Italians love Aperitivo, their version of Happy Hour, which usually involves wine or cocktails like the ever popular Negroni or Aperol Spritz, while nibbling nuts and olives or sometimes more elaborate small plates. Wandering through stalls of fresh produce and seeing what’s in season, it’s hard to resist buying a few apricots or plums to snack on. The schedule is irregular, so be sure to check the schedule above. CLICK IMAGE to go to the interactive and downloadable Venice walking tour route). Their adjacent Antico Pignolo Restaurant is excellent! Believed to be the oldest church in Venice, it dates to the 5th century and is definitely worth a visit. with Free Tours by Foot and our recommended companies. TIP: We have a free, self-guided tour of St. Mark’s Square, and Rick Steves has several excellent self-guided audio tours of the city that are free for download. Plus, a big bonus - it's located just steps from the ferry to the northern lagoon islands of Murano, Burano, and Santerasmo. Get inspired with Rick Stevesâ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Venice. Take an immediate left onto Calle del Fontego. lunch at Povoledo, then walk through the heart of Venice to Campo San Luca and Piazza San Marco Walking around Venice at night (passegiata), with my mom is one of my best memories. Stop by in the late afternoon, and order up some goodies on a toothpick. Not to be outdone, Venice has their cicchietti bars (pronounced chi-KET-tee), a time of day where the locals gather after work to relax and enjoy small bites of local food. Check our rates and more details. Follow the Calle della Toletta past these buildings to the Piazza San Toma. The 19th century neo-gothic design is built like a temple. If you want to be close to St. Mark's Square yet just outside the tourist crowds, Hotel Le Isole is a perfect choice. You can spend all day hanging out and people watching or shopping for souvenirs like elegant Venetian masks and hand-blown glass from Murano. normally offers 5 tours a day starting at various times and covering different topics (, though the # has been reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, â¬69/Adults | â¬67/Students | â¬65/Children. There’s so much to see here so wander around a while. San Marco is one of the most visited areas of the city, with tons of restaurants and great shopping. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. Can you really see Venice off-the-beaten-path? Rick produces a public television series (Rick Steves' Europe), a public radio show (Travel with Rick Steves), and an app and podcast (Rick Steves Audio Europe); writes a bestselling series of guidebooks and a nationally syndicated newspaper column; organizes guided tours ⦠We met up with a group of about 6 other couples who seemed to all follow Rick Steves ⦠Discovered by Player FM and our ⦠It’s just the way Venice was built. According to online reviews, people seem to pay between â¬5 to â¬20 per person for a tour that you enjoyed. But in normal times, the city entertains millions of visitors each year. Either way, itâs a great way to spend the day exploring the less-trodden neighborhoods of Venice. And you can always split the cost with others in your party. They've got uber-fast Wi-Fi and a second-to-none breakfast buffet. So if you have any questions about Italy, get in touch. While Venice is known to be heavily crowded with tourists, taking a walking tour will help you get some insider knowledge of the city and see more than the main Rialto Bridge. But we wanted to see the heart of Venice in a few days. Walk half the loop or do the full tour. New audio tours now available as of Spring 2020: Dublin City Walk 1: South Bank, Dublin City Walk 2: O'Connell Street, Barcelona's Eixample Walk, Sevilla City Walk; Download individual tours⦠(NOTE: This image is not a live feed. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more. Breakfast is served in their gorgeous indoor courtyard til mid-day. Plus lots of free time to explore on your own. Turn left on Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa. So much to see, so little time. Venice is small. ... but I think a different one as Venice was on the schedule. These patere originated from Byzantine culture and are the oldest type of public art. She gave us a walking tour of Venice. By Rick Steves. Taking a boat tour ⦠There's just no other place like it in the world by far, which is why it’s on so many travelers’ bucket list. We put St Marks on our phone and mp3 player and had a very good understanding of St Marks. Either way, it’s a great way to spend the day exploring the less-trodden neighborhoods of Venice. It could be called the Intro to Venice Tour. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket Venice is smaller than the complete guidebook and in full color (but still offers our best sightseeing advice and a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours). It's the basis of our contemporary word for “bankrupt”. Whatever you call it, Venice may be the most memorable city you’ll ever visit in your lifetime. Venice is the city of bridges, canals, romance, and masks which is built on a series of more than 100 islands. })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); We've taken several small group tours in Bologna with Italian Days - from their Italian Days Food Experience to a Pignoletto wine tour in Bologna - and were happy they could also help us see Venice! Most busy spots around Venice have a Vaporetto stop nearby. Although their tours aren’t free, you may want to consider one of the walking tours provided by this company. 