Bridges, Venice

1 more image

Favorite thing: Venice is a wonderful boatride for many visitors, that and the shops and museums are the focus. However, I would suggest that you take time to sit on a bridge and make photos of the gondolas, the people and bring home the feel of Venice. With the usual digital cameras it is not always possible to make photos of the whole boat, but don't despair, make it more of a people shot.

Fondest memory: Watching people being happy. That is a nice memory from a tranquil day in Venice.

4 more images

Favorite thing: Yep that many! Make sure you take a Gondola tour (little pricey but worth it!, make sure also you talk the price down, they do it!!, pretend you are living if they don't, they will call you back), because it's pretty amazing watching the "Gondolieri" bend down under each one of them...that's gotta take lots of practice :-)

Favorite thing: Pack comfortable shoes for this city. There are hundreds of bridges, most are just a few steps up and then down, but after walking up and down about 50 of these, your legs will get tired. There aren't handrails and the steps can be uneven. It makes for a wonderful workout. In addition, this city (as most of Europe) is not handicapp friendly at all. A wheelchair will not go far and crutches will get tiresome after a few trips over the bridges. Also there are a lot of narrow alleyways to manuever. I was there in December 2009. The weather was ideal, though chilly at first, but after walking for a while, layers were coming off.

Favorite thing: The bridges in Venice originally had no parapets. These were added to prevent people from falling into the water. Ponte Chiodo is the only bridge without parapet in Venice, not counting the one in the island of Torcello.

The bridge spans rio San Felice and is located in the sestriere of Cannareggio.

2 more images

Favorite thing: Some of my favorite things about Venice are the views from the accademia bridge. Looking toward the lagoon you see incredible buildings, colorful boats, crossing gondolas and brightly painted "barber poles". No matter where you stand on the bridge you see incredible sights. You can watch the lagoon as the fog rolls in, you can watch barges takes goods up and down the canal, you can watch the vaporettos pick up and drop off people as they continue on their journey through Venice.

Another great thing about the Accademia Bridge is it's closeness to St. Marks. If you stay in the Dorsoduro area, this is the bridge to cross to get to St. Marks. There is also a vaporettos stop at the Bridge, making it very convenient if you want to see the Galleria dell' Accademia.

Fondest memory: One of my fondest memories of Venice is standing on the Accademia bridge, looking towards the lagoon and watching the fog roll in. It is such an amazing site to see. My husband and I were just amazed at the beauty of this scene. So if you get the chance, stop by the Accademia bridge and soak up the views.

Favorite thing: The Rialto stone bridge, 48 m long and 22 m wide, offers one of the most beautiful views of the Grand Canal, Venice’s main water thoroughfare, with an uninterrupted series of palaces and churches facing the canal along its entire 4-km length.

1 more image

Favorite thing: Much has been said about the RIALTO bridge in Venice you can read, imagine but nothing to beat the real experience of passing under it, climbing its stairways, shopping in the many stores that it holds, the different colours and expressions at different times of the day, really fantastic.

Favorite thing: Before i forget, if you ever get the chance to visit this famous bridge in the off season, sometimes if you are very nice and they are in a good mood you may be able to actually walk across the bridge of sighs without a guide and explore the Doge's palace at your own pace. Ask at the palace ticket office, you never know, it might be your lucky day. (Please go to must see activaties) for photos of the bridge.

Favorite thing: Venice is a unique town. The canals and bridges instead of "normal" streets. Often you can see hanging laundry on the canal... I like this view, this make the specific atmosphere of Venice.

Fondest memory: Canals, gondolas, bridges, many tourists, great ice cream, pizza on the street, elegant shops and restaurants... venetian masks, glass of Murano... and many more

Favorite thing: Spanning the narrowest section of the Grand Canal, the Rialto bridge is located in the most commercial area of the city. So commercial in fact, that they built this bridge with 2 rows of shops. Until the 19th century, this was the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal.
Besides the shops lining the bridge, you'll find more tourist shops and an open air market along the Ruga degli Orefici on the San Polo side.
And just a little further are 2 restaurants that maintain reasonable prices, the Cantina Do Spade (see my 'restaurant tips') and Vini da Pinto on the Campiello Beccarie.