Beginner's Guide to Italy

Hotel

2006-05-15T19:36:15Z

Hotels in Venice come in a variety of price ranges. From fairly inexpensive to first class luxury the city is able to accommodate travelers on any budget. Listed below is a great hotel in Venice for a fantastic price.

• Novotel Venezia Hotel: This beautiful modern hotel is decorated with a contemporary feel and modern pieces of furniture. Guest rooms each have a sitting area along with a mini bar for convenience. The hotels restaurant La Terrazza serves traditional Italian cuisine and also has a children’s menu and complete wine list. There is also a bar called the American bar which serves cocktails and light menu items. Guests can enjoy several amenities at the Novotel Venezia such as an outdoor play ground for kids, 2 outdoor swimming pools, room service, complimentary breakfast buffet, business center, shoe shine services, currency exchange, dry cleaning services, banquet and meeting facilities, and a garden. The hotel is nearby several area attractions. Nightly rates start out at $107.

Activities and Attractions

2006-05-15T19:36:47Z

There are those travelers who before they even get to their destination their itineraries are planned down to the minute. Then there are those who opt for just going with the flow and seeing where the days take them. Which ever kind of traveler you are it always helps to know what your destination has to offer in terms of activities and attractions. Listed below are some of the key points of interest in Venice.

• Gondola Rides: Perhaps the gondola filled canals are the most recognizable part of Venice. Gondolas were once the main form of transportation on the canals however today they are mostly used for tourists, weddings, and funerals. A gondola ride can be fantastic way to tour Venice and a romantic way to spend an evening there.
• St. Mark’s Basilica: St. Mark’s Basilica is undoubtedly Venice’s most famous church. Located on St. Mark’s Square the church has a beautiful brick bell tower, golden mosaic, and golden alter. The church draws millions of visitors each year.
• The Island of Lido: One of the islands that make up the great city of Venice Lido has become a beach resort popular with both locals and tourists. The island offers beautiful sandy beaches with several activities such as swimming, surfing, parasailing, boating, horseback riding, scuba diving, wind surfing, and golfing just to name a few. The island also offers a wide selection of cafes and restaurants.
• Ca’ d’Oro: This one of Italy’s oldest palazzos (palace) and is located on the Grand Canal in Venice. This beautiful palazzo is adorned with elegant architecture. After extensive restoration from misuse by previous owners, visitors can now appreciate the original grander of this palazzo.
• Rialto Bridge: The Rialto Bride is probably Venice’s most famous bridge. It is located over Grand Canal and is built entirely out of stone. The bridge has been apart of countless Hollywood moments in both film and television. Artists, vendors, and tourists all flock to the bridge each day.
• Boat Tour: There are several places around Venice that offer boat tours of the city and the islands that are apart of it. The boat tours typically take tourists on a more extended look of the city than a gondola ride.
• Shopping: Venice offers boutiques of some very well known designers as well as less main stream favorites. Some of the great boutiques and shops visitors can enjoy are Gucci, Georgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermés, Bruno Magli, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Missoni, and Fendi.
• St. Mark’s Square: This area is also known as Piazza San Marco and is the main square of Venice. The square is home to many buildings, cafes, museums, and churches. It is a very popular location for tourists and locals.
• Peggy Guggenheim Museum: This art collection is located in the home of the late Peggy Guggenheim. The house is an unfinished palazzo that is located on Grand Canal in Venice. The collection has been referred to as one of the most extensive modern art collections. Admission into the museum is $12.50 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, and $6.50 for children.

Dining Options

2006-05-15T19:37:58Z

Venice offers some of the best culinary options in Europe. There are also aside from the more expensive restaurants many mom and pop food vendors, pizza parlors, and gelato stands where visitors can enjoy the tastes of Venice. Venice is also home to several American fast food chains like McDonalds which gives visitors who need a taste of home an option. Listed below are some of the restaurants in Venice in the moderate to upper moderate price range.

Breakfast
• Novotel Venezia Hotel: The hotel has a great breakfast buffet that is complimentary for their guests.

