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Venice Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Venice
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Venice Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Venice - Elegant Venetian buildings and palaces peer over
the ancient maze of narrow streets and labyrinth of canals that
contrive to make this a unique city. Tourists naturally flock to
Venice to experience its inimitable charm. The downside of this can
be felt in the narrow streets and cramped piazzas of its
sought-after areas. A good way to get to know a more personal side
of Venice is to saunter through its romantic back streets and
residential quarters.
Venice rests on one of a
series of 117 islands distributed throughout the Venetian lagoon at
the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. This strategic position
conferred on Venice economic and defensive advantages over its
trading rivals. As the wealth of the city increased and its
population grew, the composition of the city grew ever more dense
and today only a handful of the islets that constitute the historic
centre are not entirely developed. The historic
centre is divided into six quarters (sestieri). These are: San
Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello.
The city's main thoroughfare is the Grand Canal that intersects
each district as it meanders through the length of Venice from the
railway station to San Marco. An alternative to walking the
bewildering streets of Venice is to cruise the waterways onboard
the motorboat buses known as vaporetti. These are the less romantic
but also less expensive substitutes for the famous
gondolas. Venice extends beyond its six sestieri
to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. These are known for
glass and lace-making respectively and Torcello is noted for the
magnificent Byzantine Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta that rests on
its soil. Trips by boat to the islands provide a pleasant diversion
from the busier historic quarters.
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Venice
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. The Grand Canal (Canalazzo)
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What is it? Venice's main waterway splits the city in
half with sestieri in equal parts to the west and east of it. It is
the hub around which much activity in Venice is concentrated and is
encircled with elegant facades of the palazzi, which testify to the
city's past opulence. The best way to explore the architectural
splendour of these Renaissance buildings is on board a vaporetta.
Pedestrian access across the canal is only provided along three
bridges situated at the station, Rialto and Academia. Gondolas
cross the canal at regular intervals and provide a romantic
interlude to the sightseeing itinerary. The Grand Canal palaces and
buildings to look out for include the Ca da Mosto, with its rounded
arches in low relief. The 'House of Gold' (Ca d'Ora) is a beautiful
Gothic building constructed between 1424 and 1430. Palazzo
Corner-Spinelli and Palazzo Vendramin Calergi combine classical and
Byzantine elements designed by Mauro Codussi. Architect Jacopo
Sansovino was inspired by Codussi's style and infused this in his
creation of the Palazzo Corner (Ca Granda). Another notable Palazzo
is the Grimani di San Luca, designed by Michele
Sanmicheli.
Hours of Operation:
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2. St Mark's Square
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What is it? St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) has
always been the nucleus of Venice. The first citadel and church
were erected on its stony foundations, the Palazzo Ducale and the
Basilica di San Marco respectively. The Basilica di San Marco is a
unique juxtaposition of Byzantine, western European and Islamic
architectural styles. The Basilica's most precious relic is the
Pala d'Or, a Venetian-Byzantine gold relief
adorned with precious gems. Travellers and pigeons flock to the
Piazza with equal zeal. It is the tourists however who pay dearly
to eat or drink at the elegant cafes that spill onto the pavements.
Designer shops line the streets that radiate from the square. There
are worthwhile places of interest to explore beyond the square that
include the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the Museo
del Risorgimento, which are housed within the Procuratie Nuova.
Attached to the Procuratie Vecchie is the triumphal Torre
dell'Orologio. The adjoining archway guides one through to the
Mercerie, Venice's main commercial street that stretches to the
Rialto.
Hours of Operation:
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3. Rialto
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What is it? The Rialto has long been the commercial core
of Venice and is famed as the place where the first bridge over the
Grand Canal was built. The original wooden bridge collapsed under
the strain of the crowds gathered here to admire a wedding
procession. It was replaced by the sturdier single stone arch
design of Antonio da Ponte, built in 1588. Today the area still
resembles the bustling fruit and vegetable market of former times
but is additionally swamped with tourists and the accoutrements
geared towards them.
Hours of Operation:
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Venice
holidays - Top Events
1. Carnival of Venice
From 2007-02-09
To 2007-02-20
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What is it? Originating in the 12th century, the Carnival
of Venice is one of the world's most famous festivals and fills the
whole city with musicians, acrobats, clowns, magicians, puppeteers,
beautiful masks, elaborate costumes, and parades. People come from
around the world to participate in masked balls and general
festivities in the ancient Venetian tradition, and to enjoy
theatrical and dance performances, exhibitions and concerts along
the canals, squares and the magnificent palaces of the city.
Carnival traditions are the same, but every year the theme is
different.
Where is it? Centred on San Marco's Square |
2. Festa del Redentore (Feast Day of the Redeemer)
From 2007-07-01
To 2007-07-31
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What is it? One of Venice's most important religious
festivals, the Feast Day of The Redeemer (Il Redentore) is also one
of the most traditional dating back to 1576 in commemoration of the
end of the plague that wiped out a third of the city's population.
The Church of the Redentore was built on the Giudecca Island and a
promise was made by the Doge to lead a procession of thanksgiving
every year to the church; the opening of the temporary bridge of
gondolas roped together that stretches across the canal to the
island is the traditional start of the festivities. At sunset the
waterways are filled with hundreds of brightly lit and decorated
boats, while the banks of the canal are lined with feasting and
dancing. The highlight is the tremendous fireworks display
accompanied by music, and considered by many to be one of the most
spectacular in the world. Regattas, rowing competitions, and
special services in the Redentore Church (reached via the boat
bridge) also form part of the festivities. For more information
phone +39 (0)4 1274 7736.
Where is it? Giudecca Canal and St. Mark's Basin |
3. Historical Regatta
From 2007-09-02
To 2007-09-02
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What is it? Regattas have traditionally been held on the
waterways of Venice since the 13th century, and are still held
throughout the year today, the most important of which is the
Historical Regatta, held on the first Sunday in September. This is
a regatta of distinction, attracting huge crowds of merry
spectators to cheer on the various rowing races. The gondola races
are preceded by a magnificent historical procession of elaborately
carved boats, manned by Venetians in splendid costumes, which
recalls the famous 16th-century procession of the Queen of Cyprus
come to deliver her kingdom into the hands of the
Venetians.
Where is it? Grand Canal |
4. International Festival of Contemporary Music
From 2007-09-28
To 2007-10-07
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What is it? This long-associated music festival sees some
of the newest and most interesting commissioned works and premieres
brought to The Venice Biennale.
Where is it? Teatro La Fenice, Teatro Malibran, Piccolo Teatro
Arsenale |
5. Barcolana
From 2007-10-14
To 2007-10-14
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What is it? Barcolana is one of the largest sailing races
in the world and draws thousands of fans to watch 2,000 boats
(traditional and state-of-the-art) battle it out on the
Mediterranean shores of beautiful Trieste.
Where is it? Trieste, 65 miles (100km) east of Venice |
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