DK Travel - Top 10 Venice.

Clockwise from top: Giudecca; lion statue in Piazza San Marco; Basilica San Marco mosaic; Grand Canal; Carnival mask; gondolas with San Giorgio Maggiore in the background; Burano

Gliding gondolas. Glorious sunsets over the lagoon. Spritz aperitivos. Black cuttlefish-ink pasta. Renaissance palazzi. Gorgeous Carnival masks. A time warp. And no cars; not one. It doesnt matter how many times youve been, a visit to Venice is always as memorable as it is romantic. Navigating the canal-filled city is easy with this Eyewitness Top 10 Venice guide.

Theres nothing like Venice anywhere else in the world. Join the crowds thronging Piazza San Marco and wonder at the glittering Basilica. Relax at the outdoor cafs, drinking in the atmosphere while sipping a cappuccino, or ride a water-bus plying the canals.

Whether you come for a couple of days or a whole week, our Top 10 Venice guide is invaluable, with its carefully selected listings that bring together the best the city has to offer. Explore the labyrinthine Doges Palace, have a drink in buzzing Campo Santa Margherita, hunt for a costume for the annual Carnival, shop at top craft stores and fashion boutiques, or travel to the atmospheric islands of Murano and Torcello.

Succinct descriptions explain how Venice developed as and where it did, with the help of notable figures such as Marco Polo and Vivaldi. Insider tips abound, along with curious facts that you wont find in any other guide. Your questions will be answered: Is Venice still sinking? Do people often fall in the water?

Whether youre coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the city can offer. There are tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus ten easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to help you visit a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Venice.

EXPLORING VENICE

Venice is a sightseeing paradise for people of all ages. To make the most of a holiday and see the best the city has to offer, here are some time-efficient ideas for both two- and four-day stays.

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Two Days in Venice

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Day 1

Morning

Start off at the marvellous . The Campanile tower gives a superb view over the city.

Afternoon

A visit to the past many elegant palazzi and under the Accademia and Rialto bridges.

The Grand Canal cuts a meandering path through Venice and offers a delightful perspective from the water.

Day 2

Morning

Begin with Venetian art at the for a bite to eat.

Afternoon

Its a short walk to the Venetian Gothic masterpiece with its great neighbourhood feel.

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Four Days in Venice

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Day 1

Morning

The natural place to start any visit is the magnificent main square, to wonder at the ancient mosaics.

Afternoon

After lunch, take time to explore the , once the powerhouse of the Maritime Republic. Dont miss the Bridge of Sighs and the dank prisons.

The impressive Doges Palace dominates the waterfront leading to Piazza San Marco

Day 2

Morning

Catch a vaporetto at Piazzale Roma or the railway station for the spectacular trip along the .

Afternoon

After lunch on the sun-blessed .

Day 3

Morning

Make an early start to enjoy the best of the Rialto fish and produce market, which is open mostly in the morning (see , a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture.

Afternoon

for an overview of Venetian painting through the centuries.

Day 4

Morning

Take a leisurely ferry trip over the Northern Lagoon to the island of for lunch.

The island of Burano is well worth a visit for its splendid array of colourful houses.

Afternoon

Pick up a ferry to take you cruising via Treporti and Punta Sabbioni to the for a trip to the beach. Afterwards, head back to Venice proper.

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Top 10 Venice Highlights

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute viewed from Ponte dellAccademia

Top 10 Venice Highlights

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BASILICA SAN MARCO

The breathtaking Byzantine basilica dominating was constructed in such ornate fashion for two reasons: as an embodiment of the Venetian Republics power and as a fitting resting place for St Mark. Serving as the doges chapel, it was the site of coronations, funerals and processions, all gloriously framed by more than 4,000 sq m (43,000 sq ft) of mosaics, eastern treasures and 500 columns, some dating back to the 3rd century.

NEED TO KNOW

Piazza San Marco 041 270 83 11 www.basilicasanmarco.it Guided visits: book on www.alata.it Bookshop

Basilica: Open JunOct: 9:45am5pm MonSat, 25pm Sun & pub hols; NovMay: 9:30am5pm MonSat, 24:30pm Sun & pub hols

Pala dOro, treasury and Loggia dei Cavalli: Open JunOct: same as basilica; NovMay: 9:45am4:45pm MonSat, 24:30pm Sun & pub hols. Adm Pala dOro 2; treasury 3