Venice Essentials

Venice Essentials

Currency Euro Flight Time UK 2 Hour 30 mins Time Zone GMT = +1 hour Language Italian Voltage 220 V (European two-pin plugs) 


Venice Tourist Attractions

A cruise down the Grand Canal by gondolier is a one of a kind experience, with rides generally lasting 50 minutes. 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 seen.

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.

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, featuring 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

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

There are many wheelchair-accessible attractions in Venice, despite the abundance of waterways, bridges and narrow cobbled streets and piazzas. There are numerous specialised tours and itineraries designed especially for wheelchair-users, 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 wheelchairs 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.


Weather

Venice experiences hot humid summers and mild winters, and generally has an unpredictable climate. March to October is the best time to visit, with spring highs hovering around 15C - 20C, and sunny clear days meaning ideal conditions for sightseeing. Summer can see average daytime temperatures of 27C, with high humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Winter weather is cold with average lows of around 5C, although icy winds can make the temperature seem a lot lower, and the city can also experience plenty of mist and rain.