Lunch
• Da Renato: The Da Renato’s restaurant offers customers gourmet dishes for inexpensive prices. It is a tradition for Venetian locals and is also widely regarded with tourists. The menu offered at Da Renato provides traditional Italian dishes such as pasta and bean soup as well as a fully stocked wine menu. Menu prices begin at $24 and wine prices start at $12.
• La Terrazza Danieli: Located on the rooftop of Hotel Danieli the views offered at La Terrazza are unbeatable. Seafood, pastas, salads, fresh breads, wines, and desserts can all be found on the menu. Prices for food range between $40 and $60 and the wines start at $24.
• Al Ristorante Cip’s Club: Located on the lagoon by St. Mark’s Square Cip’s Club offers wonderful views and food. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, seafood dishes, pastries, and ice cream. They also offer a full wine list. Open for both lunch and dinner their meals range from between $30 and $60 and wine costs on average of $20 and $30.
• Osteria al Ponte: This inexpensive restaurant is popular with locals especially students. Their menu consists of wines, pastas, pizzas, and their specialty roasted potatoes. Prices at the Osteria al Ponte begin at $19 and the wine starts at $10.

Dinner
• Ristorante al Teatro: Located in the area of San Marco the Ristorante al Teatro is a pizzeria that has a wonderful outdoor terrace as well as indoor dining. Aside from mouthwatering pizzas their menu also consists of pastas, meat dishes, vegetables, wines, and breads. A few popular dishes at Ristorante al Teatro are their scaloppini al Fenice and the veal cutlets with seasonable vegetables. The menu prices at Ristorante al Teatro start at $80 and the wine menu prices start at $30.
• Harry’s Bar: This is one of Venice’s most popular restaurants especially for tourists. The Belenni cocktail was invented here and is still one of the best drinks offered at Harry’s. The menu is full of traditional Italian cuisine and delicious wines. While the prices at Harry’s are a little steep it’s the type of place you’ll want to visit at least once. Menu prices range around $100 and wine prices range around $48.
• Caffe Quadri: This restaurant is located near St. Mark’s Square and offers wonderful views of the square while patrons can dine on traditional Italian cuisine and wine. One of the favorite dishes served at Caffe Quadri is their ravioli stuffed with veal in a sea of white truffle sauce. Most meals at Caffe Quadri are priced around $48 and most wines are priced around $18.
• Ristorante Antico Pignolo: Said to have one of the best wine cellars in Venice the Ristorante Antico Pignolo is located behind St. Marks’s Square and offers traditional Mediterranean specialties. Seafood, meats, pastas, breads, desserts, and wines all adorn the menu at Ristorante Antico Pignolo. Menu prices start at $60 and wine prices start at $22.

Venice 3 Day Vacation Introduction

2006-05-15T19:38:50Z

For many people Venice is a dream vacation destination. Venice offers a number of things to visitors from romance to history and culture. From all night wine bars to romantic moonlit gondola rides, Venice has something for everyone who visits the magnificent city.

Hotel

2006-05-15T19:40:14Z

There are thousands of hotel rooms available to people who visit Venice. Each hotel offers its own unique personality and charm to visitors. A great hotel option while on vacation in Venice is the:

• San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort: Located on a private island the San Clemente offers guests first class accommodations. Housed in a restored 17th century monastery the San Clemente is decorated in Venetian style. The hotels 200 guest rooms come stocked with mini bars and have bathrooms fit for a king with bathrobes, slippers, marble floors and counters, Etro toiletries, a music system and separate tub and shower facilities. The hotel offers 4 restaurants each with its own flare and specialty dishes. The hotel also has a spa that offers massages, facials, aromatherapy, body treatments, and hair and nail services. The health club has fitness equipment, steam room, sauna, and 2 spas; there are also 2 tennis courts, a golf course, outdoor pool, pool side bar, and gift shop. San Clemente has several restaurants that include the fine dining of Ca’dei Frati which serves authentic Venetian food. Activities that can be enjoyed at the hotel include jet skiing, fishing, parasailing, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling, surfing, and boogie boarding. Rooms at the San Clemente begin at a nightly rate of $340.

