Why stay in Venice?
photo: Arian Zwegers
Staying in Venice is, unfortunately, not always cheap. While the word "hostel" isn't often used in Italy, you can find budget options - even in Venice. Do your research ahead of time and save money. A few Venice hostels are highlighted below.
- Residenza A tribute to Music< is wonderfully placed near St. Mark's Basilica and most of the rooms have a view of the Venice Lagoon.
- B&B Al Saor is close to the Rialto Bridge in the heart of the city and is in a typical Venetian house. The building was recently renovated and all the rooms have air conditioning.
- Casa Rezzonico is located in a quiet neighborhood in the center of the city near the Rialto Bridge and Accademia Gallery.
- Palazzo Guardi has 16 rooms in its 15th century building and is a ten minute walk from St. Mark's Square.
Venice is that glorious canal-filled city that seems like it shouldn't exist (and that some say won't for long). Who knows, maybe the gigantic crowds of tourists the city hosts every day are making it sink. Really, even though it's full of cruise ship day trippers during daylight hours, Venice is, especially away from the crowds, one of the more enchanting cities you'll ever visit.
Venice is home to several museums and art galleries, but the real sight is the city itself. Wonderfully free of cars, it's heaven for amblers and wanderers. Get lost in Venice - you'll be glad you did.
Among the things you'll want to get un-lost in order to see are the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica on the equally lovely St. Mark's Square. The Byzantine Basilica is even more gorgeous on the inside than it is outside, and it's free to visit. Next door is the Palazzo Ducale, the former palace of Venice's ruling dukes. It's worth a tour, if only to walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs. Venice's other famous bridge, the Rialto, offers a great vantage point over the Grand Canal. Among Venice's museum treasures is Leonardo da Vinci's "Vetruvian Man" and the modern art found in the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.
Getting around Venice can be extremely cheap or extremely expensive, depending on your preference. A quintessentially Venetian activity, the gondola ride, will cost you dearly. Hopping on a water bus, on the other hand, will be cheap and efficient. The choice is yours.
To finish the rest of your Venice holiday plans, search for international airfare to Venice and read about what to do and see while you're there in the Venice Travel Guide. Be sure to check out the Italy Travel Logue for more first-hand information about visiting Venice, too.
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