Venice Travel Guide

The Canal Grando, as it is known to the locals, is the central vein running through the heart of Venice. A watery main street, under Roman rule, the canal became vital to overseas trade. Later, under the Byzantines, buildings along the canal were decorated with imported sculptures and columns, leading to the Venetian-Byzantine school of architecture. A boat trip through the Grand Canal is, for many, the highlight of an entire trip to Europe. Here you can see buildings spanning over a thousand years of Italian history, from Byzantine to the Renaissance. The stunning Santa Maria della Salute church’s massive dome stands over the canal. If you disembark and head inside, you’ll find Tintoretto’s famous paintings, artworks that rival the beauty of Venice itself.

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In Venice’s famed Piazza San Marco lies Saint Mark’s Basilica. One of the best surviving examples of Venetian-Byzantine architecture, St Mark’s was built around 1060. Much work has been done in the intervening centuries, leading to the church being embellished with hundreds of years of Italian art and sculpture. Built as a testament to Venetian power and wealth during its golden age, the church is opulent in all the best ways. No trip to Venice is complete without a trip to this Basilica. A tip to anyone visiting Saint Mark’s is to look up. The ceiling of the church is adorned with wonderful and strange golden mosaics. You would also be remiss to not see the Pala d’Oro, the stunning altarpiece complete with hundred of gems.

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Built in 1591, the Rialto is the oldest of the four bridges to span the Grand Canal. Originally the site of a simple pontoon bridge, Rialto is now one of the major tourist attractions in Venice. Carvings and reliefs of Venice’s patron Saint Mark are said to bless anyone who travels under them. Anyone who has visited Venice knows that Rialto must be seen twice. The first time, by gondola during the day, and the second at night. Once you have made sure to get the blessings of Saint Mark, there is the Rialto Market a few hundred yards away, famed for its fresh seafood. Rialto has become a cultural symbol of Venice, and it isn’t hard to see why.

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Located on the southern banks of the Grand Canal, the Gallerie dell’Accademia was established in 1750 to house the masterworks of Venetian artists. If you are enthusiastic about paintings, especially those from the Italian Renaissance , then a trip to the Gallerie should be at the top of your list. The gallery houses more than 800 paintings, and the collection grows each year, recently become home to more international artworks. The focus, however, is still very much on Venice’s storied artistic history.

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The islands of Murano and Burano are located at the northern end of the Venetian lagoon. Only about 40 minutes from Venice proper by Vaporetto (Venices famed water buses), these two islands are known around the world for their pastel-colored homes and artisanal crafts. On Murano, glass-blowing demonstrations are done every hour at the Murano Glass Factory, and the gift shop contains many items that were made that day. In Burano, historically, the primary economy was lacework, and the Venice Lace Museum is located in a gothic building on Burano’s main square. A trip by boat or foot through either of these charming towns, with their brightly- colored houses is a great way to top off the day.

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About an hour’s train ride away from Venice is the city of Vicenza. Destroyed by a Hungarian army in 899, Vicenza was rebuilt as an important center of trade and commerce in the era of the Venetian Republic. Today, Vicenza is a cosmopolitan city with its many museums, art galleries, and churches. Vicenza has a love-affair with the famed architect Andrea Palladio. 23 buildings in the city are designed by him, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Teatro Olimpico the most magnificent. This theatre, with its stone statues and archways, is unlike any other you will ever see.

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Not far from Venice lies the city of “fair Verona” (Shakespeare’s own words). Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is set here, drawing fans of the Bard from all over the world. Verona is known as a cultural hub in Northern Italy, with many art and music festivals and a vibrant nightlife. If you find yourself in Verona, be sure to visit the Verona Arena. Built in the 1st century, this Roman amphitheater is still in use to this day. Many nights you can see operas, plays, and concerts there. Sitting amongst the ancient stonework and taking in one of Leoncavallo’s operas is about as Italian as it gets.

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Once one of the largest European cities in the Middle Ages, and home to Europe’s oldest university, Bologna is steeped in history. Today, Bologna is one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, with many tech companies headquartered there. The clash of medieval works with glass and steel buildings is a remarkable sight. No trip to Bologna would be complete without a visit to the Two Towers, one of the symbols of the city. A short walk from there is the 10th largest church in the world, San Petronio, which has not been finished to this day. Finish your trip at a table of one of Bologna’s many restaurants. The city is renowned for its cuisine, including tagliatelle al ragù and lasagne alla bolognese.

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