Get Lost in Venice
Get swept away by the romantic, old-world charm of Venice. Enjoy a gondola ride along a quiet canal; stay at an inn once frequented by Ernest Hemingway; and learn to blow glass on Murano Island.
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Dolomites Mountains
Looking for adventure? From late spring to early autumn, the Dolomites mountains become a tourist mecca for mountain biking, base jumping, hang gliding, paragliding and hiking. The mountain range, located in northeastern Italy, is also the spot for skiing in the winter.
Burano Island
An island in Northern Italy's Venetian Lagoon, Burano is a 40-minute motorboat ride away from Venice. The quiet village is known for its brightly colored homes and authentic, handmade lace that can cost $1,000 to $2,000 for a 10-inch doily.
Doge's Palace
More than a million people visit Doge’s Palace each year. The palace, once home to the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice, is now one of 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei civici di Venezia, a foundation that manages and develops the cultural and artistic heritage of Venice and its islands.
Hotel Gritti Palace
This luxe hotel was once home to Andrea Gritti, the Duke of Venice from 1523 to 1538. International royalty, rock stars and literary giants have stayed at the Hotel Gritti Palace -- the most luxurious and classiest hotel on the Grand Canal in Venice. The rooms have tented curtains over tall windows, inlaid antique furnishings and ornate built-in dressers hand-painted in 18th-century Venetian style.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
We recommend skiers visit Cortina d’Ampezzo. This popular winter sports resort town is known for its ski ranges, shops and après-ski scene. Nestled in an alpine valley surrounded by the Alps, Cortina was also a popular movie location for films including The Pink Panther, Cliffhanger and the James Bond flick For Your Eyes Only.
Aqua Palace Hotel
Located in Venice’s Castello Quarter, the luxurious Aqua Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel that strikes a perfect balance between traditional Venetian style and the modern comforts of home, along with beautiful panoramic views of the city. The hotel’s convenient location provides guests easy access to the Grand Canal via a gondola ride or fun sightseeing to visit nearby tourist attractions, including Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
Handcrafted Glass
Take a half-day trip to the Murano and Burano islands to learn how handcrafted glass and lace are made. Glassmakers use a unique technique called lampworking, where a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass. In a molten state, the glass is then formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements.
Murano Island
Visit beautiful Murano, an island located off the shore of Venice, Italy. Glassmaking in Murano may have originated in Rome during the 8th century, with significant Asian and Muslim influences; by the 10th century, Murano had developed a strong reputation for the craft.
Romantic Gondola Ride
A trip to Venice wouldn’t be quite as perfect without a romantic gondola ride through a quiet canal. A standard gondola ride is usually 40 minutes, but the fare can be expensive. We recommend negotiating for a shorter trip during the day, when fares are lower than at night.
Locanda Cipriani
Stay at a Locanda Cipriani for a romantic getaway. Once a rustic wine shop, this country inn was where literary great Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River and Into the Trees. The Santa Fosca room seemed to inspire him the most, with its original oak floors and balcony overlooking the garden. Owned by the Cipriani family, the inn has been open for business on the corner of the lagoon -- known as Torcello -- since the late 1920s.
St. Mark's Square
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful squares, Piazza San Marco, aka St. Mark’s Square. Located in the heart of Venice, the Piazzetta is an extension of the Piazza toward the lagoon. These 2 spaces combined form the social, religious and political center of the city.