which sits across the lagoon, on the lip of the Italian mainland. A bus service carries visitors over the causeway to the Santa Lucia train station in the north-west of the city. A more romantic option is the water bus (vaporetto), which stops at St Mark's Square and costs €12.

St Mark's Basilica

It's an obvious port of call, and likely to be hugely busy with it, but no visit to Venice can be complete without at least a stroll through St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). Pride of place goes to St Mark's Basilica , the 11th century cathedral where the entrance, with its statues and works of art, is as ornate as anything inside. Just as impressive is the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale Di Venezi), which dates back to the 14th century, and was home to Venice's leaders until 1797.

Rialto Bridge

There are precious few opportunities to cross the Grand Canal without getting your feet wet: only three bridges span the majestic waterway, so there is no excuse for missing the Rialto Bridge (Ponte de Rialto, Ruga degli Orefici). Tiny shops still huddle beneath its slanting roof, just as they did in the 16th century.

The Guggenheim

Culture vultures will find much to enjoy in Venice's two key art galleries. The Guggenheim offers early 20th century masterpieces, including pieces by Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky and Dali. The Gallerie dell'Accademia specialises in 14th to 18th century European paintings, including masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto.

Quick Lunch - Lineadombra

Lineadombra in the western Dorsoduro area of the city is a lovely place for lunch, particularly if you take the al fresco option and dine on the floating terrace.

Top Table - Le Bistrot de Venise

Le Bistrot de Venise does a different take on fine dining, with cuisine from Venice's past. Fancy ricotta and saffron dumplings with mixed lamb and leeks, made to a 14th century recipe? This is the place.

Cheap Eat - Le Café Venezia

Le Café Venezia, on a quiet square near the Accademia Bridge, is a good spot for a cappuccino and a sandwich.

On Business - Luna Hotel Baglioni

The five-star Luna Hotel Baglioni sits just off St Mark's Square. It has three meeting rooms able to accommodate between 30 and 170 people.
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Lap Of Luxury - San Clemente Palace

Venetian hotels do not come more exclusive than the San Clemente Palace , an opulent converted monastery that sits on the tiny island of the same name, south of the city.
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Cheap Sleep - Locanda Ca'Foscari

Venice is not a city where you find a bargain hotel on every corner, but there are cheap deals out there. Locanda Ca'Foscari is centrally located with clean, well-priced rooms.
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Coffee And Chat - Hotel Danieli

Sip a cappuccino in the sumptuous lobby of the Hotel Danieli (4196 Castello, 00 39 041 522 6480), a lavishly restored 14th century palace.

Formal Presentation - Ca' Sagredo Hotel

Ca' Sagredo Hotel (4198 Campo Santa Sofia, Ca'D'Oro, 00 39 041 241 3111) sits in a fabulous position overlooking the Grand Canal, near the Rialto Bridge. It has excellent meeting and conference facilities, and wi-fi connection throughout.

Evening Drinks - Harry's Bar

Harry's Bar (1323 San Marco, 00 39 041 528 5777) is a Venetian institution, famous for its Bellini cocktails.

Venice International Boat Show

The highlight of 2010’s international boat show will be the newly introduced ‘exclusive area’, which will play host to yachts measuring 18 meters or more. Featuring some of the best vessels on the market, The Venice International Boat Show will be spread over a 120,000 square meter dock and is set to feature around 16.000 square meters of exhibition space. Offering opportunities a-plenty to play around with a range of waterborne gadgets, this is the place to be for a little maritime merrymaking this spring.

18 Mar 2010 - 21 Mar 2010
The Maritime Station, Arsenale

The Venice Architecture Biennale

Directed by Kazuyo Sejima, of internationally renowned Japanese architectural practice SANAA, and featuring exhibitions, proposals and commissions from the most important international architectural names, the 12th Architecture Biennale looks set to continue the standard. Playing host to pavilions from countries across the globe, plans for this year’s event are still under wraps for the time being, but be sure to check the website for more information nearer the time.

29 Aug 2010 - 21 Nov 2010

Venice Film Festival

Directed by renowned critic and curator Marco Müller, the 67th Venice Film Festival will include both competitive and non-competitive sections along with some of the most exciting cinema of the upcoming year. This year’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement has already been awarded to director, John Woo, but for the full Festival line-up we must wait until the end of July this year, when all participants will be announced – so watch this space.

01 Sep 2010 - 11 Sep 2010
The Venice Lido

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