Venice Essentials

Venice Tourist Attractions
No city break in Venice would be complete without a cruise down the Grand Canal by gondolier. This one of a kind experience should not be missed and costs from €62 per 6 seater boat for a 50 minute cruise. Gondoliers start from mid morning until 11pm every day. The two most iconic attractions of Venice are in fact free to visit - the glorious St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge - a timeless symbol of Venice that simply must be visited.

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Venice Opening Hours
Shops are usually open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 1pm and reopen after lunch at 4pm until 7 or 8pm. A large proportion will be closed each Monday morning and virtually all shops are closed all day Sunday. Cash can be exchanged at banks which open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm and you will find a wide range of licensed money changers open late in the evening in the main tourist areas.

Venice Food & Drink
Surprisingly, rice and not pasta is the mainstay of Venetian cuisine and forms the base of countless delicious meals. Fegato alla Veneziana - calves' liver slices sautéed with onions is the most celebrated meat dish and local seafood is extremely popular with crayfish, cuttlefish, mussels, eel and mullet. Venetian wines are celebrated the world over with dry white Soave and the full bodied Valpolicella the perfect accompaniment to a fine meal.

Tipping & Etiquette In Venice
Apart from the standard service charge added to bills, it is customary - although not obligatory - to add around 10% for good service. Taxi drivers may also expect a small tip of around 5% of the fare and likewise hotel bellboys and housekeeping will appreciate any gratuities, however small. 

Italian Phrases For Tourists  

Good morning	Buon giorno		I'm sorry	Scusi
Good evening	Buona sera		Does anyone here speak English?	C'è qualcuno che parla inglese?
Good-bye	Arrivederci		Where is...?	Dov'è ...?
Yes	Sì		Train Station	la stazione
No	No		Airport	l'aeroporto
Please	Per favore		Currency exchange	l'ufficio del cambio
Thank you very much	Molte grazie		The bill, please	Il conto per favore

Venice Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Venice – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire - 112

Disabled Access In Venice
There are many accessible attractions in Venice for wheelchair users and the infirm despite the abundance of waterways, bridges and narrow cobbled streets and piazzas. There are numerous specialised tours and itineraries for wheelchair users to see the sights which centre on San Marco square, the Rialto and the market area. The city publishes free maps of wheelchair-friendly routes in the city centre and islands for those that wish to go it alone. Virtually all public canal boats are accessible for wheelchair users and there are many adapted public conveniences throughout the main tourist areas.

Italian Embassies
• Via XX Settembre 80 I-00187 Roma RM, Italy Telephone (+39) 06 4220 0001

• British Consulate Piazzale Donatori di Sangue, 2/5 30171 VENEZIA-MESTRE VE 
  Tel: (0039) 041 5055990

• Italian Embassy - 14 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4EH, Telephone: 020 7312 2200.

Venice City Breaks  Getting Around Venice

Things To Do In Venice  Venice Weather