Attractions

The Basilica di San Marco is a magnificent stone structure featuring 12^th Century marble floors and 11^th-15^th Century mosaic domes with millions of glass tiles glittering in the sky. Legend has it that St Mark was smuggled into Venice in 878, a story which is depicted in the mosaics on the left of the church's façade - dated 1270. In order to gain admittance to this attraction no short skirts, bare shoulders or large rucksacks are allowed. The waiting time for this attraction can be long so it is recommended to buy a reservation ticket. The basilica is free to enter but there is a museum upstairs as well as the high altar and treasury which charge a small fee.

The Peggy Gugehnheim Collection is a an inspired collection of the works of well known and less well known contemporary artists including Jackson Pollack, Max Ernst (her former husband), Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee and Dali. Also located here are works by Moore, Giacometti and Arp, as well as Venice's own Emilio Vedova in the Sculpture Garden, where Peggy is buried alongside her pet dogs. There is also a café and bookstore located here. The collection is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni - Peggy Guggenheim's exquisite palatial home.

The School of St Roch features one of the finest collections of 14^th to 18^th Century art in the world. There are 50 Tintoretto's painted between 1575 and 1587, as well as a magnificent ceiling panel for the School or 'Scuola'. A spectacular staircase takes visitors to the Sala Grande Superiore - where Tintoretto painted scenes from the Old Testament on the ceilings. Other featured works include those of Titian, Giorgione and Tiepolo, as well as a breathtaking Renaissance façade by Scarpagnino.

La Museo Ebraico and the 'Jewish Ghetto of Venice' feature five synagogues, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops in the vicinity. During the 16^th to 18^th Centuries, Jewish artisans and lenders kept Venice's commercial centres well stocked during the daytime, but at night they were restricted to the Ghetto Nuovo (Jewish Ghetto).

The Gallerie Dell'Accademia contains works of art dating from the 14^th to the 18^th Century, including Carpaccio's 'Crucifixion and Glorification of the Ten Thousand Martyrs of Mount Ararat', Bellini's 'Madonna and Child' and Tintoretto's 'Creation of the Animals', as well as many other dramatic classical paintings.

Doge's Palace is located in San Marco Square and has an excellent guided tour which is termed the 'Secret Itinerary', taking visitors around the parts of the palace in which the administration worked. Casanova's jail can also be seen, and the impressive structure of the roof which is 500 years old.

The Glass Museum, located on the isle of Murano, Goldoni's House (Venetian playwright), the Lace Museum and the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition are other attractions worth visiting during a stay in Venice.

Events

The Voga Longa, the annual equivalent of a marathon on water rather than land, is held in May. Competitors need to row 20 miles in less than three and a half hours in order to receive a certificate at the finish line. All manner of vessels are invited to take part - and it's not unknown for teams to take over ten hours to complete the race.

The Regata 'Storica' or Historical Fleet Event is held in September. This impressive regatta showcases nearly one hundred types of historical Venetian boats from replicas of Roman and Medieval vessels to huge oarships. The boats are towed along Canal Grande, by small boats. Visitors can watch the races which include riding solo in brightly coloured gondolini.

The Carnevale takes place in the Piazza San Marco during February and is the largest masked ball in Europe. Visitors from all over the world turn up in ornate costumes to join in the celebrations.

The Venice International Film Festival takes place in August/September along the Lido esplanade and is a major draw, attracting the jet set from all over the world.

Leisure and Recreation

Those who love to shop will find many places selling beautifully crafted leather goods, handmade paper and fine velvet scarves - as well as Venetian glass in the Atelier Marega quarter of the city. Venice is also renowned for its mask-making and unique costumes which make excellent souvenirs, and it's quite possible to watch the masks being painted and prepared. The majority of city shops close for an extended lunch - and if you have had a busy day shopping and sightseeing then this could be the perfect time to pop back to your hotel for a siesta, after all 'when in Rome', or should it be 'when in Venice'.

