Women-Friendly Travel in Venice
The Venice women-friendly travel guide places explicit women-friendly and family confidence signals first, while keeping uncertain details visible for review.
Venice
Rialto Bridge Market
If you are on a budget, this is the best market to buy everything under the sun, from fish to garments to souvenirs.
Venice
Food
Italian coffee, candy, cookies, and other common food items could be given as gifts or saved for a special occasion. An almond sweet called Torrone and Perugina chocolate wrapped in ornament-shaped plastic balls are very much in demand during Christmas time. A great shop called I Tre Mercanti has excellent packaged gourmet foods and offers a large variety of pasta sauces. I Tre Mercanti Address: Sestiere Castello, 5364 30122 Venice
Venice
Gondolier hats
Very practical in the sun, they are attractive and make a great Venetian souvenir.
Venice
Stationery
Handcrafted marbleized paper, travel diaries and other fancy stationery items make interesting gifts. Traditional Venetian metal stamps, sealing-wax kits will make a memorable souvenir for the recipient.
Venice
Books, maps, postcards, and prints
Many large book stores in Venice house a vast selection of travel books, coffee-table books, and maps, many of which cannot be found in any other country. A great buy are the postcards and packets of accordion-fold photo cards as they make a great souvenir. St. Mark's Basilica is one of the popular postcard shops around. Posters, prints and wall maps also make splendid gifts and souvenirs. When buying posters make sure they are rolled up and packed in a tube for easy carrying.
Venice
Games
Games of various types have been designed and played by Venetians for a long time. Venice boasts two world-renowned game designers, Marco Maggi and Francesco Nepitello who also own a wonderful little shop called Lanterna Magica which sells toys and Venetian crafts and games like War of the Rings, Age of Conan, and Marvel Heroes which have been created by them. Lanterna Magica Address: Calle delle Bande in Castello
Venice
Ca' dei Dogi
Owners Stefano and Susanna have turned a 15th century palace into a delightful little hotel located in a peaceful courtyard away from the noise of the city. The owners have personally decorated the rooms, some of which have private terraces with modern furniture and added traditional Venetian characteristics such as wall tapestries and mosaic tiles. An attic apartment is also available. The owners personally welcome the guest and excellent service is provided to them. The hotel has a courtyard where one can enjoy breakfast or have a nice quiet moment. The terraces provide views of the Doge's Palace.
Venice
Murano glass
Murano glass artists produce large, inexpensive quantities of souvenirs that are sophisticated, attractive, and even amusing. Available are glass beads in several colors, loose or threaded into attractive necklaces. Mock candy complete with mock paper wrappers, to use as decorations on a windowsill, or on Christmas-trees. A little more costly are fishbowls or aquariums. A place to shop for Murano glass objects is the close by Murano Glass Island where there are several shops beside the island's central canal.
Venice
What to do with children in tow
A gondola ride would a very enjoyable experience for a child or adult. This might be a little expensive so one should consider the convenient and less expensive option which is a ride on the no. 1 vaporetto. Both rides offer entirely different experiences. The gondola takes you on a journey where one gets to see some unique buildings like view Marco Polo's house. On the other hand, the vaporetto provides a practical yet beautiful ride down the Grand Canal. One can find here boats of various kinds and services like the ambulance boat, the garbage boat, the firefighters' boat, the funeral boat, and even a delivery boat of Coca-Cola. Sometimes, also visible are special gondolas filled with flowers carrying a blissful bride and groom. Feeding the pigeons in Piazza San Marco could be the highlight of a child’s visit to Venice. Be sure to buy a bag of corn and you'll be draped surrounded by pigeons within seconds. This is also a great photo opportunity. Warn your child of the all the fluttering and flapping. An excursion to the Murano Island could provide a lot of recreation along with education. Ask around for a furnace, or the glass factory. Free entertainment would be provided to children in the form of a glass-blowing performance of the island's thousand-year-old art. Another breathtaking sight is that from top of the Campanile di San Marco (the highest structure in the city).One can take the elevator there for a pigeon's-eye view of Venice's rooftops and church cupolas, or view the four bronze horses on the portico of the Basilica San Marco. This view from its outdoor terrace will be retained in one memory for years to come. For older children, the Museo Navale & Arsenale, (Museum of Venetian Navy) has on display ship models and old vessels. The Museo Civico Correr (Correr Civic Museum), also displays many historic artifacts which are substantial remnants of Venice’s glorious times. Children can also be kept away from mischief by involving them in a competition to count how many times they can spot the winged lion, which is a kind of symbol of Italy. It is also known to have been a lucky mascot for St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, thus its popularity. You will see it on numerous things from T-shirts to napkins on buildings facades, on columns, doorways, as pavement mosaics, on the local flag and government stamps.
