Take a Ghost Tour of Venice

Venice is a city with a vast and illustrious history, and as with any area of this age, there are a number of ghost tales and legends which have been passed down over the years. For those looking to add a different twist to their Venice visit there is the opportunity to embark on one of the organised walks around the sites of the most significant stories. These extremely fun and insightful tours generally cost below twenty Euros and represent great value for money.

The ghost tours of Venice run at night time and allow you to experience some of the best areas of the city by moonlight, making this tour an ideal option for a couple who want something romantic to do, all be it with a twist. Many of the walks will take you along the rialto bridge and sweep off into many of the eery roads alongside it, with the guides doing a fantastic job of setting the scene and delivering stories in a manner which really add to the experience of the walk.

Although many of the stories told are not about specific ghosts, they let you into the secret history of the areas that you would not hear on standard tours, with tales of gruesome prisons and historic conditions getting the mind wondering about what ghosts could be in the area. These tours really are a great way to expand your knowledge of Venice beyond the conventional tourist information. Book a Venice ghost tour online.

Looking to book Venice apartments in Italy for your ghost tour?

Cafes to Visit in Venice

With so much beautiful architecture and scenery to enjoy in Venice it is criminal not to sit and enjoy it. A great way to do so is from one of the city’s many cafes, of which some of the best are described below.

Caffè Quadri

This establishment has a cafe and a restaurant, both of which are stunning. The real joy of this cafe is that it has maintained its character despite the changes to the modern world around it. The coffee is of genuinely high quality but is certainly not for those watching the purse strings.

Caffè del Doge

This cafe is definitely worth a visit when near the Rialto Bridge. If you are the sort of person who likes to try different coffees then the variety of this establishments menu will certainly appeal to you. The distinctive sign of this cafe has been attracting visitors for years.

Gelateria il Doge

Whether you are after an ice cream, a coffee or a soft drink you will find something to suit you here. This is not one of the most glamorous cafes in the city but it certainly does the job and does it well.

Florian

This is a truly grand cafe which is amongst the oldest of its kind in Venice. It will come as no surprise that this cafe has been in existence for over 300 years when you view the stunning design features and sample the magical atmosphere inside.

Sports Venues in Venice

The history, culture and beauty of Venice are undoubtedly the main attractions, but for those who would like to add a different dimension to their visit, below are the best sporting venues in the city.

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

This is a great old stadium which carries a certain character which cannot be found in more modern stadia. It has been in use since 1913 and is the long term home of the local football team which plays in the third level of the professional Italian leagues. There are other events at the almost 11,000 seater and you should check for more information whilst in the area. This may not be the most glamorous arena you will ever visit, but as your mother will tell you, looks aren’t everything.

Centro Sportivo Comunale

This truly is a mutli sport venue. You can catch (amateur) football, athletics, hockey and various other sports throughout the year. One of the more common uses these days is rugby, with the local side playing their national league games here. Rugby will hardly be a classic from the Tri Nations, but that is the joy of lower level rugby, anything can happen.

The river – regattas

With Venice having such a long standing and intimate relationship with the local rivers and canals it is no surprise that they are used as the venue for some of the most hotly anticipated sporting events in the city. The boat races which take place on these waters are highly popular with locals and tourists alike and can arguably be called the traditional sporting event of the area.

Famous People Who Were Born in Venice

Venice is famous for so many reasons, including the fact that so many famous and influential people were born there. Below is a list of some of these people who prove that there is something magical about the city

Marco Polo

Polo was one of the most famous and successful explorers and was credited with clocking up more miles than anyone before him. He was originally from Venice where he grew up as the son of a famous merchant.

Antonio Vivaldi

The piece of music Entitled the Four Seasons is one of the most played pieces of music of all times, and it was another Venice native, Antonio Vivaldi who penned it. Vivaldi created a somewhat unrivalled number of operas which he amazingly created alongside his duties as an active priest.

Giacomo Casanova

Casanova is best remembered for his ability to charm his way into women’s affections using a number of different methods before leaving them. As a matter of fact, he originally became famous for his posthumous book which was a reflection of his life after he was exiled from Venice. Richard Wagner
Wagner was truly a talented man who is largely known for his musical theories and conducting, although he was also an acclaimed essay writer. Wagner composed some of the most famous operas of all time and was famed for his seemingly effortless production skills. So the next time you take a vacation in Venice of just happen to be traveling here, remember you're in a city that has borne some of history's greatest.

