5 Best Hotels in the Dorsoduro Venice

Venice is a picturesque destination that is as popular with newly-weds as it is with tourists in search of the must-see canals and life on the water. The Dorsoduro area is a quieter district than some other tourist zones, and has become a favourite of many visitors to the city as an introduction to the canals, museums and local restaurants. Below are five hotels that win high praise from online reviewers.

Centurion Palace

If you want to feel rich, take a private water taxi to the door of this majestic hotel on the Grand Canal. When making reservations, try to get a room with a canal view for the ultimate Venice experience. Rooms reflect a surprisingly modern and eclectic design in an Old World setting. The hotel has a private garden and gourmet restaurant specializing in Mediterranean and “creative” cuisine, according to the hotel’s website.

Hotel Palazzo Stern

Hotel Palazzo Stern is just steps from St. Mark’s Square. The hotel’s 24 rooms reflect a more traditional Venetian style, so if you want authentic, romantic Venice, ask for a room with a terraced balcony and canal views. You also might enjoy having breakfast on the hotel’s terrace.

American Dinesen

This is another hotel where you can experience terraced room balconies with spectacular views. The facility has a private loading wharf so you can arrive by gondola or water taxi in front of the hotel. Many tourists note that this place, for the quality of rooms and location, is a hidden gem of a bargain.

Charming House 

Charming House is a tiny boutique hotel offers contemporary design and is near the Peggy Guggenheim Collection gallery. The interior mixes a love of art with modern sensibilities. Tourists note that the site offers peaceful surroundings and an indulgent breakfast buffet./

Hotel Moresco

Hotel Moresco boutique-style hotel is less than a five-minute walk to Piazzale Roma. You can indulge your sweet tooth here with complementary cookies and tea served daily, according to tourists’ reviews online. You may want to ask for a room overlooking Rio Nuovo and enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s garden. Guests note that there are plenty of good restaurants nearby to enjoy, and they praise the hotel’s location for convenience.

5 Reasons to visit Venice

Venice has many charming features to delight tourists. From its unique system of canals to the impressive art that can be found within the city, Venice has much to offer to visitors. The following five reasons to visit Venice highlight the aspects of the city that make it so special.

St. Mark's Square

As the location of St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Clock Tower, St. Mark's Square is the favorite destination of many of Venice's tourists. The inside of the Basilica is so richly decorated that the effect is almost overwhelming. The adjacent Doge's Palace is also a delight for the senses, featuring architectural marvels such as the Bridge of Sighs, as well as a breathtaking array of fine art. After seeing the sights, soak up the ambiance of the square by relaxing with a Bellini cocktail at one of the outdoor tables of the famous Cafe Florian.

Religious Art

Venice's artistic heritage is strikingly clear throughout the city. Almost every church is beautifully decorated with wall paintings, intricate stonework and gold plating. You'll see more religious art on a tour of Venice's churches than you would in almost any museum, and the experience of seeing the works in their intended setting is priceless.

Shopping in Venice

Venice's aesthetic appeal isn't solely due to its old buildings or artistic masterpieces; the shop windows and market stalls are also sights that are worth seeing. Beautiful Venetian masks are on sale in almost every quarter of the city. If you're looking for souvenirs, then head to the island of Murano, where the shops are filled with Venetian glass - which is said to be the finest in the world. You can watch intricate glass pieces being made at the Murano Glass Museum.

Delicious Italian Food

It is widely acknowledged that Italian food tastes better when it is eaten in Italy. It's not certain whether this is due to the freshness of the ingredients, the laid-back atmosphere, or the unique ability of Italian chefs to combine simple ingredients such as tomatoes, basil, olive oil and mozzarella cheese in dishes that bring the taste buds to life. For fine dining in Venice, leave the main streets and explore the bacari, where every drink comes with a delicious bite-sized serving of traditional Italian food.

Romantic Moments

What could be more romantic than floating along a Venetian canal on a gondola? Venice is the perfect romantic destination for couples. Whether you're on your honeymoon or marking an anniversary, Venice is the ideal place to celebrate your love.

Venice Carnivale

Every year the city of Venice host the Carnival of Venice, or Carnevale di Venezia in Italian. The Carnival takes place annually 58 days before Easter and comes to a conclusion on Shrove Tuesday.

The origin of the festival is said to be form when the "Repubblica della Serenissima" (how Venice was previously known) defeated the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico . Since this victory 1162 the people of the city are said to have honoured the event with dancing and offerings in San Marco Square.


Photo provided by www.venicetravelitaly.com

The annual Carnival continued and was finally made official during the renaissance period, however the tradition began to wane and ceased altogether. Then in 1979 the government decided to reinstate the carnival as way to celebrate the history and culture of the city. Now approximately 3 million people visit Venice every day the carnival is taking place.

One of the central themes of the carnival is the use of masks. Traditionally these were made with leather or glass and were symbolic in their designs. Today the majority of masks are produced using gesso decorated with gold leaf, gems, paints and feathers. Perhaps the most important event of the festivities is "La Maschera piu bella", a competition where a group of renowned fashion designers and costume makers pick the best mask of the carnival during the final weekend of the festivities.

Carnivale in Venice

A Gondola ride in Venice, Italy

I am not sure if you have a Travel Bucket List but I made one recently and despite the amount of time I spend in Venice, I still have to take a gondola ride. I have to be honest in that the cost of such an experience has put me off in the past but it is something I am going to have to try once. Has to be done and ticked off of the list. Then next is the Orient Express train to London!




Make sure to ask the guy to sing as he paddles the gondola through the back canals. It must though drive the locals crazy, having a gondola guy singing as he goes past the window all the time?! Learn more about riding a gondola in Venice, Italy.