Travel Guide: Venice

 Venice is one of the most unique cities I have visited. How many cities float on log pillars after all? A major city that does not have a single car or street is just hard to fathom for those who have never been to this Italian locale.

(Canal view taken from a gondola)

I have spent more time completely lost in Venice than I wish to admit. Upon my first visit I spent over an hour looking for my hotel which ended up being just a block away from where I had first started out. I must have asked at least 10 locals to point me in the right direction. I'm not sure if they honestly did not know or if they got a kick out of sending me on a wild goose chase but, each of them pointed me in a different direction.  I challenge you to be prepared when you arrive and come with detailed directions to your accommodations.

As there are only narrow cobble stone passageways for streets, I highly recommend that you leave large rolling luggage at home. You will have a great deal of trouble rolling that luggage to your hotel. Then, once at the hotel you will be hard pressed to find an elevator. If they do have one, it will likely be the type of thing that is only large enough for you OR your bag, not both.

 (View from Rialto Bridge)

The first hour or so in Venice is a bit of a headache. You are overwhelmed by the beauty and the distinctive character of the city. However, you will have a bit of a fish out of water feeling as you have never had to navigate in a place such as this before. Every time I have been in Venice I have noticed this feeling amongst my travel companions. Once you find your hotel,  leave your bags and get out and start exploring, the anxiety is over and you will find yourself on cloud 9!

DIY Tour Guide:  

I am famous for traveling with a guide book. Yes I stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist but I am a well informed one! There is no need to guess at the age of a statue or wonder where the best coffee shop is located; all of the most important information is in your hand and has been vetted by travel pros! You will not need to pay for the audio guides in museums or guided tours of historical monuments - you have the book and it has all of the information you would get from a guide. I spend the first day or so in a new place exploring the must see, most visited, obvious places as listed in the guide book.

 

(Reading the gondolier a bit of shocking information about some famous Venetians from the guidebook)

Fodors, Rick Steve's, Lonely Planet, Eyewitness Travel - all are great and will do the trick. I usually check out everything the library has on the city I am visiting. I then scan over them and take just one or two on the actual trip. Once I hit the highlights from the book I have likely also found my bearings and will be able to get around the city more easily.  At that point I ditch the book and can spend the remainder of my time getting lost in shops, museums, side streets and restaurants I happen upon.

In Venice these books are indispensable. The maps in the books will save you time as you figure out how to navigate the maze of corridors and canals that is Venice. They will also save you money as you will not need to hire a guide.

While you are at the library (or book store) pick up a pocket Italian language guide. Make sure it includes information about food and wine. Everyone can order spaghetti and pizza but Italy has SO much more to offer! To get a real flavor for the local cuisine you may need to understand a little Italiano!

Getting Around:

The single most important thing to understand about Venice before you arrive is the Vaporetto system. The Vaporetto are public transportation boats that can move you around the city for a minimal cost. The Vaporetto is the equivalent of the subway or bus system in any other major city. Venice is a city of eighteen islands connected by 354 bridges and, again, they have no streets so no buses. You can buy a 1 day, 3 day or week pass for the Vaporetto. These are good for infinite rides within the time frame you have paid for. I was able to explore the main islands of Venice as well as outliers like Lido and Murano with my Vaporetto pass. Check out prices, schedules and routes online before you travel.

(A vaporetto boat docked at a stop near the Rialto Bridge)

Most any way you travel to Venice you will need to get from the main land into the city. The trains drop you off across the open water from the main part of the city. If you drive you will need to park your vehicle in a lot (I recommend the Tronchetto Parking area) and find water transportation into the city.

You can take the extremely pricy water taxis but I would suggest the public transportation.  You will most likely be approached by boat owners who want to offer to be your guide. That is always an option but, you never know who you are getting on a boat with and how much it will end up costing. The city is relatively easy to navigate by vaporetto especially if you have a good map and a travel guide book with you.

When traveling on public transportation in any part of Italy it is imperative that you validate your ticket before you ride. You will see small yellow or red boxes by the subway, vaporetto, train or bus stops. Slide your ticket into that box and it will time stamp your ticket. If you neglect to do this and you are stopped by authorities you will be subject to a steep fine! If you're confused, just watch the locals and do what they do (unless they jump off a bridge... I would not recommend doing that :) ).

Must See: 

• Piazza San Marco - This is the main square in town and is one of the vaporetto stops. There is a massive church with all sorts of historical relics and significance. Your guide book will be able to fill you in on all of the details.  Make sure to inquire about the large horses outside and inside! 

(Views of San Marco)

• Rialto Bridge - You can not miss it. Again, check the guide book for historical information. I highly recommend taking the vaporetto down the grand canal in both directions at various times during the day (sunrise, sunset, mid day, after dark...) as the light changes  on the Rialto Bridge and makes for unforgettable views and photo ops.
• Glass Blowing on the Island of Murano - Venice is famous for its blown glass figurines. The island of Murano is where all of this originated. Go early in the day and you will be able to see Venetian artisans blowing the glass. Be aware that they stop working around 3pm. While you can still visit the shops on this island, after 3pm you will not be able to view the artists at work.
• Lido island - Have you ever been on a cruise and joined in on a conga line on the lido deck? Well, this island is to blame for the famously named pool deck. It is the family friendly beach/party island. If you have a spare day, go out to Lido and enjoy the beach. Grab a cone of gelato and have a fantastic and relaxing day on the beach!
• Fish Market - Each morning there is a fish market starting around sunrise. Get up early, get an Itallian coffee and pastry before heading out to the fish market. You will peruse the days catch with local restauranteurs.  Ask the fishermen what is in season and order it later that night for dinner!
• Drinks - Venice is located in the Veneto wine region. The crown jewel of this region is Amarone. It can be expensive but it is an amazing wine and must be tasted while you are in the area. Another alcoholic beverage that can not be missed is the Belini. This blend of prosecco (sparkling white wine/Italian champagne)  and peach puree is a Venetian tradition!
• Gondola ride - You kind of have to... The cost of a 45 minute ride starts around 90 euros in the off season and goes up from there and you have to pay extra to get the gondolier to sing.  If you are trying to save some money, pair up with another couple or family and share a ride. The gondolas can hold 6 to 8 people and you can just divide the cost amongst yourselves. Also, I suggest taking a bottle of wine with you and enjoying it on your ride (I do turn into a bit of a lush as soon as I hit the Italian border so, you can disregard that suggestion if you do not share my love of Italian wines #PurpleTeeth).

