All year-round, tourists flock to Venice  to witness the Carnavale,  ride their famous gondolas, float down labyrinthine canals, stroll their narrow streets, watch how they make spectacular glass masterpieces, attend a mass at the famous Basilica de San Marco, play with big-fat doves at San Marco Square, and many more.  The city is a very veritable labyrinth and can confuse even the Venetians, most of whom simply set off in a general direction and patiently weave their  way. If you want a real adventure, unglue your eyes  from the map and just go withe the flow and - whalah! - you will discover some unexpected surprises.

How to get to Venice. Most European trains go to Venice. It can get confusing sometimes because some people get-off at Mestre Station. Make sure to get off at Santa Lucia station. It is located at  northwest edge of the city. If you have lots of baggages and yuo don not want to take it at your hotel there is a luggage  storage found at track #14. Buses and boats arrive at Piazzale Roma, across the Grand Canal from the train station. Make sure you orient yourself to Plaza San Marco. To get to Plaza San Marco (St. Mark Square) take the vaporetto (water taxi / bus) #1, 2, 51, 52. But if you want to walk all the way to the square just follow the signs and walk for at least 25 to 30 minutes.

Where to get accommodation in Venice. Hotels in venice can get very expensive especially during summer months and during Carnavale.  If you want discount on hotels make sure that you have to book early one or two months in advance. If you want to camp outside Venice, you have to take a 20 minute boat ride from Venice.  Suggested reasonbale hotels are:
Best B & B, Calle del Capeler, S. Polo 1575. (tel. 349 00 70 508). From Ponte Rialto walk northwest on Ruga D.Oresi, turn left on Calle D. Botteri and left again on Calle  Del Capeler. doubles 60-80 euros; triples 100-200 euros.
Pensione Seguso, Fondamente Zattere ai Saloni, Dorsoduro 779 (tel. 0415286858). doubles 65 - 190 euros; triples 150-245 euros.
Hotel Arcadia, Cannaregio 1333/D (tel. 041 717 355). From Campo Geremia, cross Ponte delle Guglie and follow the road. Look for the sign on the left. Hotel offers TV, free breakfast, free Wifi. doubles 80-120 euros; triples 80-150 euros; quads 90-160 euros.

Basilica Di San Marco is the most photographed landmark all around Venice. If you want to visit inside the basilica, you have  to be early to avoid long lines.  This Basilica was built around the 9th century and it was used to house the remains of St. Mark (one of the apostles of Christ). Once you are inside, look for the rose-adorned tomb of St. at the altar and the Pala D'Oro which frames a parade of saints  in gem-encrusted gold. If you want to gaze the piazza go all the way to the balcony. Opens Monday to Saturday 9:45am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 2-4 pm.

Around Saint Mark Square you can feed lots of big-fat pigeons but you have to watch out for the "poops" because it can get very irritating.  Pigeons will come all over you and eat everything you have to offer. Do not forget to look up the Venetian Tower and if you have time try to go up to the tower and gaze the whole square. If you want to relax a little bit go to one of the cafes and sip some fresh Venetian cappucinno while listening to  a live classical band.
The Grande Canal is dubbed as Venice's "main street". This canal is over 3 km long and 50 meters wide.  It loops through the city and passes under three bridges which are the Rialto Bridge, Accademia Bridge, and Ponte Scalzi Bridge. The candy-cane post, bricole,  used for mooring boats on the canal are painted with the colors of the family whose palazzo adjoins them. If you want to see a great facade view o the canal, take the vaporetto # 1 or 2 to Plaza San Marco. The facades  are lit at night and produce a dazzling reflections.
The Rialto Bridge (Ponte Rialto) was built as a wooden bridge around 1255 but due to the high traffic volume of people passing on this bridge it collapsed around 1444, rebuilt and collapse again around 1524. They replace the wooden bridge with stone in 1591. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.



San Polo, the second largest campo in Venice (largest is Campo Di San Marco), once hosted bloody bull-baiting matches during Canrnavele. It is one of the oldest parts in Venice having been settled before the 9th century. This is the main market district of Venice since 1097. Today San Polo is dotted with elderly women and trees, and there is no blood spilled on the ground - only gelatto.