Venice, Italy, is romance: a bridge arching over a canal, a gondola gliding by, the moon reflecting off water. Venice is history: the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal, great art and great museums. Venice is modern: the headline names and paparazzi of the Venice Film Festival, the vibrating excitement of Carnival in the 10 days before Lent begins.
Venice has a plethora of world-famous museums and artistic treasures. The Basilica of San Marco, with its spectacular Golden Altar; the Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners could enjoy one last glimpse of the beautiful city before entering the dark jail; the Gallerie dell'Accademia, with its collection of art of the 14th-18th centuries; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of 20th-century art—the list is long. Pick and choose to visit in depth, or just skim over the surface and soak up the atmosphere.
Venice is set on islands connected by bridges, with the Grand Canal as its main street, and traffic moves by boats ranging from the famous gondolas to barges. The absence of automobile noise means you can hear the laughter of children from your window, as well as footsteps seemingly just around the corner. But what makes Venice so unique also challenges its existence. The rising sea levels of global climate change threaten the city, and even now high tides from the Adriatic Sea can flood whole sections of the city.
The resident population in Venice has declined in recent years as many young people have moved to the mainland, where real-estate prices and the cost of living are lower. The city, however, continues to draw tourists; the central areas can be packed, people may be brusque and prices are high. Even so, Venice remains a treasure to be savored.
Location
Cruise lines dock at the Stazione Marittima, San Basilio or on the far end of Riva degli Schiavoni, the
fondamenta that stretches past Piazza San Marco. The Stazione Marittima has shuttle buses to Piazzale Roma, the gateway to Venice. In the other two cases, cruise passengers are conveniently located near major sites. San Basilio is just a short walk from the Gallerie dell'Accademia, and the Riva degli Schiavoni is a short stroll from the Doge's Palace. Because Stazione Marittima and San Basilio are part of the Terminal Venezia Passeggeri (Venice Cruise Terminal), they have tourist information, duty-free shops and refreshment facilities. All have water taxis. http://www.vtp.it.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the city, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line. Outings include walking or boat tours of San Marco, a few churches and museums, and gondola rides.
