Venice, Italy

Best Places to Stay

• **Luxury**: Aman Venice, The Gritti Palace, Belmond Hotel Cipriani
• **Mid-range**: Hotel Casa Carlotta, Ai Artisti Hotel, Hotel Giorgione
• **Budget**: Generator Venice, Plus Venice Hostel, Olimpia Hotel

Best Places to Eat

• **Fine Dining**: Oro, Ristorante Da Ivo, Antiche Carampane
• **Traditional Venetian**: Osteria Alle Testiere, Trattoria da Romano, Cantina Do Spade
• **Cicchetti (Venetian tapas)**: Cantina Do Mori, Osteria Al Bovo, Taverna San Trovaso
• **Seafood**: Ristorante Vecio Cavalletto e Canonica, Osteria Alle Testiere
• **Sweets**: Pasticceria Tonolo, Dal Mas, Rosa Salva

Best Sites to Visit

• **St. Mark's Square**: St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Campanile, Torre dell'Orologio
• **Grand Canal**: Gondola ride, palazzos along the canal, Rialto Bridge
• **Islands**: Murano (glass blowing), Burano (lace and colorful houses), Torcello
• **Neighborhoods**: Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Castello
• **Churches**: Santa Maria della Salute, San Zaccaria, Santi Giovanni e Paolo
• **Museums**: Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Accademia Galleries, Palazzo Ducale

Sample 2-3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: St. Mark's & Grand Canal

• Morning: St. Mark's Basilica (early to avoid crowds), Doge's Palace
• Afternoon: Campanile for panoramic views, Torre dell'Orologio
• Evening: Gondola ride at sunset, dinner in Cannaregio or Dorsoduro

Day 2: Islands & Local Exploration

• Morning: Boat trip to Murano (glass factories), then Burano (lace shops, colorful houses)
• Alternative: Torcello for ancient churches and peaceful atmosphere
• Afternoon: Explore Dorsoduro (Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Campo Santa Margherita)
• Evening: Cicchetti crawl in Campo Santa Margherita or Campo San Barnaba

Day 3: Hidden Venice & Art

• Morning: Explore Cannaregio (Jewish Ghetto, Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto)
• Alternative: Gallerie dell'Accademia for Venetian masterpieces
• Afternoon: Visit a mask-making atelier, or explore the lesser-known Castello district
• Evening: Farewell dinner with a view of the lagoon, perhaps at a restaurant on the Fondamente Nove

*Note: Get an ACTV travel card for vaporetto (water bus) access. Venice floods (acqua alta) can occur, especially in fall - check tide forecasts. Wear comfortable shoes for lots of walking and bridges.*