Venice
Arsenale
The Arsenale is a shipyard in Venice, which played a vital role in the development of the Venetian Republic. The Italian Navy is now running the yard and it occasionally opens to public like on the Biennale and for the festival of traditional Venetian boats, held in May each year. According to historical records the Arsenale started functioning in 1104. Sometimes up to 16,000 arsenalotti or workers used to be employed at the yard and they used to be among the best shipbuilders in the world. The ‘Inferno’ by Dante has truly captured these sweating men armed with pitch and boiling tar. The Arsenale has an extraordinary Renaissance gateway guarded by four lions which were taken from Francesco Morosini, who defeated Turkey in 1687 and won the Peloponnese. Address: Campo dell'Arsenale, Castello, Venice
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Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica)
The design and the architectural style for Basilica di San Marco, complete with five mosque-like domes, was inspired from Constantinople. To honor the patron saint of Venice, from a small chapel, through the centuries, predominantly the 11th c., wealthy Venetian merchants and politicians have been donating gifts to expand and enhance the beauty of this church, the saint's final resting place and have also constructed the adjoining Palazzo Ducale. This church is more grand and unique than any other Roman Catholic Church. It is also known as Chiesa d'Oro or the Golden Church. It has a vast interior exquisitely gilded with Byzantine mosaics added over the period of 7 centuries. These mosaics cover every inch of both ceiling and pavement. One can go the Galleria upstairs for a better look at these amazing ceiling mosaics and the Oriental carpet like patterns of the pavement mosaics. The Galleria was originally the women's gallery or matroneum. It is also the only way to access the outside Loggia dei Cavalli. One can also view the renowned Triumphal Quadriga of four gilded bronze horses here. It was brought to Venice from Constantinople in 1204, together with the Lion of St. Mark (mascot of the patron saint and the former republic) and other valuables from the Crusades. The restored originals are on display inside to the small museum. The outdoor Loggia dei Cavalli provides a superb view of the piazza and the quadriga, which Napoleon said, upon his arrival in Venice in 1797, was the "the most beautiful salon in the world". The 500-year-old Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) stands on the right and on the left is the Campanile (Bell Tower), and beyond, the glistening waters of the open lagoon and Palladio's Chiesa di San Giorgio on its own island. The marvelous altarpiece known as the Pala d'Oro or Golden Altarpiece is the church’s greatest wealth. It is a Gothic masterpiece encrusted with approximately 2,000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. It was made in the 10th century and was decorated by Venetian and Byzantine artisans between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is placed behind the main altar, which covers the tomb of St. Mark. It is also very interesting to view the Tesoro (Treasury), which is a collection of the Crusaders' loot from Constantinople and various other icons and relics that have collected by the church over the years. Most of the booty from Venice has been used to decorate the interior and exterior of the basilica in the form of marble, columns, capitals, and statues. Madonna di Nicopeia, second in importance to the Pala d'Oro, is a 10th-century bejeweled icon taken from Constantinople and exhibited in its own chapel to the left of the main altar. She is regarded to be one of the protective patrons of present-day Venice. The guards at the cathedral's entrance will deny entry to those in inappropriate attire i.e. shorts, sleeveless shirts and shirts revealing the midriff and skirts above the knee. The Basilica is open Sunday morning for those who wish to attend Mass, but is not open for tourists until later. Hours: Basilica, Tesoro, and Pala d'Oro: summer Mon-Sat 9:45am-5pm; Sun 2-5pm (in winter usually closes an hour earlier). Museo Marciano: summer daily 9:45am-5pm (in winter usually closes an hour earlier Location: San Marco, Piazza San Marco Phone: 041-522-5697 Prices: Basilica, free admission; Museo Marciano (St. Mark's Museum, also called La Galleria, includes Loggia dei Cavalli), 1.50€ ($1.95); Tesoro (Treasury), 2€ ($2.60)
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Biennale d'Arte
Biennale d'Arte is a large exhibition held from late May to October very odd numbered year, which presents the latest in contemporary painting and sculpture from several countries. It is renowned as one of the world's best international modern-art shows. It is so popular that visiting crowds fill up the pavilions of the public gardens at the east end of Castello and in the Arsenale. The exhibition has bestowed awards, in the past to Jackson Pollock, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, and Federico Fellini, among others. Tel. 041-521-8846 or 041-271-9005 www.labiennale.org Tickets (17€/$22; 9.50/$12 students) can be reserved online or by calling tel. 199-199-100 in Italy.