Activities and Attractions

2006-05-15T19:40:49Z

Venice has many activities and attractions that will easily fill your days while in they city. Listed below are some of the most popular attractions and places to visit in Venice.

• Piazza San Marco: This area is also known as St. Mark’s Square and is the main square of Venice. The square is home to many buildings, cafes, museums, and churches. It is a very popular location for tourists and locals.
• Ca’ d’Oro: This one of Italy’s oldest palazzos (palace) and is located on the Grand Canal in Venice. This beautiful palazzo is adorned with elegant architecture. After extensive restoration from misuse by previous owners, visitors can now appreciate the original grander of this palazzo.
• Gondola Rides: Perhaps the gondola filled canals are the most recognizable part of Venice. Gondolas were once the main form of transportation on the canals however today they are mostly used for tourists, weddings, and funerals. A gondola ride can be fantastic way to tour Venice and a romantic way to spend an evening there.
• Boat Tour: There are several places around Venice that offer boat tours of the city and the islands that are apart of it. The boat tours typically take tourists on a more extended look of the city than a gondola ride.
• Peggy Guggenheim Museum: This art collection is located in the home of the late Peggy Guggenheim. The house is an unfinished palazzo that is located on Grand Canal in Venice. The collection has been referred to as one of the most extensive modern art collections. Admission into the museum is $12.50 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, and $6.50 for children.
• Rialto Bridge: The Rialto Bride is probably Venice’s most famous bridge. It is located over Grand Canal and is built entirely out of stone. The bridge has been apart of countless Hollywood moments in both film and television. Artists, vendors, and tourists all flock to the bridge each day.
• St. Mark’s Basilica: St. Mark’s Basilica is undoubtedly Venice’s most famous church. Located on St. Mark’s Square the church has a beautiful brick bell tower, golden mosaic, and golden alter. The church draws millions of visitors each year.
• Boat Tour: There are several places around Venice that offer boat tours of the city and the islands that are apart of it. The boat tours typically take tourists on a more extended look of the city than a gondola ride.
• Shopping: Venice offers boutiques of some very well known designers as well as less main stream favorites. Some of the great boutiques and shops visitors can enjoy are Gucci, Georgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermés, Bruno Magli, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Missoni, and Fendi.

Dining Options

2006-05-15T19:41:36Z

Whenever you’re far away from home it’s always nice to know what your dining options will be while you’re at your chosen location. Listed below are some of the great dining options Venice has to offer.

Breakfast
• Gli Arazzi Ristorante: Located at the San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort the Gli Arazzi offers a wonderful breakfast buffet with a wide assortment of breakfast favorites.

Lunch
• Da Renato: The Da Renato’s restaurant offers customers gourmet dishes for inexpensive prices. It is a tradition for Venetian locals and is also widely regarded with tourists. The menu offered at Da Renato provides traditional Italian dishes such as pasta and bean soup as well as a fully stocked wine menu. Menu prices begin at $24 and wine prices start at $12.
• Osteria al Ponte: This inexpensive restaurant is popular with locals especially students. Their menu consists of wines, pastas, pizzas, and their specialty roasted potatoes. Prices at the Osteria al Ponte begin at $19 and the wine starts at $10.
• Al Ristorante Cip’s Club: Located on the lagoon by St. Mark’s Square Cip’s Club offers wonderful views and food. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, seafood dishes, pastries, and ice cream. They also offer a full wine list. Open for both lunch and dinner their meals range from between $30 and $60 and wine costs on average of $20 and $30.

