Area: Venice Show Map
Located in Venice's designer-shopping district, this hotel is 500 meters from Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace … More
Pricing for stays between 21 Feb - 24 Feb, 2012
A traveller from West Sussex said:
"Location of hotel great."
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Area: Venice Show Map
Adjacent to Venice's largest gondola station in a basin constructed for the noble Orseolo family's palace, this … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
A traveller from Philadelphia said:
"Hotel is nice and in good location. Needs some work. Toilet seat didn't fit so was a... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Housed in an 18th-century building, this hotel is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and shops, and lies 50 metres … More
Pricing for stays between 27 Feb - 01 Mar, 2012
A traveller from Isle of Man said:
"This is the third time we have stayed at the Panada. Friendly staff, excellent posit... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Situated in Venice's San Marco neighborhood, this hotel is close to Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Basilica, and … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
Neve W from Australia said:
"The room was very expensive and definately not worth its star rating. Breakfast was... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Situated in Venice's Lido di Venice neighborhood, this hotel is close to Lido Beach, Santa Maria Elisabetta … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
A traveller from Seattle, WA USA said:
"This hotel was clean, well-appointed (older but nice furniture in good condition), a... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Tucked away on a little square behind La Fenice opera house and 300 metres from St Mark's Square, this 68-room … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
A traveller from Cal said:
"It is a two stars hotel. Not sure how it gets 4 stars."
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Area: Venice Show Map
This six-storey hotel is set in an 18th-century palazzo with a private canal mooring in the centre of Venice, 200 … More
Pricing for stays between 28 Feb - 02 Mar, 2012
Karen from New jersey said:
"I booked the hotel thinking I would be in the hotel, not across the way in a residen... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Built in the 15th century by a Venetian noble family, this converted palace overlooks a side canal off Venice's … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
A traveller from Perth Australia said:
"On the canal, close to St Mark's Square, helpful staff what more could you want."
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Area: Venice Show Map
Restored 17th palace Venice hotel set on the Rio di Palazzo canal, overlooking the Bridge of Sighs and 100 metres … More
Pricing for stays between 22 Feb - 25 Feb, 2012
Eric N from New York, NY said:
"The hotel is only 2 blocks from Piazza San Marco and close to everything. The lobby... "
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Area: Venice Show Map
Situated in Venice's Dorsoduro neighborhood, this boutique hotel is close to Ca'Rezzonico, Squero di San Trovaso … More
Pricing for stays between 26 Feb - 29 Feb, 2012
A traveller from Irvine, CA said:
"This hotel was a wonderful surprise. It is removed from the hubbub of the San Marco... "
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Venice is known by a number of nicknames: the city of water, the city of bridges, queen of the Adriatic, and the city of light. This range of names points to the difficulty of trying to capture the intangible quality of this most unique of cities. Indeed, Venice has been performing something of a magic trick for well over a millennia: built on 118 tiny islands, with a marshy lagoon as its base, the city has managed to defy gravity for more than a thousand years.
Classic highlights
Even if you haven't visited Venice, you've probably already seen images of its classic highlights: gondolas on the Grand Canal, the gothic Doge's Palace, and the pigeons on St Marks Square. You can rest assured that the reality of these places is every bit as majestic as the postcard pictures make them out to be.
More than just a series of famous snapshots, however, Venice is a mesmerizing, mysterious city laced with hints of melancholy. Once a major maritime power, Venice continues to survive largely because of the tourist trade, with the number of actual residents dwindling year after year. Ever-increasing flooding wreaks havoc on architecture, while the summer's heat can make the city feel almost swamp-like. Decadent palaces stand next to decaying houses, glorious restoration next to gloomy ruin, making the city nothing short of a floating museum - but in many ways this is also its barrier to modernization.
Mix of contrasts
This profound mix of contrasts makes Venice a fascinating destination. As it struggles to find a balance between preserving the rich cultural heritage on which it depends and carving out an identity as a still-living city in the 21st century, Venice remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The reputations of the signature tourist 'musts' are well-deserved, but the discoveries you make by getting lost in Venice's winding streets and canals are equally rewarding. Exploring your extraordinary surroundings is sure to make you sigh in disbelief. One of Venice's most famous bridges, in fact - just one of over 400 bridges connecting Venice's islands - is called the Bridge of Sighs.
Artists' inspiration
Even the light in Venice is different; the reflection off the water has provided inspiration for many artists. The Accademia Gallery holds several Venetian masterpieces, and you'll notice the play of light in many of its painting. The unusual light is far from being the city's only special quality. Visit during Carnevale and you'll see a glamour you thought no longer existed. Also well worth a visit is Venice Biennale, Europe's classiest international forum for contemporary art.
Cars aren't allowed in Venice, so you'll get to know the city by walking or riding vaporetti (public water buses - an alternative to the more expensive water taxis or gondolas, although it's worth splashing for a romantic evening out). Venice is notoriously crowded (and expensive), but people come for good reason. There is no other city like it in the world - its culture and canals, basilicas and bridges continue to leave visitors marveling. Despite its uncertain future, Venice hasn't lost its magic.