(Canal view from the bow of a gondola)

There is so much to be written about this fantastic destination. However, the best advice I can give you is to get out and explore it on your own. You will find some little cafe or resturant that will make your trip memorable and uniquely yours.  My friends and I wound up at a James Taylor concert in the middle of a public piazza in the pouring rain. "Oh I've seen fire and I've seen rain..." has never been more moving! We then stopped in for a drink at a random bar near our hotel and found that it was the after work hang out for the gondoliers. We were the only ones in there not in striped shirts and straw hats. I hope your time in Venice is just as exciting and memorable!

My Carry-On Travel Essentials

I was never a girl scout but I do pride myself on always being prepared. When it comes to airplane travel, I have a well rehearsed routine for packing my carry-on bag. Too much in your carry-on is a burden. Underpacking your carry-on can lead to spending unnecessary money in one of the airport shops because you either forgot something or you did not bring along enough stuff to keep you occupied.

This is my tried and true carry-on packing list:

Health and Beauty: 

• Lip Balm/Chapstick
• Moisturizer
• Makeup Basics (foundation, blush, mascara)
• Facial Wipes
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Glasses/Contacts

*Keep it simple. Unless I am traveling for business purposes I generally board the flight with next to no make up on. The dry, recirculated air does strange things to make up and skin. Just before landing, I take a trip to the restroom with my pouch full of beauty items. I brush my teeth, pop in my contacts, use one of the facial wipes to freshen up, reapply moisturizer then put on light makeup so I can face the day in a new city and not look like an ogre. Remember to pack all of these items in a large zip-lock bag in your carry on. They will make you take them out to go through security and it saves everyone time if you are prepared.

Entertainment: 

• High Quality Headphones/Earbuds
• Great Playlist(s)
• A Good Book
• 2 Snacks: One Salty and One Sweet 

*TSA now allows small electronic devices inflight so you can take along your iPod, iPad, Kindle or other device of your choice. Download some new tunes to check out inflight but also make a playlist of old favorites. I prefer slower relaxing music while in transit - it helps me stay calm and makes it easier to read and nap. Make sure your headphones or earbuds are comfortable and noise canceling if possible. You may have to drown out the sounds of a crying baby 2 rows back or a snoring passenger just beside you not to mention the constant announcements from the flight crew. A good book is just obvious. I allow one gossip magazine of the US weekly persuasion from time to time as well, but when push comes to shove, it's a waste of space.

 Now let's talk snacks. You will most likely get hungry during your flight, you will be trapped and locked into whatever package of "savory or sweet" inflight treats you are offered. Put a handful of almonds and a box of raisins (or whatever you like) in your bag and you will be prepared if the hunger monster stops by for a visit (If you're traveling internationally remember, no agricultural products).

3+ hour or international flight add-ons:

• Passport
• Sleep Mask
• Leggings
• Comfy Socks
• Change of Undergarments

*Long-haul flights require a few extra amenities be packed. Try a sleep mask. People either love them or hate them. If you are not in either camp yet, give one a try because they make a world of difference!

Leggings and comfy socks are for mid flight. Either wear them onto the flight or change into them once you are in the air. You better believe you are going to want them when you are ready to get as comfortable as a 757 will allow at 30,000 feet.

The change of undergarments is just in case you wind up trapped in an airport due to a missed connection or if your luggage is lost. These are not situations you want to find yourself in unprepared! 

   

Additional Travel Tips: 

• BYOB: Those airplane bottles/minis they sell do have a purpose. While mixed drinks inflight can cost anywhere from $8 to $15 there is another way to enjoy an adult beverage and keep from breaking the bank. Ask the flight attendant for a soda (which is already included with the cost of your airline ticket), drop in your own libations and voila - you're a jetsetting, party girl on a budget! #balleronabudget Have a safe, fun flight & drink responsibly! 
• If you are traveling internationally be advised that in the US you are allowed 4oz of liquid and most travel bottles are made this size. In Europe, you are only allowed 100mL of liquid which is less than 4oz (3.38oz to be exact). This is a big pain in the rear. I had my 4oz travel bottle of contact solution confiscated once when traveling home from Europe.  And the bottle being already used and half empty will not suffice, I already tried that.
• Check out the amenities at the airports you will be passing through online before you travel. You will find hidden gems at each airport if you do your research in advance. I had the most amazing pancakes at a Wolfgang Puck restaurant in London Heathrow airport once. In Munich, I found a lounge area called NapCabs. It is a public sleeping area with charging stations for your electronic items and comfy chairs. You never know what you might find, so check in advance to see if there is something you should not miss. 

Safe Travels and Bon Voyage!!