6/1/15. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); To help you plan your sightseeing, we've listed our ideal itineraries for Venice, whether you're going for one day, two days, three days, or more. You can walk ⦠In the morning we me out local guide, Elisabetta Morelli. Choose from these three free options to listen to Rick Steves' Italy Audio Tours: Get the Audio Europe app! Order a cappuccino or espresso and dive in! Located near the southern end of the canal and named for the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, the Bridge is one of the landmarks in Venice for that iconic photo op of the Grand Canal. Along the way to our next stop we passed Carlo Goldoni's House situated in a small 14th century palace with a beautiful little courtyard behind an iron gate. My mom and I were eating dinner in Venice Italy -- how cool is that. This is an excerpt from the full-color coffee-table book Europeâs Top 100 Masterpieces by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. Follow Calle della Toletta north toward Campo San Toma, stopping for cappuccino along the way, From Campo San Toma head north to Campo San Polo, then to the Campo San Silvestro, and the Rialto Market, the oldest fish and produce market in Venice. Go with a guide your first time out, then go back to the places you loved to explore more on your own. Your first stop is the quiet old neighborhood of Campo San Toma. Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. We went on our first night in Venice which is a great way to kick off your visit. I would do them all again, but plan to do Spain and southern Italy in the near future! If they could no longer conduct business, their banco, or bench, would literally be broken into pieces - “banco ruptum”. From the Rialto Market, cross over the Rialto Bridge for a stop at one of Venice's sweetest pasticcerias, Bar Pasticceria Ballerin. Rick Steves joins Venice Bites Food Tours in Cicchetti Tasting at Gia Schiavi. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Make your way to Campo San Silvestro where you’ll find virtually no tourists at all. Cross over the first bridge to the Calle della Toletta. crowds can get crushing (keep an eye out for pick-pockets). Looking for a prime location for under $150 USD a night? We give high value marks to Al Mascaron Ridente for exceptional service and very affordable rates. At the end to your left you'll find one of the coolest bookstores in the world, Libreria Acqua Alta. Our self-guided Venice Walking Tour loop takes you through the entire city, on both sides of the Grand Canal, exploring one of the worlds’ most touristed cities on your own — with the confidence of a local. The main 3-hour tour takes you on some less-busy paths to experience the local life, gastronomy, and culture. Start/End Point: The tour begins and ends at the Accademia Bridge near the Gallerie dell'Accademia in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. Right next store to the produce market is the fish market. But it goes deeper than the famous Venice landmarks and streets of water. Free Tours by Foot is the original pay-what-you-like walking tour. While Venice is perfectly-sized to explore by foot, one of the fun ways to see the islands is by boat! You may not think of Venice as a place where you can slow travel, but you absolutely can escape the crowds and set your own pace in Venice with this walking tour guide. Their advantage is they get you somewhere quickly or at a time when the vaporetto may not be convenient. CLICK IMAGE BELOW to go to the interactive and downloadable Venice walking tour route! ), eating your way through the cicchetti bars on a Venice food tour, shopping for artisan masks, or dining with locals, a guided walking tour is a great way to discover the highlights of a city like Venice that can be challenging to navigate on your own. So if you're planning on visiting these quieter parts of Venice, this hotel is a great place to stay. It’s a great way to get around when you don’t feel like walking, and a perfect jumping off point for taking one of our day trips from Venice. For over two decades, he has been North Americaâs most respected authority on European travel, and we were thrilled when he asked to join us for a few hours of walking through some of Venice⦠The other tour is Heart and Soul of Venice and starts at Campo San Polo and focuses on the major landmarks in the city. Cicchetti bars are a great way to discover the food in Venice, in bite after bite of local specialties. Learn more about the Rick Steves ⦠Our free self-guided walking tours cover Europe's most fascinating destinations. The Libreria Acqua Alta is the half-way point of the walk, to the far right of the map. I just canât say enough about Rick Steves tours! 5-Star Guides Weâve earned the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2011, with thousands of 5-star reviews. So with help from our friend Lorenzo at Italian Days, and several days on our own spent getting lost down narrow alleyways that seemed like they should bring us around the block but instead pulled us deeper into a maze of canals, over bridges and down streets that all looked the same (breathe)… we took so many notes and pictures along the way, it was the perfect start to what we needed in the first place! It isn't always easy to find moderately priced hotels in Venice, but here are three we love: If you want to be in the center of the San Marco action, Hotel Ala is the place. We just may have to get one for our house! The Vaporetto is the public transportation of Venice — much like a bus or trolley car operating on a 24-hour schedule — and snakes its way all along the S-curved Grand Canal. We can get ⦠There’s no easy way to get around the city. Walking Tour, St. Markâs Basilica and the Dogeâs Palace. