Introduction to Venice Travel Tips

J: So just like the last episode we did, this time we’re doing Venice instead of Munich. This was our second major spot that we visited, and I think we have a lot of good tips and advice that we could provide so you either get the same experience as us or prevent some of the mistakes that we made as well.

J: So without further ado, let’s get into it.

J: I went first last time, so I’m going to let you go first this time for your top 10.

#10: Make an Authentic Venetian Mask

D: My number 10 is to schedule an appointment to make an authentic mask. This is something that I wasn’t really aware of. Our nephew made us aware of it when we were actually there, but by the time we were there, it was too late to actually make an appointment.

D: If you schedule an appointment to make an authentic mask, it’s just something fun to do. They give you detailed instruction on traditional papier-mâché techniques, and it lasts a few hours. The workshop looked really fun, and you can get very creative painting and decorating your own authentic mask.

J: Yeah, they have the different molds and everything as well.

J: You’re going to find all kinds of Venetian mask shops all around where you can buy them if you just want one, but this gives you a different perspective. You actually get to make your own.

#10: Be Prepared for Luggage Challenges

J: My number 10 is if you bring luggage, especially big suitcases, know exactly what to expect.

J: The streets of Venice are not made for roller luggage. There are a lot of bridges you’re going to have to go up and down, carrying your bags across stairs. We were fortunate enough that when we took the Vaporetto from the train station to our stop near our apartment, we only had to go over one or two bridges.

D: Right.

J: There are some bridges that do have ramps, but they’re very few and far between, and they’re mainly on major bridges near places like St. Mark’s Square. Everywhere else, it’s completely stairs.

J: So be prepared to carry whatever you bring, or get an expensive water taxi that can sometimes take you directly to your hotel or accommodations.

#9: Visit Venice’s Famous Bookstore

D: My number nine is visit the famous bookstore. I think it’s Libreria Acqua Alta.

D: It’s a really cool bookstore. They’ve got books in bathtubs and gondolas because of the flooding they experience. They have really old books stacked everywhere, and they even have a back area where you can walk up books arranged like a staircase and get a really cool picture.

J: And you’ll see lots of different little cats lying around throughout the bookstore as well.

D: It’s a nice place. If you’re a reader, it’s a really cool place to buy a book.

J: We made the mistake of not going early. You’d probably want to go early or right before it closes because when we went, it was packed.

D: Yeah, it’s very tiny. It’s hard for one person to get through, and allowing somebody to get by you is difficult as well.

#9: Try Squid Ink Pasta

J: My number nine is when you’re in Venice, try squid ink pasta at least once. It’s a specialty in Venice, and it tastes better than it looks, especially if you like seafood.

J: It doesn’t look great. It’s basically black sauce on your pasta, and sometimes it has little pieces of squid in it. But it’s actually not as bad as one might think just by looking at it.

D: If you like fish, then you’re probably going to like it.

J: Or if you like calamari.

D: Our nephew said his first bite was an immediate “no,” but after a few more bites he realized it wasn’t too bad. I think it was just the initial shock.

D: It did temporarily turn his mouth black, though.

J: Yeah, it can get a little messy, so make sure you use your napkin generously afterward.

#8: Visit the Opera House

D: My number eight is visit the Opera House. This offers a chance to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful and historically significant opera houses.

D: It’s famous for rising from the ashes after two major fires and is a must-see for art and history enthusiasts.

D: It’s very elaborate. There was so much gold throughout the opera house. The interior is a masterpiece of 18th-century design, characterized by luxurious gold detailing and plush red velvet seating.

J: My wife has kind of been on an opera house kick ever since we visited the one in Paris.

D: Yep, I want to check them all off my list.

J: Did you need reservations?

D: I booked online through the website.

J: Can you buy tickets in person?

D: I believe so, yes.

D: I went when it opened, and it wasn’t very busy. It’s not open every day for tourists because they still have performances going on as well. You can also grab a seat for one of the shows.

#8: Stay on the Island of Venice

J: My number eight is stay on the island of Venice during your stay.

J: I know a lot of advice says to stay on the mainland and visit Venice during the day, but I actually advise against that.

J: If you want the best experiences Venice has to offer, they’re usually in the mornings and evenings when there aren’t crowds. The Vaporettos don’t really start bringing in masses of people until around eight or nine in the morning.

J: You also avoid paying the daily tourist fee that day visitors now have to pay.