Dinner
• Harry’s Bar: This is one of Venice’s most popular restaurants especially for tourists. The Belenni cocktail was invented here and is still one of the best drinks offered at Harry’s. The menu is full of traditional Italian cuisine and delicious wines. While the prices at Harry’s are a little steep it’s the type of place you’ll want to visit at least once. Menu prices range around $100 and wine prices range around $48.
• Locanda Cipriani: This restaurant has been a favorite of locals and tourists since Ernest Hemmingway discovered it. It is located on the quite island of Torcello and it is opened for both lunch and dinner. Locanda Cipriani prides itself on have not only delicious food but a first class staff that makes every customer feel special. Diners can enjoy the surroundings of rose gardens and elegance while enjoying a menu filled with wines, pastas, and specialty dishes such as the beef carpaccio and John Dory ‘alla Carlina. Menu prices range around the $100 mark and wine prices start out in the $43 range.
• Ristorante Antico Pignolo: Said to have one of the best wine cellars in Venice the Ristorante Antico Pignolo is located behind St. Marks’s Square and offers traditional Mediterranean specialties. Seafood, meats, pastas, breads, desserts, and wines all adorn the menu at Ristorante Antico Pignolo. Menu prices start at $60 and wine prices start at $22.
• Ristorante al Teatro: Located in the area of San Marco the Ristorante al Teatro is a pizzeria that has a wonderful outdoor terrace as well as indoor dining. Aside from mouthwatering pizzas their menu also consists of pastas, meat dishes, vegetables, wines, and breads. A few popular dishes at Ristorante al Teatro are their scaloppini al Fenice and the veal cutlets with seasonable vegetables. The menu prices at Ristorante al Teatro start at $80 and the wine menu prices start at $30.
• Caffe Quadri: This restaurant is located near St. Mark’s Square and offers wonderful views of the square while patrons can dine on traditional Italian cuisine and wine. One of the favorite dishes served at Caffe Quadri is their ravioli stuffed with veal in a sea of white truffle sauce. Most meals at Caffe Quadri are priced around $48 and most wines are priced around $18.

Venice Restaurants and Activities Introduction

2006-05-15T19:42:21Z

What would a vacation be with out the restaurants and activities that tourists can enjoy? Venice is such a wonderful vacation destination for many different reasons. It is rich in history and culture and it also has many fine dining establishments where visitors can get a true taste of Italian and Mediterranean specialties and bask in the Venetian atmosphere. There are also a plethora of activities and attractions offered throughout the islands that make up the beautiful city of Venice.

Dining Options

2006-05-15T19:43:19Z

Dining at traditional restaurants in Venice can sometimes be quite pricey. Aside from the more expensive restaurants there are countless mom and pop food vendor stands, pizza parlors, and gelato vendors where visitors can enjoy the tastes of Venice. Venice is also home to several American fast food chains like McDonalds which gives visitors who need a taste of home an option. Listed below are some of the restaurants in Venice in the moderate price range.

