Of all the cities we are visiting, Venice is the most beautiful and the most unchanged. From about 1100 to 1550, Venice was one of the most powerful and wealthy cities in the world. From their island home in the Adriatic the Venetians ruled a vast trading empire that spaned the Adriatic, Mediterranean, and Black Seas. In fact, Venice had a virtual monopoly on trade with the East. All of that changed after 1500. New trade routes opened up by Portuguese and Spanish explorers enabled the nation states of Europe to cut out the middle man, and shifted the axis of European trade from the Mediterranean to Atlantic states like Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands. Venice, no longer the center of world trade, entered into a period of very gradual decline that continues today.
Tourism, while it keeps the city alive, has also accelerated Venice's demise. The crush of millions of tourists every year has taken a toll on the slowly sinking Venice, and can detract significantly from its charm. The flocks of cruise-ship bound tourists that flood Venice every day are best avoided by hanging around until the evening. Venice is much quieter, and much more charming during the evening hours. That is one of the reasons our tour company, ACIS, books us in hotels close to the city center. Here are a few suggestions for your free time in Venice:
-Wander the back streets: During the day, the main tourist areas of Venice can be overwhelmingly crowded. During my last visit to Venice I discovered that wandering the streets away from the major tourist attractions can be incredibly rewarding, and a lot less crammed full of tourists. There isn't a single area of Venice that is not picturesque. The back streets are filled with small piazzas, beautiful villas, and gently leaning church towers (Did I mention that the city is sinking?) The good thing about wandering around an island is that you really can't get lost. Eventually, you will run into the lagoon.
-Take a ride on a gondola: Most visitors to Venice place a gondola ride at the top of thier "to do" list. Unfortunately, many of them experience a bit of sticker shock once they get there. Gondola rides can be expensive. The prices are regulated. A 40 minute ride during the evening will run you 100€ (about $130). The price, however, can be divided by up to six people.
-Experience a Vivaldi concert: Venice loves its native son, the violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. As a priest, Vivaldi worked as a violinist and music teacher at a Venitian orphanage. It was during the thirty years he spent in this position that Vivaldi composed most of his beautiful baroque choral pieces, operas, and concertos. The most famous of these works is "The Four Seasons." It is always possible to find a performance of Vivaldi's works somewhere in Venice. If you are interested, our tour manager can help you book tickets.
-Visit the Accademia Gallery: This large museum houses a grand collection of paintings dating from the fourteenth century to the late Renaissance and Venice's days as a major stop on the 18th-century Grand Tour. Here you will find works by Veronese, Tintoretto, Titian, and Canaletto. ( http://www.gallerieaccademia.org/the-museum/?lang=en )
-Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection: If modern art is your deal then the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is your museum. This museum, opened in 1980, houses Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of American and European art from the first half of the 20th century. ( http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/default.html )
-See the works of three Renaissance masters in the Chiesa dei Friari: This is a recommendation for all of the AP Art History geeks on the trip. In this one church you can cast your eyes upon the works of three Renaissance masters: Bellini, Donatello, and Titian. This final master of the Venitian Renaissance, Titian, is interred in the church. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frari )
-Visit the Doge's Palace: This was the most powerful piece of real estate in Venice during its days as an independent republic. The price of admission is well worth a visit to the seat of Venitian power. Don't forget to take a quick trip over the Bridge of Sighs to the prison that actually held the famous Cassanova during your visit. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge%27s_Palace,_Venice)
-Cruise the lagoon to Burano: This small island fishing village is about a half hour by vaporetto (water bus) from Venice. A much smaller version of Venice, complete with its own canals, Burano has managed to keep most of its charm over the centuries. The wives of Burano made sure to paint their homes in bright, floral colors so that their husbands could always see their homes when they were out fishing in the lagoon. The women of Burano also adapted their skills for repairing fishing nets to the art of creating fine, hand-made lace.
For more information about visiting Venice you can check out Rick Steves' website: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/italy_menu.htm
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