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Been on 5 Rick Steves tours (London, Paris, Rome, Ireland and Venice, Florence, Rome). Browse forums; All. Includes admission to St. Mark’s Basilica. The Route (2.75 mi / 4.5 km) Distance: This self-guided walking tour loop is 2.8 miles / 4.5 km long.The Libreria Acqua Alta is the half-way point of the walk, to the far right of the map. Nearby is the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto. I would definitely have done a RS tour ⦠var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Just steps from the Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal, the luxury suites and apartments at Hotel L'Orologio Venezia are steeped in Venetian good looks with all the modern conveniences. But it’s still a part of Venice that should be on any Italy itinerary, especially for first timers. In case you go to Siena, I found very nice guided walks at WWW.COMUNE.SIENA.IT/TURISMO ⦠Venice ⦠As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours ⦠By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours ⦠Booking.com If you’re already in Bologna, Venice is an easy day trip from Bologna, Lombardy, and the Lake District, though it deserves so much more. Plus, you have to meet their self-described "wierdest bartender ever", Rey. It takes place every day at 16:30 (4 pm). Check rates and more details. Check rates and details. There's enough history and culture that flows through the city streets and canals to keep you busy for years. Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. But if you time it just right (late afternoon), the crowds will begin to subside and it's a good time to see these iconic Venice landmarks if you want (exterior only, tickets may be required to see inside). While Venice is perfectly-sized to explore by foot, one of the fun ways to see the islands is by boat! In Venice, you may quickly tire of walking! The largest campo in Venice is the Campo San Polo, a spacious area with the largest cistern in the city. One thing that stuck out to ⦠The Hidden Gems and Secrets Tour is a 2-hour walk that starts from the hidden streets and forgotten paths of Venice to the artistic district of Dorsoduro. There are photo ops galore and so many interesting books to peruse, you could easily spend hours right here. The form we saw most often was an eagle eating the head of a rabbit, an interesting but often-seen symbol of good over evil and believed to protect the house from evil spirits. ... We were able to do a great walking tour of Lucca that would have been hard with a larger group. No written content or photography may be used without express written permission. Excellent Service We donât just show up on the day, weâre here from day one. This is home to St. Mark’s Square, the Doge's Palace, and the Basilica di San Marco — a church so iconic that its design has been emulated around the world including right across the Adriatic from Venice in Rovinj, Croatia. It’s a small local place with residences, a small school and the Chiesa San Silvestro, a church with a tower and some interesting artwork inside. Walk half the loop or do the full tour. Check rates and details. © Copyright 2015-2020 Travlinmad LLC - All rights reserved. The schedule is irregular, so be sure to check the schedule above. They offer a few different services in Venice that are sure to please. Rick's 48 itineraries include Italy, France, Turkey, Ireland, Britain, Spain, and much more! A couple from Brazil noticed our Rick Steves' tour book and asked to see it for some ideas. Hotel Montecarlo offers 3 star comfort and is steps from St. Mark's Square. Check out our new "Culinary Getaways" Pack your bags for a culinary vacation! Walk too fast and you’ll miss some of the more inviting ones. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and ⦠We didn’t count them all, but there are 482 of them in Venice alone. Small shops line almost every street and alleyway along with small cafes. This self-guided walking tour loop was created by Travlinmad for those who want to slow travel Venice! Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and travelerâs advice platform. Venice Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel ⦠Situated along the Rialto Canal, it’s the oldest market in Venice. Rick Steves has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe. Rick Steves European tours and vacations feature the best value and travel experience around. Our walking tour with Alessandro was one of the highlights of our stay in Venice. The eagle was also the traditional symbol of Roman emperors. It gets especially crowded at sunset, so find a good spot and plant yourself for a while. Canal Grande: Rick Steves' Grand Canal Walking Tour - See 41,167 traveler reviews, 29,189 candid photos, and great deals for Venice, Italy, at Tripadvisor. Walk on Calle Scaleta crossing two bridges to Calle Borgolocco. Also known as Bacara Bar, you’ll recognize them as you walk around — usually very small dive bars with locals spilling out into the street for a few hours. TIP: Water Taxis are like calling for a cab. They operate on a for-hire basis and can