Venice Location guide

Gabriele Fiamma, a fifteenth-century writer said: "I was born a Venetian and live in this happy homeland, protected by the prayers and guardianship of Saint Mark, from whom that Most Serene Republic acknowledges its greatness, its victories and all its good fortune".

During the time of the Republic, Venetians of all classes identified strongly with their city,believing that it was a place chosen by God and that they were a chosen people. Today, the city still bestows a wonderfully secure feeling of being enveloped by something real and lasting, even as it crumbles into the sea. With its canals, gondolas, beautiful squares, and ancient art-filled palaces rising up out of the waters, Venice truly is a world apart. The entire city is an architectural masterpiece, one of the world's great treasures. The city, made up of 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon on the northeast coast of Italy, is the capital of the Veneto region.

10 Things to See and Do
St Mark's Square
St Mark's Basilica
The Doge’s Palace
The Clock Tower (Torre del’Orologio)
Rialto Bridge and Markets
The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Church
Galleria dell'Accademia art gallery
The Venetian Ghetto district
Ca’ d’Oro - a gothic palace
Ca’ Rezzonico - a museum dedicated to 18th century Venice

Events in Venice
There are so many to choose from but these are my favorites.

February
The Carnival
During the time of the Republic of Venice, all classes of Venetians walked in maschera, disguised in masks and costumes. Everyone, rich and poor alike, could change their identities and act out their desires. The re-creation of this ancient festival, which takes place every winter for the ten days preceding Lent, offers visitors from all over the world a chance to dress up and feel a part of the place and its history. Be prepared for crowds but also for numerous performances and costume parades.

November
Festival of the Salute
Every November 21st, a temporary pontoon bridge is constructed across the Grand Canal from San Moise’ to Dorsoduro and the Church of the Salute. This Baroque Church with its breathtaking Byzantine dome was constructed to honor the Virgin after a great plague decimated one-third of the city’s population in 1629-30. Designed by Baldassare Longhena, the church took 50 years to complete.
The high altar, with its 12th century Byzantine painting of the Virgin, is surrounded by the faithful as Mass is said every hour. Outside, people buy candles from stalls to bring in and light, each person taking the flame from another. In a nearby campo, all manner of sweets and pastries are sold, including the famous fritelle, (fried doughy pastries) covered with sugar or with Nutella, a hazelnut sweet spread. This is a truly a special day in which visitors can participate in an authentic and untouristy occasion, entering into the real life of the city and its inhabitants.

August - September
The Venice Film Festival which takes place every year in late August or early September on the Lido. Screenings are held in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi and it is a great opportunity for celebrity spotting.
The Biennale, an international art exposition, which takes place in odd numbered years, from June to November. Most events are located in the Giardini Pubblici and at the Corderie dell'Arsenale, although there are shows at venues throughout the city.

Local food and drink

The Veneto region is known for its Prosecco, a light, sparkling, white wine created from Prosecco grapes, grown mainly near Conegliano and Valdobbiadene at the foothills of the Alps. Served chilled as is, or mixed with Campari and a splash of mineral water to make a Spritz cocktail, it’s the perfect accompaniment for Venetian cicchetti, or appetizers. Stop in at one of the may wine bars or baccari in Venice for a Prosecco and such traditional Venetian appetizers as: fondi di carciofo saltati, olio, aglio, e prezzemolo, lightly fried artichoke hearts; baccala' mantecato, creamed cod-fish, ready to spread on fresh bread or drizzle on hot polenta; folpetti, octopus, boiled and dressed with oil and parsley; or verdurine fritte, fried vegetables.

Local Product - Glass

The island of Murano, just seven minutes by boat from Venice, is synonymous with the highest quality glass made in the world. For hundreds of years, the artisans of Murano have been innovators in the design and production of all kinds of glass objects: vases, bowls, mirrors, light fixtures, glasses, dishes, paperweights, jewelry, and precious art. You can find all of these and more in factories and showrooms on Murano, and in shops in central Venice. However, copies of characteristic Venetian designs are being made in Asia for sale overseas. In response to this threat, a Murano trademark was registered with the European Union in 2002. So before making a purchase, look for a lilac-colored sticker with a cana de soffio, a glassmaker's blowpipe, and the inscription: artistic glass Murano.

Spotlight on Torre del’Orologio
Designed by Mauro Codussi and completed in 1499, the Torre del’Orologio, or Moors’ Clock Tower, is one of the most important architectural landmarks in the city. It is located on the north side of Piazza San Marco over an arch that leads to the Merceria, the main shopping area that continues on to the Rialto. The blue and gold gilt clock shows the time of day, the signs of the zodiac, and the phases of the moon and the sun. Above the clock is a niche with the Madonna and Child, and on Ascension Day statues of the three kings pass in front. Still higher, the Lion of St. Mark stands out in relief against a night sky, and on a terrace at the top of the tower, two blackened bronze figures, the Moors, ring a bell on the hour. Tours are available to ascend into the tower to see the inner workings of the clock, get a close-up view of the giant Moors and a marvelous panorama of the Piazza and the Basin of St. Mark.

How to get there
Venice can be reached by its own airport, Marco Polo, by neighboring Treviso airport, by its train station, Santa Lucia, and by its bus station, at Piazzale Roma.
By plane: Marco Polo International Airport is located on the mainland, just north of Venice. To reach Venice, take an Alilaguna waterbus, a water taxi (much more expensive), or a bus to Piazzale Roma.
Treviso Airport, with flights from major European Cities, is connected to Venice by bus service.
By train: Venice’s train station, Stazione di Santa Lucia is linked directly to many Italian cities and to major European centers.
By car: When you arrive at the edge of the city, you’ll have to leave your car in one of the nearby car parks, Piazzale Roma (the bus terminal) or Tronchetto, and then continue by foot or by boat.
Take the A4 from Trieste and from Turin, the A27 from Belluno, the A13 from Bologna, and the state roads SS 309 Romea from the Adriatic Coast, SS 14 from Trieste, SS 13 from Treviso, SS 11 from Padua. Signs will indicate how to get onto the Ponte della Libertà, the only vehicle access road to Venice. You can then take an exit to Piazzale Roma or to Tronchetto.