Travel Guide: Venice - Italy - Europe

Ponte dei Sospori (Bridge of Sighs), Venice

It's nearly always the festive season in Venice , although the city is particularly busy in the flourishing months of spring, especially surrounding Easter. Accommodation is one of the most difficult things to find around that time zone, as well as around Christmas, New Year and festival Carnevale (Which is in February). Like Italy 's other great tourist areas, Venice is not at its worst in summer (Months such as June-August): although it's crowded, there are many other special activities on offer. The most pleasant time of year to visit is late March into May, with clear spring days and fewer crowds. September is the next best in terms of weather, but October is quieter. Flooding occurs in November and December, and winter can be unpleasantly cold - although seeing Venice under a layer of snow can cast the aura of a fairy tale.

Vaporetto (water bus) is most amazing method of getting around Venice; you won't find too many public transport routes as unforgettable as vaporetto. No 1's trip along the Grand Canal . Get yourself a travel pass to ride the elusive vaopretto - single tickets don't come cheap, and are less economical if you plan to spend days travelling Venice and travelling every nook and cranny.

The classic gondola ride with the opera-warbling operator is pretty touristy and expensive but the traghetto is a commuter gondola that crosses the Grand Canal at strategic points. It's quite a balance test for newbies, as you have to stand. Water taxis (motorboats) are almost as expensive as gondolas, but their pilots don't wear stripy shirts and bellow out 'O Sole Mio'.

The famous water-villages of Venice post a threat to the historical buildings, which are slowly sinking into the marshy ground. It is believed that if construction work does not continue, these buildings may, in turn, pose a threat to the safety of locals and tourists. It has been said that 'When this precious place sinks, the world will be the poorer', and also stated that Venice has a bleak future. Looking on the optimistic side, the villages are beautiful today, and are still open to being admired for years to come.

Regular buses (yes, they do exist) run from one place to another, but it's probably the least exciting way to get around the city. Obviously, don't bring the rental car to Venice - you'll just be paying to leave it in a car park for the duration, and in a few car parks you'll find yourself with a large fine afterwards. Taxis - the regular four-wheeled variety - do operate from Piazzale Roma.

And nobody can forget the romantic side of Venice . Although it can be excruciatingly hot and stuffy in summer, when the tourists flock, it is nonetheless claimed to be one of the most romantic cities. With the image of an inky-blue sky laden in a full moon and dotted with stars; above a glowing city-scape, seen from a tiled square bordered by Italian words and Pizza outlets, it's no wonder.

Like every tourist location, it's not just tourists from the surrounding countries (countries, in this case, located in Europe), but all kinds of people can be found, cameras at the ready, in Venice . The attractions in Venice include many remarkable structures; such as an impressive array of bronze work, tapestries and paintings from the 5 th to 6 th century, as well as a whole handful of amazing buildings and galleries showcasing the artistic side of Venice.

If you are looking for the upbeat bars and restaurants, you cannot go wrong with the area surrounding Campo di Santa Margarita in San Polo. There you will find an Irish pub, trendy bars that do the limbo and just plain fun. The area is frequented by students from the University and is buzzing with life during the weekends as market stalls of fish and vegetables open up.  

The sea surrounds Venice , and so, too, Venetian cuisine, which can be disappointing unless cuttlefish and sardines are what you're after. You don't order pasta in Venice , you order lots of noodles with a dab of sauce.   Cichetti (chee-keht-tee) are small portions of food served in bars all over the city, usually with an ombra, which is a small glass of wine. When you go out for cichetti , you will eat standing up, hopefully in a crowded room. Mosey up to the bar, where all the cichetti will be displayed before you. A typical cichetto (this is the singular) might be a square of mortadella on a toothpick, or a rice stuffed tomato, or a ball of rice stuffed with an olive and deep fried. Summon the bar-person, order your glass of wine and point to your choice of cichetti, which will then be served to you. The bar-person will keep your tab going and present it to you when you are ready.