MiniGuide to Venice

We were fortunate enough for my grandparents (Grandma and Grandpa Bower) to take me, and all my immediate family to Venice over Easter 2012. As it was Passover there was no pizza or pasta, and I won't be able to list any restaurants!

We arrived at Marco Polo airport from Manchester via Jet 2. We got a water taxi over to the Lido at a cost of 150 euros- it took 45min. We stayed at the Hotel Excelsior, Venezia, Lido, who operated a free regular launch to Venice. We got this most days we could.

Here's my list of must sees:  

1. Gondola ride, 80 euros for half an hour, 100 euros for an hour. As we had the kids with us, we did the half hour tour.

2. The Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Perfect for a rainy day as the queues are under the colonnade, but take the tour and you can jump the queue

3. St Mark's Basilica. Free to enter, but go see the 'treasure' for 3 euros a head. It's a collection of Ottoman loot from the 10-11th century, together with relics, ie bits of saint. 

4. Isola di S. Giorgio Maggiore. Get the no 2 vaporeta- it cost us 24 euros return. It the island on the left as you enter Venice from the Lido. The church was designed by Palladio in 1610. A stark contrast to the gold encrusted, multi marbled st. Mark's. Palladio believed that White was the colour of holiness, the square proportions are solid and comforting. And from the bell tower - 5 euros a head, it the most spectacular view, with no crowds.    

5. The Venice Biennale, this was my first visit to Venice out of Biennale season, and great not to have my focused shifted.

6. Buy Block printed paper, simple and beautiful