Take a trip to the islands if time permits, especially those of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Boats operate a frequent service - but there may be long queues. Burano is a highly picturesque isle with pastel coloured houses and Torcello is a tranquil experience, and a welcome break from bustling Venice.

Eating 'al fresco' in San Marco Square is a highly recommended idea for a night out, where there are a number of restaurants serving up classical Italian food.

Venice isn't the place to head for if you enjoy a lively night life - most locals are in bed by around 9pm. However there are a few bars just north of the Ghetto Nuove Bridge which stay open until late and the cafes and bars on C. Santa Margharita cater for the local University students.

Weather

The summer can get very hot and humid in Venice - plus it's the height of the tourist season, so the best time to pay a visit is Spring or Autumn, when temperatures average at around 5-15 ^o C. During the winter it can get very cold with temperatures dropping to below freezing at times. Also, in Venice flooding has become more and more common, and this can happen many times a year, when the squares and streets become inaccessible. Sirens sound to alert residents that the city is about to flood - and its possible to get maps which will direct you to higher routes, as well as the footpaths which have walkways to take you to dryer areas.

Getting There and Around

The closest airport is Marco Polo Airport which is 16 miles from the city, and has a bus connection to the Piazzale Roma. The airport has a shuttle service - or travellers can opt for the water bus which takes 75 minutes to San Marco. If money is no problem then the water taxis can get you to Venice centre in around 30 minutes.

The main form of transport in Venice is of course boat - commonly by a 'vaporetta', or water bus, which make scheduled stops, just like a normal bus. During a stay in Venice it's almost compulsory to hire a gondola - usually as a one-off - because a gondolier's services do not come cheap. For a reasonably hefty fee he will serenade you as he directs the gondola around the myriad waterways. The only other way to get around Venice is on foot, since cars are banned right across the city. For many tourists the lack of traffic makes a welcome break from the noise and pollution of everyday life.

Top 6 Free Things to Do

The Rialto Market and the Rialto Bridge on San Polo is a must see, and shoppers at the market will find that things cost considerably less here than in the pricey, touristy Piazza San Marco. The bridge is an iconic structure in Venice, and dates back more than 800 years. The bridge which can be seen today was finished in 1591.

The Madonna dell'Orto - otherwise known as the Tintoretto Church, was dedicated to St Christopher which is why a splendid statue of the saint stands over the main door. The beautiful church contains numerous works by Tintoretto, who was supposed to have started decorating as penance for insulting a doge.

La Zecca or the 'Mint' is where Venice's gold ducats (later zucchini) were coined. It is now home to the Civic Library. Located on Piazzeta San Marco, its open 10am until 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

La Pieta is a church which is renowned for its musical past. Antonio Vivaldi was the violin and choir master in the 18^th century, and he wrote some of his best works for his young students here. The church is open for services at 6.30pm on Saturday, and is located in the Castello district.

The Monument to Bartolomeo Colleoni (dated 1488) is also found in the Castello district. Colleoni was a soldier who would only leave a legacy to the Republic, if a statue of him were erected in St Mark's Square. Instead the Venetian rulers decided to put his impressive statue in front of the Scuola de San Marco.

San Giorgio Maggiore is a church which was built by Palladio. Its white Corinthian columns and arches are beautiful and well worth seeing, and there are some excellent works of art here, such as the Adoration of the Shepherds, by Jacopo Bassano as well as two huge paintings by Tintoretto.

Money and Costs

Tipping is not generally expected in Venice since a service charge is usually included in the bill - of around a generous 20%. Money should always be changed in a bank while on holiday in Venice, since other exchanges rates will be high. The best time to visit Venice is out of tourist season when the price of accommodation is far cheaper, sometimes up to 40% cheaper - plus the weather is just right for sightseeing.

Rialto and Piazza San Marco are expensive areas to eat out in - for good budget meals Venice's Dorsoduro quarter is the place to head for, plus, it's where the locals eat.

The unit of currency in Venice is the Euro, as it is in most other European countries.