Insight Pocket Guides Venice

by Boulton, Susie

• ISBN13: 9781585730896
• ISBN10: 1585730890
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Insight Guides

Summary

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the sights with your own local host to give you a native's point of view? Insight's Pocket Guides deliver this personal service with a sleek, portable guide that gives you the inside scoop. It's not just what you see, it's the sense of what you're seeing.

Filled with practical tips, full and half-day itineraries, and loads of personal recommendations, these indispensable guides are ideal for travelers with limited time to spare. Pocket Guides come complete with a pull-out map, making your travel so much simpler.

Table of Contents

History and Culture
From the city's heyday as the hub of the silk and spice trades to the current fight to save it from sinking into the sea - an introduction to Venice's rich and fascinating history and culture	11	(12)
City Itineraries
The first three full-day itineraries link the must-see sights, such as the Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, the Accademia and some of the loveliest churches in the city. A selection of shorter intineraries are intended for visitors with more time to spend in Venice, with tours 4-7 designed as morning options, and 8-11 as after-noon suggestions
Oriental Extravaganza is a circular tour beginning and ending in Piazza San Marco. After visiting the Basilica di San Marco, it takes a vaporetto to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. On return it heads for the Palazzo Ducale (the Doge's palace), the seat of the Venetian government until the fall of the Republic, and then, after lunch, it takes a leisurely boat ride up the Grand Canal, covering the sights along the way	23	(7)
Piazza, Paintings and Palaces is a triangular walking tour, again beginning at Piazza San Marco. Heading west from here, it takes in the Accademia Gallery, housing the world's finest collection of Venetian art. After lunch, it explores the characteristic neighbourhood of Dorsoduro in which Palazzo Venier dei Leoni houses the Guggenheim Collection of Modern Art	30	(5)
Quiet Corners of Castello focuses on the eastern end of Venice, taking in some of the city's loveliest churches, including Santi Giovannie e Paolo (Zanipolo), one of the greatest Gothic churches in Venice. It begins at the Molo, the busy waterfront south of Palazzo Ducale (the Doge's Palace)	35	(4)
Markets, Masks and Art begins by dipping into the markets around the Rialto. From there, it takes in the church of San Polo and the Frari church, another Gothic masterpiece, and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, containing a superb collection of paintings by Tintoretto	39	(4)
Circling the Serenissima takes the ferry-steamer around Venice, enjoying stunning scenery on the way. It disembarks at Guglie to explore the lively area of Cannareggio, which contains Europe's oldest Jewish ghetto	43	(3)
The Accademia Gallery - a Feast of Venetian Art is a detailed tour of the Accademia, the world's richest repository of Venetian art. Its works include masterpieces by Bellini, Titian and Tintoretto	46	(3)
Palaces on the Grand Canal takes a closer look at three splendid palaces overlooking the Grand Canal: the Gothic Ca' d'Oro, the 18th-century Ca' Rezzonico and the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (containing the Guggenheim art collection)	49	(2)
Torcello - Relic of Former Glory takes the ferry to the island of Torcello, once a thriving centre and now a virtually deserted island, whose former grandeur is recorded by a cathedral, the church of Santa Fosca and two palazzi	51	(3)
A Boat to Burano spends an afternoon on the island of Burano, a laid-back island with colourfully painted houses. It is noted for its boat-building and lace-making. This itinerary can be combined with a trip to Torcello (itinerary 8) and/or Murano (itinerary 10)	54	(2)
Murano - A Galaxy of Glass visits an island that is sometimes described as a mini Venice. It is the centre for Venetian glass. It takes in glass-blowing workshops and the Museum of 20th-century Murano Glass	56	(2)
Beach Break at the Lido cuts loose to Venice's main bathing resort on the 11-km (7-mile) strip of land protecting Venice from the Adriatic. The Lido is Venice's main centre for sports	58	(33)
Leisure Activities
This sections tells you what to buy, where to eat, and where to stay out late	61	(13)
Calendar of Events
A guide to the main festivals in Venice	74	(3)
Practical Information
All the background information you are likely to need for your stay in Venice, from getting around on the transport system to money matters. The section includes a list of hand-picked hotels	77	(14)
Index and Credits	91