Venice Italy

Festivals: Carnevale - typically occurs in February; •Carnevale dates change every year, corresponding with Shrove Tuesday forty days before Easter - costumed characters, entertainment, boat parades, and food stalls; parties or masquerade balls - For the best Carnevale experience, wear a costume or at least a mask yourself - book hotels early; rates may be higher during this time

La Biennale - one of the biggest and most prestigious contemporary arts expositions in the world - takes place from June to November every other year in odd-numbered years - main site of the Biennale is the Giardini Pubblici (the Public Gardens), where permanent pavilions for more than 30 countries have been set up for the occasion - includes a dance series, a kids' carnival (usually occurring in February), a contemporary music festival, a theater festival, and the Venice International Film Festival, held in September on the Venice Lido - The Architecture Biennale is held every two years in even-numbered years

Gondola rides -if just wanting to ride on Grand Canal, take a Vaporetto (water bus; public transportation); much cheaper - Tourist travel cards are good for both water and land transport in the Venice area (land services on the Lido and in Mestre). They allow for more flexible travel plans, because you can buy a one-, two- or three-day pass, or even a weeklong pass.

can be costly •Gondola fares are standard and set officially, average ride is 40 minutes; rates higher at night -Gondolas hold 6 people; share to lower cost -can prearrange rides (and pay US) with Viator -singing is NOT a given; neither is guide info - recommend taking a gondola ride on the quiet, back canals rather than on the crowded Grand Canal

Top attractions: St. Marks Square - buy a San Marco Square Pass (admission to the 4 major sites on Piazza San Marco plus one additional museum. Cards are valid for three months from the pick-up date.)

largest open area; meeting place; lots of cafes; best view is from the sea; holds the Basilica San Marco, Campanile di San Marco, Doges' Palace

Saint Mark's Basilica -on St. Mark's Square - also houses the relics of its namesake, the apostle Saint Mark and The Tomb of Saint Mark: Relics and parts of the body of Saint Mark are buried in his tomb behind he high altar. - the sumptuous Pala d'Oro, a golden altarpiece decorated with priceless jewels. - The Treasury (booty from crusades and take overs) - Saint Mark's Museum (church treasures) all of above have separate entrance fee

multi-domed church; Byzantine, Western European, and Islamic architecture; gleaming, golden Byzantine mosaics

Rialto Bridge

spans the Grand Canal gateway to Railto Market many tourist shops at ends of bridge

Doge's Palace - one of Venice's must-see museums paintings, statues, and architecture of the Doge's Palace - grand staircases, gilded ceilings, and frescoed walls - paintings by Venetian masters such as Titian and Tintoretto

top attraction in Venice; the seat of power for the Venetian Republic for centuries. the residence of the Doge and also housed the political bodies of the state . Within the lavish complex, there were law courts, administrative offices, courtyards, grand stairways, and ballrooms, as well as prisons; Bridge of Sighs Take the Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour - takes you to parts of the palace that are off limits during the regular visit, including secret passageways, prisons, torture chamber, an interrogation room, and the infamous Bridge of Sighs. - available only by reservation (Viator) - not part of the general admission ticket.