J: It’s more immersive. You get to experience authentic neighborhoods, see how locals live, and watch how the city functions day to day.

J: We saw delivery boats, trash collection boats, and people sweeping the streets by hand with brooms that looked like Harry Potter brooms.

D: It did.

J: It wasn’t outrageously expensive when we went, and I think you get a better experience overall.

D: I didn’t think it was that expensive, and I’m very frugal.

#7: Shop for Authentic Venetian Goods

D: My number seven is do some shopping.

D: Venice offers a unique opportunity to acquire authentic artisan crafts, especially Murano glass. You don’t actually have to visit Murano to buy Murano glass.

D: You’ll also find handcrafted carnival masks, textiles, leather goods, custom-tailored apparel, and unique jewelry.

D: It’s a premier destination for discovering specialized boutiques hidden along quiet canals, as well as luxury fashion brands near San Marco.

J: Just be careful. You’re going to see a lot of shops selling Murano glass, but some of them sell knockoffs made elsewhere.

J: Make sure you’re actually buying something authentic and made in Murano.

#7: Use the Vaporetto

J: My number seven is make use of the Vaporetto.

J: The Vaporetto is Venice’s water bus system. There are no cars, so you’re either taking a Vaporetto or an expensive water taxi.

J: Water taxis can start around €45 and go well over €100 for a single ride.

J: A Vaporetto ticket costs about €9.50 and allows unlimited rides for 75 minutes. There are also multi-day passes available:

• 24-hour pass: €25
• 48-hour pass: €35
• 72-hour pass: €45
• 7-day pass: €65

J: Just remember to validate your ticket before boarding.

J: It’s a great way to get around and visit places like Murano, Burano, San Giorgio Maggiore, and different neighborhoods around Venice.

D: Take advantage of the maps because not every Vaporetto line goes to the same stops.

J: Google Maps actually worked really well for public transportation in Venice and helped us understand routes and schedules.

#6: Enjoy Authentic Gelato

D: My number six is indulge in some gelato. We had gelato every day, sometimes twice a day.

D: Gelato is dense, creamy, and made with natural ingredients. Many shops offer unique flavors like Dubai chocolate, white chocolate with saffron, and even spritz-flavored options.

D: The best authentic gelato is usually stored in covered metal tins. That’s what I always looked for.

D: My nephew says if they put a cookie on top, then it’s good gelato.

D: Look for natural colors. Pistachio should be pale green, not bright green.

J: Just expect intense flavors. The first pistachio gelato I had tasted exactly like eating salted pistachios.

D: I’m definitely a gelato fan now.

#6: Buy Skip-the-Line Tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica

J: My number six is buy skip-the-line tickets for St. Mark’s Basilica.

J: I made the mistake of believing I could show up early and buy a ticket at the door. Older information online suggested that was possible.

J: However, when I got there, they no longer allowed ticket purchases at the entrance. You needed a timed-entry ticket purchased online ahead of time.

J: Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go inside because of that mistake.

#5: Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

D: My number five is bring a reusable water bottle.

D: Drinking water is free from over 126 public fountains throughout Venice, so there’s no need to buy bottled water all day.

D: Venice is actively trying to reduce pollution from single-use plastics.

D: The tap water is high quality and perfectly safe to drink. We drank it from our apartment, and we filled up at public fountains all over the city.

J: That was something I really appreciated about Italy. It’s nice to be walking around and stumble across a fountain where you can refill your bottle.

D: There’s also an app called Veritas that helps you find nearby water fountains.

#5: Visit a Bacaro and Try Cicchetti

J: My number five is visit a Bacaro and try Cicchetti.

J: Cicchetti is a Venetian specialty. It’s kind of like happy hour food, except you can enjoy it throughout the day.

J: You usually pick three to five small bites served on bread with toppings like cheese, meat, or seafood.

J: Then you pair it with a glass of wine or a spritz.

J: It’s a great way to interact with locals and enjoy a social atmosphere.

J: Every Bacaro has its own unique creations, though many offer traditional favorites like cod spread.

J: They’re usually only a few euros each, making them a budget-friendly meal.

#4: Stay in an Apartment

D: My number four is stay in an apartment rather than a hotel.

D: Apartments provide a more authentic experience and allow you to live like a local.

D: We stayed in Castello and absolutely loved it.

D: Apartments often provide more space, more privacy, kitchens, and are often cheaper than hotels.