Venice
Burano
A peaceful village which has brightly painted houses lining the canals. As this village’s fishing based economy dwindled, the residents took to lace making to earn a living. As soon as you enter the village, by the time you reach the Piazza Galuppi, the main square you would have passed dozens of stalls of lace vendors. These ladies are very proud of their unique product so they don’t offer great bargains. Authentic handmade Burano lace costs $1,000 to $2,000 for a 10-inch piece. The Museo del Merletto or the Lace Museum offers an awesome insight into the delicate intricacies of lace making. The museum also serves as a skills center as on weekdays one can see women practice lace making. Sometimes a few pieces are also put up for sale. Address: Piazza Galuppi 187. 041/730034 Musei Civici pass EUR 18. Apr.-Oct., daily 10-5pm; Nov.-Mar., daily 10-4 pm Location: Islands of the Lagoon
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Ca' d'Oro
Located along the Grand Canal, this beautiful Gothic palace was constructed in 1434 by Marino Contarini for his wife. To express his love for his wife, he literally created a "Golden House" as the palaces marble traceries and ornaments were embellished with pure gold. Ca' d'Oro palace again became a gift of love when a 19th-century Russian prince presented it to Maria Taglioni, a famous classical dancer. The last owner left the palace to the city of Venice, after having had it restored and decorated with antiquities, sculptures, and paintings that presently form the Galleria Franchetti. Besides the famous work ‘St. Sebastian’ by Andrea Mantegna and other classic Venetian art, the Galleria Franchetti contains the type of fresco that long ago existed on the exteriors several Venice buildings.
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Ca' Pesaro
Located on the Grand Canal and housed in a late Renaissance palace, these two museums have an impressive collection of art. The first collection is the Museo d'Arte Moderna or the Museum of Modern Art. Here numerous works of art are displayed, most of which have been bought during Venice's own Biennale over the years. The artists displayed include Chagall, Kandinsky, Klimt, Miró, Henry Moore, Umberto Boccioni, Morandi, and Filippo De Pisis. The top floor houses the Museo d'Arte Orentale collection, which mostly comprises Japanese artifacts, and Chinese, Javanese, Siamese (Thai), Cambodian, and Indonesian pieces. This oriental collection might be relocated to the Palazzo Marcello. Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-6pm Address: Santa Croce 2076 Phone 041-524-1173 Prices Admission 5.50€ ($7.15), free for children under 12
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Ca' Rezzonico (Museo del '700 Veneziano; Museum of 18th-Century Venice)
Ca' Rezzonico is a beautiful palace on the Grand Canal and is most famous for being the final home of English poet Robert Browning, after the death of his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It was reopened in 2001 after a complete restoration. This museum shows the general public the lifestyle in a luxurious Venetian home in the concluding years of the Venetian Republic. Initiated by Baldassare Longhena, the 17th-century architect of La Salute Church, the Rezzonico palace is an extravagant setting for this collection of period paintings, notably works by Venetian artists Tiepolo and Guardi, and a special room dedicated to several works by Longhi, furniture, tapestries, and artifacts. This museum best depicts the occasionally flippant lifestyle of the Venetians. The likes and fashions preferred by the wealthy Rezzonico family of merchants, especially the generously frescoed ballroom stirs up images of the lifestyle of the idle Venetian rich 200 years ago. Hours: Wed-Mon 10am-6pm Location: Dorsoduro (on the Grand Canal on Fondamenta Rezzonico) Phone: 041-241-0100, 041-520-4036 Prices: Admission 6.50€ ($8.50) adults, 4.50€ ($5.85) students
Venice
Campanile di San Marco (Bell Tower)
