Best times to spend in Venice
by coneyislandgreen
I love Venice. But I did not grow to love Venice very quickly. I lived just 45 minutes away by train and so went very often. My advice is to spend time there from late Fall till early Spring and make plenty of time to wander around in the evening. This goes for almost all European cities. My first visit in the summer left me baffled at how commercial and frantic a place can be. This time in the middle of a summer afternoon can lead you to wonder if the city was deserted by Venetians upon the arrival of the baggage heavy, high standard tourists.
As the seasons changed though I grew to love the erie, fog filled, canals of such a ornate and wordly place. If we were to travel back in time to another planet Venice would be that ancient planet of the past. Crowds have calmed down, the quarters are more mysterious. You find yourself eavesdropping through the windows of back alleys onto chefs smoking a cigarette over the days catch or an old couple watching Italia Uno over a coffee in there kitchen. It feels very personal and absolutely true. A visit through the Jewish quarter while preparing for sabbeth seems like a gem of a moment. The evenings are returned to the community and to not be outside enjoying the evening would be a great thing missed.
Know your streets and canals
by Tijavi
To a first time visitor, Venetian street and canal names could be confusing. Here's a short guide on the local system of naming streets and canals:
Corte - as the name suggests, it's a small courtyard as compared to the much larger campo
Salizada - the local equivalent for an avenue, it is a wide, main street (yes, street, not canal).
Fondamenta - my first encounter with this word was one of utter ignorance. Now, I know refers to a street that runs along a canal.
Riva - the larger, wider version of a fondamenta.
Sotoportego - it's a covered passageway.
Rio Terra - my favorite, this represents man's (or more appropriately, the Venetians') triumph over nature - a filled-in canal more often as a public square (or more like an environmental issue?)
Ruga - not a dog's name (sounds like one!), but rather refers to a shop-lined street.
To add to the confusion, some streets and canals have more than one name!
Sestiere Giudecca
by croisbeauty
I was so many times in Venice, can't remember the number, but the truth is I've never visited Sestiere Giudecca. Actually, it is off the main walking routes and one can get it by vaporetto only. In one of my future visitings I'll have to visit it finally.
Aaaah, the carnival!!!
by sim1
Aaaah, the carnival!!! Even in November there are lots of places where you are reminded that Venice is the place to be for the carnival. Hmmm, wouldn't mind seeing that, wow, must be so busy in Venice, but so much alive! Aaah... maybe one day....
Caffe Florian
by croisbeauty
In 1720, an unknown coffee-house proprietor called Floriano Francesconi opened his cafe under the Procurative Nuove, unaware that he was creating an institution.
When visiting Venice caffe Florian is a must see. In the cold windy days you can enjoy in its fancy decorated rooms, while in the summer days on the open terrace in front where the orchrestra play classical music.
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Danieli Palace (3 buildings)
St Mark's Basilica
Our gondola awaits us
Chiesa dei Santa Sofia-presepe
