Overview Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Venice has many nicknames, perhaps the most famous of them is the "City of Water." This romantic city is made up of over 100 small islands, located along the Adriatic Sea in northern Italy. Venice is particularly famous worldwide for its many canals upon which Venetian Gondola rides are a popular method of transportation.
The summers in Venice are hot, while the winters are mild. The best time to visit Venice, weather-wise, is typically the spring and early summer.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Venice, Italy:
Mediterranean
Transatlantic Cruises
Western Europe
Currency The official currency is the Euro. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using. ATM machines will usually give you a better exchange rate than a bank or hotel. Using a credit card is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Italy is Italian. The Venetians typically speak an Italian variation known as Veneziano. Don't count on finding English speakers outside of the major tourist areas.
Tourist Attractions Piazza San Marco (known as St. Mark's Square in English) is Venice's main square and its central landmark. As such, it's a very popular area with tourists. There are usually many pigeons throughout this area. Some of this area's main buildings include St. Mark's Basilica (the most famous church in Venice and the seat of the Patriarch of Venice) and Doge's Palace (a gothic building that was the home of the Doge of Venice, the chief magistrate and leader of the Republic of Venice).
The canals and streets in Venice are generally narrow. Many travelers simply enjoy wandering around Venice, taking the city in. An extremely popular thing to do in Venice is taking a Gondola ride along the Venetian canals. A Gondola is a traditional Venetian sculling boat. These boats are a common way that the public travels around Venice. You pay for a Gondola on a per trip basis, not a per person basis. They can typically fit up to 6 people in each Gondola. The Grand Canal is typically the most crowded of the canals, as it's the major canal of Venice. If you happen to be traveling along the Grand Canal be sure to look out for Ca' d'Oro, one of the most beautiful palazzos along it.
The Rialto Bridge is the oldest, and probably most famous, of the three bridges that span across the Grand Canal. The construction of this bridge was completed all the way back in 1591, and it is one of the architectural icons of the city of Venice.
The Peggy Guggenheim Museum is a small museum located along the Grand Canal in Venice. A wonderful art collection can be found within it, including some of the works of Picasso and Dali.
Port Location The cruise port in Venice is called the Maritima port, and is located close to Piazzoli Roma. Many cruise lines offer a shuttle service that takes you near St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco).
Travelers that are taking a cruise that departs from Venice, and are staying a few days before the cruise, should know that the only way to get to the port is via water. The most recommended way to do so is via private water taxi.
