Navigation...how to get where
by mapakettle
Venice is a wonderful city to wander, extremely safe, exciting, mysterious, and romantic. The only problem is that it is hard to find your way around, especially if you are in a hurry.
Maps help, but mainly are useful only to find your general location, but because there are so many dead ends, and not every 'street' is indicated or clearly defined, navigating from one spot to another is near impossible.
The city has signs attached to the upper portions of buildings, either hand painted directly to the surface of the wall, or on plywood signs. However, often they are faded, missing, or the arrows indicating direction are confusing. Learn to pay attention to the arrows, and when in doubt, stop for a glass of Vino, because the other tourists are just as confused as you are, and a break is usually more helpful, and enjoyable.
Eventually, you will find your way through the maze. Treat it as an adventure, because it really doesn't get a whole lot easier the next time. Everytime you think you got it beat, Venice slips a piazza smack dab in front of you. The hours spend exploring, the mystery, the romance, the unique qualities Venice has to offer. Nothing can prepare you for this city, pictures don't do it justice, you have to experience it for yourself.
Ma Kettle and I have been to Venice at least twenty times, and we still get lost. The key is not to hurry, don't allow schedules to rush you, just take your time and meander about.
If your tour guide tries to book you an early flight out of Venice, disregard his suggestion, opt for a late morning departure.
The San Marco Cathederal. Nice...
by Lisal
The San Marco Cathederal. Nice architecture.
Walk through the little streets up and down the little bridges. You'll never forget this feeling.
And have a boat ride on the 'Canale Grande' and look at the buildings!!!
Sestiere Castello
by croisbeauty
I suppose we all have our preferable part of Venice which we like better then the other ones. Sestiere di Castello, besides Caneregio, is a part of the town which I like the most. Being away from San Marco and the main vaporetto's lines, it is, more or less, spared of a crowd even in the pick of the season. You wont see lots of fancy palaces here or great many of canals, and yet it is the real soul of Venice the one that lives so characteristic Mediterranean style of life. Sestiere di Castello is not touristy area, instead of groups following their guide here you'll meet individuals or couples strolling around and enjoying in pieceful and pitoresque ordinary life. You'll meet alot of local grandmams seating in small piazettas, chating and making lacies. The local bars are occupied by men who play cards, discuss about fotball (soccer) or just sipping glass of wine. It is a kind of Venice I like.
walking on the right
by Maramato
Whilst walking/strolling in Venice, it is customary to always take the right side of the walkway, bridge to avoid any mishaps! This is the only photo I have to indicate this - not that brilliant but you get the idea.
Mosquito net essential
by colsmart
There are cetain months where the mosquitos breed within the lagoon, and if your hotel or self-catering flat does not have nets, make sure you take some with you.
We made the mistake of not taking a net, and our arms and legs were suppurating by the time we went home.
The mosquitoes in the Lagoon are very small, so a fine net is essential. The locals have no problem with them as their system is almost immune, but they are the most painfull of bites, and you suffer for weeks afterwords.
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Chiesa di San Trovaso in Venice
Artistic enhancements
Walking Venice
Vaporetti stop ("train station")
