Sea Voyage to Venice

If you time your travels correctly, you may experience Venice's pre-Lenten Carnavale celebration, the acclaimed International Film Fest (end of summer), or the Biennale (topics rotate every other year). If a crowded calendar isn't your idea of vacation, you can still find terrific Italian entertainment by simply going to church concerts, outdoor cafes, gelaterias, or the casino.

See the Sights

1. Mercato Rialto is a must. Embellish the chef's menu by picking up fresh produce or fish. Cap off the evening with your new Prosecco purchase. Raise a glass to la dolce vita!
2. Grand Canal. You're here because you love exploring by water so immerse yourself in the quintessential Venetian scene. One gondola ride from Ferrovia (the train station) to Piazza San Marco and you'll feel completely in synch with the rhythm of Venice.
3. Punta della Dogana (Customs House) sees the Grand Canal meet the lagoon. You can view San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, and your fellow Venetian aficionados while you picnic in peace.
4. Campanile di San Marco offers a brand new perspective. As Venice's tallest bell tower, you will get aerial views you have to see to believe. Inhale deeply and remind yourself how nice life is from the top.
5. Palazzo Ducale, Venice's royal palace, is especially enticing to those with a dark side. Check out hidden torture chambers and secret passageways while imagining the building's subterranean history.