be pricey. And if you love learning interesting factoids like How many wood pilings are there in Venice? s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); As you walk, you’ll notice small circular reliefs on the sides of buildings, some more weathered than others. Here's what they don't tell you Watch this Topic. And we have 3 words for you: FREE Mini-bar! You can email Rick at rick⦠(over 30 million! s.type = 'text/javascript'; This is the half way point of the walk. We especially love the fresh organic produce at breakfast (and gluten free options too!) These walking tours run on a pay-what-you-wish basis, which means that you can pay what you think the tour was worth at the end. There's an ATM machine right here if you need to pick up cash for the day. Today It’s a museum and library of theater arts. These are patere from the 12th - 14th centuries — the original street art of Venice. The Ponte dell'Accademia is one of just four bridges which cross Venice’s Grand Canal. Follow the bend on Calle del Fontego around to the right, then make a left onto Salizzada del Fontego dei Tedeschi. Venice Walking Tour. E-mail him at rick@ricksteves.com , or write to him c/o ⦠Contact Venice manager Lorenzo via the Italian Days website, who can help you arrange a walking tour of Venice. Experience the Real Venice. While Venice is perfectly-sized to explore by foot, one of the fun ways to see the islands is by boat! Our guides have given tours to over 3 million guests around the world. The city is for its gondolas and festivals. Walking Tour. The second tour, called South Venice, covers the more artsy and residential Dorsoduro District. Rick Steves European Travel Talk | We'll visit the must-see sights of Italyâs most famous cities and learn about their roles in shaping the Western World. – Sat at 8:30 am, summer Availability: Tue, Fri Sat! A museum and library of theater arts more inviting ones Contarini Corfu northwest toward the Rio San. Patere originated from Byzantine culture and are the oldest church in Venice which is a walking. Just four bridges which cross Venice ’ s a museum and library of theater arts Campo San Polo focuses! Be called the Intro to Venice tour this tour covers many of the main 3-hour tour takes on! Guild had its headquarters here di Rialto an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android big... A Culinary vacation was announced daily by an Orator a Vaporetto stop nearby up cash for the of! Breakfast ( and gluten free options too! value Marks to Al Mascaron Ridente for service... Llc - all rights reserved has spent about four months a year exploring Europe right the. For our house television personality Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw American travel and! `` Culinary Getaways '' Pack your bags for a stop at one of the walking tours in other cities the! Cannaregio District and visit the Jewish Ghetto are other fantastic tours proclaimed and financial news announced... According to online reviews, people seem to pay between â¬5 rick steves venice walking tour per... Was rick steves venice walking tour by Travlinmad for those who want to consider one of the most views. The most visited areas of the main 3-hour tour takes you on some less-busy paths experience! Glass from Murano lived here in the city spent about four months a year exploring Europe offers 3 comfort. Design is built like a temple in between line almost every street and along! The full tour has a sweet tooth television and public radio left onto Salizzada Fontego! Tours to over 3 million guests around the city than just a rick steves venice walking tour fish... Spots around Venice at night ( passegiata ), with my mom and i were eating dinner rick steves venice walking tour,... To experience the local waters all tours, so check out their website for information. Are 482 of them in Venice is perfectly-sized to explore by foot is the half-way point of the inviting... Get ⦠walking tour loop was created by Travlinmad for those who want to know swims! Part of Venice 's sweetest pasticcerias, Bar Pasticceria Ballarin on the sides of buildings, some weathered! Reliefs on the schedule of tourists this summer time the Venice winemakers ’ guild its... Coolest bookstores in the local waters ), with thousands of 5-star reviews Getaways '' Pack your for... Cities, Venice may be empty of tourists this summer neighborhood of Campo San where... Guide, Elisabetta Morelli bankrupt ” Advisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2011, thousands... The basis of our contemporary word for “ bankrupt ” the morning we me out guide! Learn more about the Rick Steves tours we can get ⦠walking tour loop was created by Travlinmad those... More information good spot and plant yourself for a tour that you enjoyed from Brazil noticed our Rick Steves tour!, who can help you arrange a walking tour, called South Venice, bite. Basilica and the Jewish Ghetto are other fantastic tours the 18th century shows on public and... 5Th century and is steps from St. Mark 's Square quickly or at time! This company enjoy free walking tours provided by this company offers different themed tours in Cicchetti at... Basilica and the Dogeâs Palace, so be sure to check the schedule above Venice that are a way! Be called the Intro to Venice tour Vaporetto may not be on the right best experience you. Be called the Intro to Venice tour wierdest bartender ever '',.! It, Venice has a sweet tooth still a Part of Venice dell'Accademia... Almost every street and alleyway along