D: Local hosts can also provide personalized recommendations about restaurants, attractions, and tourist traps.

J: It definitely felt more authentic.

D: We had everything at our fingertips. It was a little farther from the main tourist areas, but we didn’t mind walking.

J: It also helped burn off all the food.

D: Absolutely.

J: Apartments are also great if you’re traveling through multiple cities because many have laundry facilities.

D: We definitely appreciated having that option.

#4: Know the Dress Codes and Bag Limits

J: My number four is know that there are dress codes and bag limits at some attractions.

J: In the basilicas, both men and women need to have their shoulders and knees covered.

J: St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace also have bag size restrictions.

J: St. Mark’s Basilica even had a sizing box that your bag had to fit into before entering.

J: Don’t bring a large backpack unless you’re prepared to potentially be turned away.

#3: Spend at Least Four Days in Venice

D: My number three is if you really want to see the city, allow for four days minimum.

D: That gives you time to explore beyond St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

D: It allows for a slower pace and gives you time to visit Murano and Burano.

D: It also gives you the opportunity to explore the six neighborhoods without rushing.

J: We were only there about two and a half days.

D: And we really needed another day and a half.

D: There were places we saw from the bell tower and wanted to visit but simply ran out of time.

#3: Visit Burano

J: My number three is take time to visit Burano. It is definitely worth the trip.

J: The colorful houses and small canals create a picturesque setting whether you’re a photographer or not.

J: We went very early and were even able to experience the sunrise.

J: Besides the colorful houses, Burano is also known for handmade lace.

J: Unfortunately, we arrived too early and didn’t stay long enough for the shops to open.

D: The shops say they open around 10, but sometimes that really means closer to 11.

#2: Tour Doge’s Palace

D: My number two is visit Doge’s Palace.

D: You’ll get to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, which connected palace rooms to the prison.

D: It gives you a haunting glimpse into a prisoner’s final view of Venice.

D: Inside you’ll see the Golden Staircase, the Giant Staircase, and stunning Renaissance architecture.

D: The prison cells were especially eerie. There were no beds, no toilets, and very little light.

J: Just a piece of bread.

D: It was surreal to see what life was like for prisoners there.

J: I’d recommend splurging for the audio guide because it gives valuable historical context.

D: I believe there are also guided tours that take you into areas not normally open to the public.

#2: Go Up the Bell Tower at San Giorgio Maggiore

J: My number two is visit San Giorgio Maggiore.

J: Most people go up St. Mark’s Bell Tower, but the bell tower on San Giorgio Maggiore actually offers a better view.

J: From there, you can see all of St. Mark’s Square and the Venice skyline.

J: There was rarely a line, and it was only about six euros.

D: It was very inexpensive.

J: The island is only a couple of minutes away by Vaporetto from St. Mark’s Square.

D: You get to see the entire city from above, and that’s how we discovered neighborhoods we wanted to visit on a future trip.

#1: Get Lost on Purpose

D: My number one is get lost on purpose.

D: Google Maps works surprisingly well in Venice, so it’s hard to truly get lost, but wandering allows you to discover quiet neighborhoods and hidden gems.

D: Just keep walking. Turn right. Turn left. Explore.

D: You’ll find scenic canals, street performers, local cafés, and beautiful spots away from the crowds.

D: It’s a very safe city to walk around in.

D: Our host kept telling us, “Whatever you do, just get lost in Venice.”

#1: Take a Gondola Ride

J: My number one is take a gondola ride.

J: I know people debate whether it’s worth spending €90, but for a first visit, I absolutely think it’s worth doing.

J: Where you start your ride matters. If you start near St. Mark’s Square, you’ll spend more time on busy canals with lots of boat traffic.

J: We recommend starting near the Hard Rock Café, where many gondolas depart. About 90% of our ride was through quiet, narrow canals.

J: The cost is the same whether there’s one person or six to eight people in the gondola, so sharing can help reduce costs.

D: It’s worth a 30-minute ride.

J: Absolutely.

Closing Thoughts

J: This concludes our top 10. Hopefully you guys took something from this.

J: Well, that’s it for this episode. We hope you enjoyed this discussion and found some value in it. We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s topic, so drop us a comment and let us know. And if you enjoy our conversations, consider subscribing to the podcast on whatever platform you listen on.

D: From both of us here at Current Thoughts, thanks for listening. We’ll be back soon with another honest conversation. Till then, stay curious, stay open, and stay real.