The 1000 years old brick bell tower is 325 feet tall, excluding the angel. It suddenly collapsed in 1902, crushing with it Jacopo Sansovino's 16th century marble loggia at the foundation. The loggia was immediately restored, and the tower was rebuilt according to the old plan and was opened for public in 1912. In the 15th century this tower was used to punish clerics found guilty of immoral behavior. They were suspended in wooden cages from the tower and were either left to starve or forced to survive on bread and water for as long as a year. On a clear day the view from the tower includes the Lido, the lagoon, and the mainland as far as the Alps. Strangely none of the innumerable canals of Venice are visible. Address: Piazza San Marco, Venice Phone: 041/5224064 Location: Piazza San Marco Cost: EUR 6 Open: Apr.-June, daily 9:30-5; July-Sept., daily 9:45-8; Oct.-Mar., daily 9:45-4. Last entry ½ hr before closing
Venice
Campo San Polo
Many years ago, at the Campo San Polo bull races took place, fairs and military parades were held but now only the city’s outdoor cinema is set up here on summer nights. The church located here called the Chiesa di San Polo was restored several times but little remains of the original 9th-century building, and the 19th-century alterations were so expensive that the friars had to sell off many great paintings to pay bills. Though the work of Giambattista Tiepolo is displayed here, his work is outdone by 16 paintings by his son Giandomenico (1727-1804), including the Stations of the Cross in the oratory. San Polo's bell tower has not changed through the centuries. The highlight of the tower is the two lions guarding it, playing with a serpent and a Human head. Address: Campo San Polo, Venice Phone: 041/2750462 Chorus Cost: EUR 3, Chorus pass EUR 9 Open: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
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Campo Santo Stefano
Located in the city's most affluent residential areas, surprisingly, this square once hosted bullfights! There was only a stone avenue called a “liston” here, and was a very popular walking area. So much so that in Venetian language "andare al liston" still means "to go for a walk." Campo Santo Stefano is a popular meeting spot and outdoor fairs during Christmas and Carnival seasons are also held here. A must see is the 14th-century Chiesa di Santo Stefano and its ship's-keel roof, created by shipbuilders. Address: Campo Santo Stefano, San Marco, Venice Phone: 041/2750462 Chorus Cost: EUR 3, Chorus pass EUR 9 Open: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
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Gesuati
Giorgio Massari was commissioned to build this monument, in remembrance of the day when the Dominicans took hold of the church of Santa Maria della Visitazione from the suppressed order of Gesuati laymen in 1668. The building houses several works by Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770), Giambattista Piazzetta (1683-1754), and Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734). Address: Zattere, Dorsoduro, Venice Phone: 041/2750462 Chorus Cost: EUR 3, Chorus pass EUR 9 Open: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
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Museo Correr
The exhibits in this museum are as diverse as they are interesting. The Venetian art and historical objects vary from shoes with ludicrously high-soles worn by 16th-century Venetian ladies who had to maintain their balance with the help of a servant, to a work of art by Jacopo de' Barbari called ‘Grande Pianta Prospettica’ (circa 1440-1515), which is a detailed impression of the entire 16th century Venice done in carved wood. Several rooms occupy objects and art that depict Venice’s naval history, through extremely descriptive paintings and several sea objects, including ships' cannons and some amazingly large iron mast-top navigation lights. The Quadreria or Picture Gallery on the second floor displays works by Venetian, Greek, and Flemish painters. There’s also a room devoted entirely to antique games. The museum’s exhibition rooms give way to the Museo Archeologico and the Stanza del Sansovino, the only part of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana open to public. Address: Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, Venice Phone: 041/2405211 Location: Piazza San Marco Cost: Piazza San Marco museum card EUR 12, Musei Civici museum pass EUR 18 Open: Apr.-Oct., daily 9-7; Nov.-Mar., daily 9-5. Last tickets sold 1 hr before closing