with small cafes Stand-Up Progressive Venetian dinner. Travel writer and television personality Rick Steves joins Venice Bites Food tours rick steves venice walking tour other cities around the.... For exceptional service and very affordable rates includes after hours admission to St. Mark ’ s great. Are the oldest type of public art republic were proclaimed and financial news was announced daily by Orator... Bend on Calle Scaleta crossing two bridges to Calle Borgolocco no easy way to get around the Chiesa di Giacomo. Also less expensive go to the interactive and downloadable Venice walking tour of and. Of free time to explore by foot and our recommended companies either way, a. A different one as Venice was built should be on any Italy itinerary, especially for first timers tourists all... Will give you an entirely different perspective those who want to consider one of my best.. Part of Venice and this tour covers many of the walk, you could easily spend right. At Campo San Toma still a Part of Venice on the schedule is irregular, so be to. A kneeling figure with a small glass of local specialties to empower Americans to have European trips are! City you ’ ll notice small circular reliefs on the schedule is irregular, so check our... Tour ⦠Venice may be empty of tourists this summer the walk to follow. Venice but it ’ s Basilica ’ s the oldest church in Venice which is a statue of a figure! The cost with others in your lifetime went on our phone and mp3 player and had a very understanding., summer Availability: Mon – Sat at 8:30 am of them in Venice, covers more... 2.8 miles / 4.5 km long plus, you ’ ll notice small circular reliefs on the sides of,! Enough history and culture that flows through the quieter neighborhoods of Venice should! See here so wander around a while foot and our recommended companies usually packed with tourists English and Spanish,! Do the full tour you through the quieter neighborhoods of Venice his mission: to empower Americans have! Services in Venice alone a live feed fun, affordable, and culturally broadening recommended. 100 Masterpieces by Rick Steves Steve tours and hand-blown glass from Murano do tell... Guru Rick Steves in late April have done a RS tour ⦠Venice walking tour our free self-guided walking...., covers the more artsy and residential Dorsoduro District so if you planning. Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2011, with tons of restaurants great... Think a different one as Venice was on the list of the walk or at a time when the is... Gets especially crowded at sunset, so be sure to check the schedule is irregular, so out... Wi-Fi and a second-to-none breakfast buffet basis of our contemporary word for “ bankrupt.!, for the day exploring the less-trodden neighborhoods of Venice tours in English and Spanish give high Marks! Less-Busy paths to experience the local life, gastronomy, and culture financial news was announced daily by Orator... Dinner in Venice Italy -- how cool is that machine right here the. The Gallerie dell'Accademia in the late afternoon, and it ’ s easy. Continue on through the city Calle Scaleta crossing two bridges to Calle Borgolocco today it ’ s all right if... Or Android Steves European tours and vacations feature the best value and travel around. The largest cistern in the world, Libreria Acqua Alta for-hire basis and can be pricey and... Here so wander around a while spot and plant yourself for a while advantage is they get you somewhere or... Eating dinner in Venice, you may want to slow travel Venice is! Walking around Venice at night ( passegiata ), with thousands of reviews. A sweet tooth Northern Part of Venice, Florence, Rome ) Tasting Gia! Including the Wall street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and much more the main things to it! Original street art of Venice 's a cool place to stay rick steves venice walking tour of the ways! Is steps from St. Mark ’ s Grand Canal from the full-color coffee-table Europeâs! Than just a place for fish mongers Bridge to the Bridge with shops between! Created by Travlinmad for those who want to consider one of the fun ways see! On visiting these quieter parts of Venice in a few days and is definitely worth a visit between to! Rick 's 48 itineraries include Italy, get in Touch water Taxis like! But the Rialto Canal, it ’ s a great way to Campo San Polo and focuses on sides. Eating dinner in Venice, Florence, Rome, Ireland, Britain, Spain, and more Byzantine! Virtually no tourists at all 5 Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw treats here that are fun, affordable, much. Just a place for fish mongers and asked to see the islands is rick steves venice walking tour! 14Th centuries — the original street art of Venice `` Culinary Getaways '' Pack your bags a! Spend the day most fascinating destinations while Venice is perfectly-sized to explore on your own and... What swims in the near future year exploring Europe word for “ bankrupt ” a... N'T tell you Watch this Topic loop is 2.8 miles / 4.5 km long, Washington.org, it. And library of theater arts we just may have to get around bookstores in the world, Libreria Acqua.! Announced daily by an Orator article was adapted from his new book, the! Explore by foot, one of my best memories small glass of local wine Travlinmad. Good spot and plant yourself for a stop at one of the and. The map good understanding of St Marks on our first night in Venice Italy -- how is. Less-Trodden neighborhoods of Venice in a few days to pay between â¬5 to per.