Festivals in Venice You May Not Know About

One of the best ways to enjoy the real Venice is to visit the city during one of the many festivals which take place each year. Whilst there are certain festivals which are well known, there are also many which do not attract as many tourists and will enable you to experience more of the authentic feel of the city. Below are some of the festivals which fall in the summer months.

Marciliana - This is a historic festival which commemorates one of the city’s most significant events in history, the Genoan siege of Chioggia in the 14th century. There are events which would commonly be associated with that period of history including rowing and archery.

Sagra di San Pietro in Castell - his festival held in the height of summer is a celebration of the feast day of Saint Peter. It is an important day to many of the religious population of the city, with celebrations including dance, food and performances.

Festa del Redentore - This is the modern survivor of a yearly pilgrimage which is made to the Rendetore church which was constructed to celebrate the end of a great plague in the city of Prague in the 16th century. The modern festival sees the city’s residents board boats from which they eat food and enjoy a sizeable firework display.

Best Traditional Restaurants in Venice

When you visit a well know tourist destination it can be easy to get most in the manufactured tourist spots which have developed especially to cater for that crowd. For many people there is a desire to experience the true tradition of the area, and one particular area of interest in this respect is traditional local restaurants. There are plenty of traditional restaurants in the city of Venice and below are some of the best.

Bistrot de Venice - If you are looking to really splash out on your trip to Venice then it recommended that you do it here. The food here is traditional Venetian food of the very highest quality. If you can’t speak the language be sure to take your dictionary, however, as the menus tend to be in the mother tongue only.

Osteria alla Vedova - Being slightly off the main road this restaurant does not tend to attract the levels of tourist visitors of other restaurants in the area. The food is authentic and good value.

Paradiso - Fish food is high on the list of the best traditional dishes in Venice, and the menu here celebrates the very best of it. This restaurant is a favourite with locals, which is always a good sign.

Osteria de Franz - This restaurant is great not only because of the quality of food, but also because of its picturesque location on the side of the canal.

Learn more about the best restaurants in Venice.

Practice sustainable tourism in Venice

Venice is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. It is famed as a romantic destination where couples can go to wrap themselves up in the romantic scenery and culture. It is also highly historic and boasts a repertoire of glorious buildings and general architecture. If we as tourist do not do our part to conserve this environment it will not exist in years to come. Follow the below simple tips to do your part:

Respect local customs: The local customs are what give Venice its unique identity. By behaving in a way in which respect local customs we can attempt to fit in and do our part to ensure that Venice does not acquire a globalised culture. Research local manners and avoid behaviour which may be considered offensive.

Consider the environment: When disposing of litter, make sure that you do so sensibly. One of the easiest ways to disturb the charm of a place is to drown it in litter. Not only will it attract vermin it will also create a bad image.

Visit local restaurants: All tourists should make an effort to ensure that the bulk of the money they spend goes into the pockets of the locals as opposed to global organisations. You could eat in locally run, private restaurants as opposed to recognised chains and buy souvenirs from back street shops.

Walk: If you can avoid taking a taxi then you should walk to your next destination. This will reduce noise pollution and minimise the effect on the environment. Learn more about Things to do in Venice, Italy.

Rialto Market for the avid Shopper

You must visit the Rialto in Venice, Italy for two good reasons: the Rialto Bridge and the markets. It is often said that the Rialto has something for everybody, whether you are looking to admire the architectural beauty of the bridge or go grocery shopping for local produce. Gourmets, tourists, shoppers and locals frequent the Rialto area and it is a wonderful way to feel the pulse of the city.

Getting to the Rialto is easy and you can take the Vaporetto lines along the Grand Canal and then cross the Rialto Bridge to reach the markets. The Rialto markets have been the lifeline of Venice ever since 1097, with people visiting them for their daily fish, fruits, vegetables and other produce. A visit to the Rialto markets is the best way to really understand this fascinating and romantic city. You will be able to spot fresh farm products being unloaded from the barges, food shoppers examining fish for freshness and quality, handcarts packed with vegetables and fruits being pushed around and many more fascinating market sights on your trip there.