• Al Ristorante Cip’s Club: Located on the lagoon by St. Mark’s Square Cip’s Club offers wonderful views and food. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, seafood dishes, pastries, and ice cream. They also offer a full wine list. Open for both lunch and dinner their meals range from between $30 and $60 and wine costs on average of $20 and $30.
• Caffe Quadri: This restaurant is located near St. Mark’s Square and offers wonderful views of the square while patrons can dine on traditional Italian cuisine and wine. One of the favorite dishes served at Caffe Quadri is their ravioli stuffed with veal in a sea of white truffle sauce. Most meals at Caffe Quadri are priced around $48 and most wines are priced around $18.
• Osteria al Ponte: This inexpensive restaurant is popular with locals especially students. Their menu consists of wines, pastas, pizzas, and their specialty roasted potatoes. Prices at the Osteria al Ponte begin at $19 and the wine starts at $10.
• Harry’s Bar: This is one of Venice’s most popular restaurants especially for tourists. The Belenni cocktail was invented here and is still one of the best drinks offered at Harry’s. The menu is full of traditional Italian cuisine and delicious wines. While the prices at Harry’s are a little steep it’s the type of place you’ll want to visit at least once. Menu prices range around $100 and wine prices range around $48.
• La Terrazza Danieli: Located on the rooftop of Hotel Danieli the views offered at La Terrazza are unbeatable. Seafood, pastas, salads, fresh breads, wines, and desserts can all be found on the menu. Prices for food range between $40 and $60 and the wines start at $24.
• Locanda Cipriani: This restaurant has been a favorite of locals and tourists since Ernest Hemmingway discovered it. It is located on the quite island of Torcello and it is opened for both lunch and dinner. Locanda Cipriani prides itself on have not only delicious food but a first class staff that makes every customer feel special. Diners can enjoy the surroundings of rose gardens and elegance while enjoying a menu filled with wines, pastas, and specialty dishes such as the beef carpaccio and John Dory ‘alla Carlina. Menu prices range around the $100 mark and wine prices start out in the $43 range.
• Ristorante al Teatro: Located in the area of San Marco the Ristorante al Teatro is a pizzeria that has a wonderful outdoor terrace as well as indoor dining. Aside from mouthwatering pizzas their menu also consists of pastas, meat dishes, vegetables, wines, and breads. A few popular dishes at Ristorante al Teatro are their scaloppini al Fenice and the veal cutlets with seasonable vegetables. The menu prices at Ristorante al Teatro start at $80 and the wine menu prices start at $30.
• Ristorante Antico Pignolo: Said to have one of the best wine cellars in Venice the Ristorante Antico Pignolo is located behind St. Marks’s Square and offers traditional Mediterranean specialties. Seafood, meats, pastas, breads, desserts, and wines all adorn the menu at Ristorante Antico Pignolo. Menu prices start at $60 and wine prices start at $22.
• Da Renato: The Da Renato’s restaurant offers customers gourmet dishes for inexpensive prices. It is a tradition for Venetian locals and is also widely regarded with tourists. The menu offered at Da Renato provides traditional Italian dishes such as pasta and bean soup as well as a fully stocked wine menu. Menu prices begin at $24 and wine prices start at $12.

Attractions and Activities

2006-05-15T19:44:06Z

While visiting Venice the list of sighs to see will seem endless and it may be hard to know where to start. Listed below are some of the city’s most popular and most visited attractions and activities:

• Piazza San Marco: This area is also known as St. Mark’s Square and is the main square of Venice. The square is home to many buildings, cafes, museums, and churches. It is a very popular location for tourists and locals.
• Peggy Guggenheim Museum: This art collection is located in the home of the late Peggy Guggenheim. The house is an unfinished palazzo that is located on Grand Canal in Venice. The collection has been referred to as one of the most extensive modern art collections. Admission into the museum is $12.50 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, and $6.50 for children.
• Rialto Bridge: The Rialto Bride is probably Venice’s most famous bridge. It is located over Grand Canal and is built entirely out of stone. The bridge has been apart of countless Hollywood moments in both film and television. Artists, vendors, and tourists all flock to the bridge each day.
• Ca’ d’Oro: This one of Italy’s oldest palazzos (palace) and is located on the Grand Canal in Venice. This beautiful palazzo is adorned with elegant architecture. After extensive restoration from misuse by previous owners, visitors can now appreciate the original grander of this palazzo.
• The Island of Lido: One of the islands that make up the great city of Venice Lido has become a beach resort popular with both locals and tourists. The island offers beautiful sandy beaches with several activities such as swimming, surfing, parasailing, boating, horseback riding, scuba diving, wind surfing, and golfing just to name a few. The island also offers a wide selection of cafes and restaurants.
• Gondola Rides: Perhaps the gondola filled canals are the most recognizable part of Venice. Gondolas were once the main form of transportation on the canals however today they are mostly used for tourists, weddings, and funerals. A gondola ride can be fantastic way to tour Venice and a romantic way to spend an evening there.
• St. Mark’s Basilica: St. Mark’s Basilica is undoubtedly Venice’s most famous church. Located on St. Mark’s Square the church has a beautiful brick bell tower, golden mosaic, and golden alter. The church draws millions of visitors each year.
• Shopping: Venice offers boutiques of some very well known designers as well as less main stream favorites. Some of the great boutiques and shops visitors can enjoy are Gucci, Georgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermés, Bruno Magli, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabana, Bulgari, Missoni, and Fendi.
• Boat Tour: There are several places around Venice that offer boat tours of the city and the islands that are apart of it. The boat tours typically take tourists on a more extended look of the city than a gondola ride.