Find out how to avoid tourist traps and discover:
Places with FREE Glass Blowing & Mask-making demos
The CHEAPEST way to visit the surrounding islands
(Murano, Burano, & Lido)
Where the LOCALS truly eat and savor their specialties
How to get a Private Room for Two for 20€ for Two Nights
Four FREE self-guided tours included!
Do as the Locals Do at Local Prices!
Useful info:
Useful phrases:
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220V
Cell: GSM & tri-band mobile
phones can be used in Italy.
Italy Country Code: +39
Venice City code: 041
Police: 113
Ambulance: 118
Directory Assistance: 1288
US Embassy:
+39 06 46 741 (in Rome)
Canadian Embassy:
+39 06 84 44 41 (in Rome)
Australian Embassy:
+39 06 85 27 21 (in Rome)
UK Embassy: +39 041 505 5990
Hello: Ciao / Buongiorno
Goodbye: Ciao / Arrivederci
Please: Per Favore
Thank you: Grazie
You're welcome: Prego
Yes/No: Si/No
Excuse me: Scusi
How are you?: Come stai?
Open/Closed: Aperto/Chiuso
What is your name?:
Come ti chiami?
My name is...: Mi chiamo...
How much?: Quanto costa?
Free: Gratis/Libero
by Bianca
Reyes
www.TravelforRookies.com
Purchase the complete Venice
city guide with over 200€
in savings tips, tricks and
insider secrets for an
authentic stay in Venice!
Getting there:
When to go:
By Plane:
January 6th - Regata della Befana
By Train:
By Car/Bus:
By Taxi:
From Marco Polo, take Bus #5
(3€ one-way).
From Treviso airport, take ATVO bus
(5€ one-way).
Take the train that stops in Venezia Santa
Lucia which is the historic city center.
The Venezia-Mestre stop is in the mainland.
Expensive parking lots and the bus depot
are located at Piazzale Roma.
A taxi ride to/from Marco Polo airport costs
about 40€ one-way and takes about thirty
minutes.
Getting around:
By Foot:
Walk, walk, walk. It’s the best and cheapest
way to discover Venice.
It’s safe to walk at all hours.
By Vaporetto: Costs 6.50€ per ride, so consult the Venice
(water bus)
for Rookies guide to see which
transportation pass is best suited for you.
By Traghetto: There are a few fixed locations where a
cheaper version of a gondola shoots
you across the Grand Canal for 50 cents.
The ride lasts less than a minute but
beats the expensive gondola rides.
Taxi and Gondolas: This is the most expensive form of
transportation used primarily by tourists.
Taxi rides start at 40€ for a 5 minute ride,
while gondolas range from 80€-120€
for a scenic thirty minute ride.
pocket
guide
Dressed up witches racing down the Grand Canal.
February/March – Carnevale
Masquerades, processions, concerts in St.Mark’s square and palace parties!
April – Italian Heritage Week
One week in which the country makes all state-funded museums
open to the public for free!
May – Vogalonga
18km boat race with over 3,000 participants. Watch from the Grand Canal.
June – Biennale
The world’s largest contemporary art show with exhibits all over the city.
The permanent pavilions are at the Giardini stop.
The best parties are the week before the Biennale begins.
July – Redentore
A boat festival in honor of the end of the plague where hundreds of boats
mimic floating pubs with music, food and drinks.
At midnight there is a spectacular fireworks show.
August – International Film Festival
The island of Lido, just fifteen minutes from Venice, hosts red carpet events
for two weeks with Hollywood actors, movie premiers, and lavish VIP parties.
September – Regata
Held on the first Sunday of September, this re-enactment of the arrival of the
Queen of Cyprus from the 16th century is a colorful demonstration along the
Grand Canal ending with a lively competition and crowds cheering for their
favorite team of synchronized rowers.
October – Venice Marathon
This 42km marathon beginning just outside Venice and finishing in St. Mark’s
square is a great and healthy way to get to know the Veneto region.
November – Festival of Madonna della Salute
Also celebrating the end of the plague, enjoy following the procession over a
temporary floating bridge to the gigantic white-pillared church of
Santa Maria della Salute.
