Venice is a unique city located in a lagoon in the northeast of Italy. It is actually made up of over 100 small islands separated by many waterways and canals and joined by picturesque bridges. Settled as an independent republic, it finally became part of Italy at the end of the 18th century, and the lagoon itself and some parts of the city are a UNESCO world heritage site.
Contrary to popular opinion, there are actually roads and trains on the islands, and it is only in the old center where people have to travel by boat. It is easy to catch one of the many gondolas or water buses known as vaporetti. Don’t forget to look for one of our cheap vacation packages, including a flight to Venice, so that you can start enjoying all the romance and beauty that this Italian city has to offer.
Marco Polo is one of Venice’s more famous sons, and the main international airport is named after him. You can also fly to Treviso airport which is about 17 miles outside Venice but is connected with a public bus service. Transport connections to the city itself range from private hire car to buses or trains, and if you land at Marco Polo International Airport you can even get on a motor boat to take you to your hotel in the city. Book your flight from New York to Venice or flight from Los Angeles to Venice with us and we will make sure you have the best start to your vacation.
US citizens are allowed to visit Italy for up to 90 days without the need for a visa as long as your passport still has 6 months to run, and as for most of Europe the currency is in euros. The time difference is only 6 hours ahead of New York, and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles so jet lag shouldn’t cause you too much of a problem when you book your exciting and romantic vacation package deal with us.
The weather in Venice is typical southern European; it can be a little chilly in the winter but is lovely and warm during the summer months. February is the time to visit if you want to see the carnival, or September if you would like to experience the Venice Film Festival. And of course, book a flight and hotel deal with us in June or July if you want to experience all the fun of the beaches on your vacation to Venice.
St. Mark’s Basilica is definitely a must, but please note that there is no point standing in line at the entrance if you have a backpack. Make sure you deposit it in the left-luggage room around the side first before you join the queue or you will waste quite a bit of time. Also try to see the Rialto Bridge, but always assume it will take longer to get somewhere than you were expecting. Venice’s winding lanes can be confusing even to locals, but the buildings and bridges are so beautiful you won’t mind in the slightest taking a few wrong turns. Book your flight and hotel package to Venice with us so that you can make sure you get a great travel deal for this wonderful vacation spot.
Instead of sticking to the traditional Italian staples of pizza and pasta, Venice has so much more to offer. Because it is built on water, fish feature heavily in traditional menus and you can experience some wonderful, unique dishes all over the city. An unusual but delicious one to get you started is the sarde in saor, a sweet and sour dish made primarily from sardines. You can enjoy it as a snack or appetizer but if a main dish is more to your liking, you can try Moleche. This is a wonderful dish consisting of local green crabs and a perfect way to celebrate your vacation to Venice in style.
Carnivale is well known in Venice as a time of high excitement and mystery, and many participants wear the exotic carnival masks. You can buy these from many of the souvenir shops in the city, or you could look out for the real, artisanal mask makers in some of the back streets. The authentic masks are quite heavy and beautifully made but will be a little more expensive than the general ones you can find all over Venice.
Synonymous with Venice is the exquisitely made Murano glass. You can watch it being made in one of the many factories on the island of Murano, and then maybe buy some to take back with you. It will be a beautiful way to remember your vacation in Venice, so book your last minute vacation package with us and you’ll be there before you know it.
Are you planning your flight to Italy? If the allure of Venice for your getaway doesn't quite captivate you, consider delving into the charm of other vibrant cities from this country, and other near countries. Browse through our enticing flight and hotel bundles for your upcoming holiday escapade!