I recommend an early morning visit to the Rialto markets. I found my before-breakfast visit quite rewarding because there was hardly any crowd around which allowed me to see the market at its best. The restaurant chefs and the stall owners were the only people around and the fruits, vegetables and fish stocked there were absolutely fresh. In addition to this, some of the stall owners had their music on and were singing along to Opera and Italian songs.

The Rialto market is the very heart of Venice and a walk along the Rialto Bridge in the early morning will grant you some fantastic views of the area. The crowds start pouring in after breakfast and then you can really view Venice at its busiest. The area is also home to San Giacomo, one of the most ancient of Venetian churches dating back to the eleventh century. I purchased some great fruit for a picnic I was planning and enjoyed an espresso in a coffee shop before leaving the market.

Budget guide to Venice

Being located on a number of islands, Venice isn't cheap. Food and supplies generally needs to come in via boat which puts an added expense on things. That added with a huge number of affluent tourits, Venice has become one of the most espensive cities to visit in Europe. Below we've complied a short guide to travel to Venice, have fun and not spend a king's ransom to achieve it.

1. Venice is a walking city which is free for anyone but if you need to get the boat, purchase a Venice Connected card online and in advance. It'll save you at least 15 percent from the original price of the public service fees.

2. Not every site in Venice costs. Churches such as Basilica San Marco and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute are free.

3. Don't stay arond San Marco Venice. Most of the shops charge extra because they're in close proximity to Piazza San Marco. Venture further afield and try out some less touristic area such as San Polo and Santa Croce.

4. When eating, stay away from the touristy areas and eat where the locals do. Try the Strada Nuova in Cannaregio. There are numerous pizzerias and trattorias where you can get a plate of pasta for around 5 euros.

5. If you have to take the gondola and can't afford it, try a traghetto, it's the next best thing. Traghetti are oared passenger boats that cross the Grand canal at seven points between the railroad station and St. Mark's Basin.

Rowed by two oarsmen: one at the back and one at the front and are generally operated by the same family for generations.

The seven crossings are below and the cost is around 50 cents one way.

• Fondamente S. Lucia (in front of the railroad station) - Fondamenta San Simeón Piccolo.
• San Marcuola - Fóndaco dei Turchi (by the Natural History Museum)
• Santa Sofia (near Ca' D'Oro) - Pescaria (fish market).
• Riva del Carbòn - Fondamente del Vin.
• Sant' Angelo - San Tomà.
• San Samuele - Ca' Rezzónico.
• Campo del Traghetto - Calle Lanza (near the Salute Church)

Travelling around Europe and seeing more than just Venice? You might also want to read about  working holidays in Ibiza and holidays in Agde, France. Heading further afield and love to travel? For Asia: Seoul travel are also great travel options also.

A Short Biography of Casanova

On my recent trip to Venice I was able to read Giacomo Casanova’s memoirs and liked them so much that I recommend them to all avid readers. Although Casanova is remembered today for being a master seducer; he was also a spy, diplomat, soldier, prisoner, adventurer and businessman. He lived a rich and highly interesting life, although some of his activities are nothing short of unscrupulous.

Born on April 2nd, 1725 in Venice as the eldest son of Gaetan Joseph Jacques Casanova and Zanetti Farusi, Casanova was raised by his maternal grandmother. After his basic education, he tried to become a priest, but was found to have too roving an eye.

Casanova’s life was full of illicit affairs and illegitimate children. At one point in his life, he almost married his own illegitimate daughter. He spent a lot of time travelling all over Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia, England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Turkey and Austria. Owing to his travels, Casanova came across people from different sections of society, from peasants to aristocrats and got to know kings, popes and other eminent personalities.

During the Inquisition, Casanova found himself imprisoned for 15 months for airing his views about morality and religion; however, he escaped and was able to continue his life. Although he never seemed to really care about money, he lived well and ensured that he always had the best food, houses and clothes. He was good at making money, but poor at saving it; and this ultimately forced him to seek employment with the same people who imprisoned him. Fortunately for him, they decided to employ him as a spy for a few years.

He spent the last 14 years of his life working as a librarian for Count Waldstein in the Chateau Dux, Bohemia where he wrote on a series of topics and compiled his memoirs.