December – Christmas Markets
Get into the Christmas spirit as various squares are lined with miniature wooden
houses selling seasonal goods, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
1 - Rialto Bridge
2 - Train Station
3 - Jewish Ghetto
4 - Frari Church
5 - Doge's Palace
6 - Piazza San Marco
7 - Accademia Museum
8 - Giudecca Island
9 - Biennale/Giardini
10
9 - Burano & Murano
3
10
Cannaregio
2
Santa Croce
4
1
San Polo
Castello
San Marco
Waterbus stops:
Dorsoduro
Lido
Giardin
i
S.Zacca
ri
S. Marc a
o
Accade
m
S. Samu ia
ele
S.Tomà
Rialto
San Ma
rc
Ferrov uola
ia
Piazzale
R
Troche oma
tto
Sacca F
iso
S. Basil la
io
Zattare
Palanc
a
Redento
re
Zitelle
S.Giorg
io
S.Zacca
ria
1
2
Lido
S.Elena
Giardin
i
Arsena
le
S.Zacca
ri
Vallare a
sso-S.M
arco
Salute
Giglio
Accade
m
Ca’ Rez ia
zo
S.Tomà nico
S.Ange
lo
S.Silves
tr
Rialto o
Rialto m
e
Ca’ D’o rcato
ro
San Sta
e
San Ma
rc
Riva de uola
B
Ferrov iasio
ia
Piazzale
Roma
Line 1:
Makes all the stops along
the Grand Canal.
Line 2:
Skips some stops along
the Grand Canal.
6 5
7
9
8
Retail Therapy:
Store Opening Hours: 10am-1pm and 3:30pm-7pm
San Marco: Tourist sites, high end fashion & jewelry designer stores, expensive
homeware
Dorsoduro : Young designer accessories, directional boutiques, and vintage shops
San Polo: Homeware, eye glass shops, food markets and artisan workshops
Castello: Traditional accessories and antiques
Average Costs:
Don’t Miss:
Price per ombra (glass of wine): 2€-3.50€
Cicchetti (Venetian finger foods): 1€-3€
Mask: 10€-20€ (ceramic mass-produced), 40€-120€ (hand-crafted)
Glass Jewelery: 20€-80€ for authentic Murano glass pieces.
1) Basilica & Piazza San Marco
The official entrance of Venice housing the extravagant mosaic-filled Basilica. (Free)
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dorsoduro: Già Schiavi (Fondamenta Maraveglie #992,
Tel: 041-5230034, closed Sun.)
Aug
Cannaregio: Al Timon (Fondamenta degli Ormesini #2754,
Tel: 041 524 6066, closed Wed.)
Jul
San Marco: Osteria Ai Specchieri (Calle Larga San Marco #654,
Tel: 041 523 7918)
Climate
Jun
Castello: Al Portego (Calle della Malvasia #6015,
Tel: 041 522 9038, closed Sun.)
May
Rialto: Cantino Do Mori
(Sotoportego Do Mori #429, Tel: 041 522 5401,
closed Sun. & Wed. afternoon)
5) Surrounding Islands
Murano (home to historic glass factories),
Burano (a colorful fishing town known for their lace-making),
and Lido (with a 12km stretch of beach).
All three can be explored via waterbus in one full day.
Apr
Enjoy 1€-2€ cicchetti and 2€ wine.
4) Cannaregio District
Home to markets, local bars, cozy restaurants and the oldest Jewish Ghetto
in the world. (Free)
Mar
Cheap Drinks & Eats
3) Doge’s Palace
A Gothic 9th century palace serving as the home to the highest political figure
of Venice, the Doge (Duke), with secret meeting rooms, torture chambers and old
prison cells. Best discovered with the Secret Passageways guided tour.
(18.50€ adult/12.50€ students under 25).
Feb
Dining Costs*:
$ - US$2 to $22 (up to 15€)
$$ - US$23 to $44 (16€-30€)
$$$ - US$45 to $72 (31€-50€)
$$$$ - US$73 and up (over 50€)
*See the Venice for Rookies guide for the best options.
2) Rialto Bridge
The first stone bridge built over the Grand Canal with breathtaking views and
embedded with traditional shops. (Free)
Jan
Hotel Costs*:
$ : $25-$130 (17€-88€)
$$: $130-$200 (88€-135€)
$$$: $200+ (135€ and up)
F
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71
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46
37
C
3
4
8
12
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24
26
27
22
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8
3
Hrs
of Sun
3/
3/
5/
7/
8/
7/
5/
3/
3/
cold
rainy
rainy
cool
warm warm- hot
er
9/
10/ 9/
hot
warm- windy cold
er
cold