Ultimate Guide for Your Trip to Venice, Venice, Italy

There are so many questions when planning a trip to Venice. Will it be crowded? When should I go? What should I see, and how can I get off the beaten path? Whether you are a first-timer or a return visitor, here is my ultimate Venice travel guide.

There is a reason why Venice is so popular with tourists. Or rather, several reasons. Firstly, it is unique, its identity inextricably bound up with the water that surrounds it. That water has been at the heart of Venice’s history and its long maritime heritage. It is also the lifeblood of the city, with canals in place of streets and highways.

Then there is the city itself. The whole of Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of staggering beauty and cultural importance. The architecture is remarkably homogenous, the Venetian Gothic style dominating the palazzi, churches and public buildings.

The combined effect is to make Venice a sort of outdoor museum, a place with something to see around every corner. And, if that isn’t enough, there are several important art galleries and museums, and the churches are full of artworks by major Renaissance painters.

For many visitors the must-see areas are clustered around the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. The standard tourist itinerary would add in a few museums and churches and possibly a boat trip or two. But what if you want to escape the crowds and to find some less obvious sights? ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).