Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace was one of my favorite parts of my trip to Venice. Ducale or…read moreDoge means Duke. The Duke was the highest governing position in Venice, and this is once where they lived. While strolling St. Mark's Square I already admired the beauty of the building. The building has gothic architecture with influences from the Byzantine times, Islamic and European Medieval styles. My camera does not do its' beauty justice. The tickets to Doge's Palace are time entry tickets, but they didn't seem to be too strict compared to other museums. Tickets are 37€/person. There is a baggage check in area for large items like a backpack, at no cost. It's nice because my boyfriend and I left our stuff there, even things that weren't required to be checked so we walked around more lightly. I only kept my phone for photos. One of the first things I remember seeing is the snitch mailbox. In the olden days the citizens were encouraged to rat on one another and they can leave anonymous tips for the government here. Unfortunately as a result many were wrongfully imprisoned... and there is a full on prison in the later ends of the tour. It was really scary to walk through. On a more positive note, there had the most stunning golden staircase and one of the most incredible largest paintings in the world, the Il Parasido by Jacopo Tintoretto. A must visit when visiting Venice!

Situated between the Basilica di San Marco and the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, the Palazzo…read moreDucale, or Doge's (Duke's) Palace, is arguably the jewel in the crown. It was the seat of the government of Venice for centuries and hosted various government institutions, including the Great Council and the Council of Ten, which controlled the affairs of the republic. Its façade featured intricate marble reliefs, elegant arches, and decorative elements that showcased the beauty of the place where my partner, our friend, family members, and I had gotten self-guided tickets without a reservation last Saturday and moved quickly. One entered the palazzo through a door next to the Lagoon into an enormous courtyard and the Arco Foscari. Here we saw the mix of styles that made up the palace, as successive doges tried to make the palace ever more magnificent. Inside, one can explore a series of opulent rooms, grand halls, and ornate chambers adorned with exquisite artworks, stunning frescoes, and elaborate ceilings. Notable rooms include the Doge's apartments, the Hall of the Great Council, and the Chamber of the Council of Ten. Plan a minimum of two hours to get a good bit of history, which is a living echo of a world that helped shape Europe. We can recommend.

Beautiful interior! Didn't get to see a show here but came just to take a look inside. Didn't need…read moreto purchase tickets in advance there wasn't a line. There were performers practicing which was cool to see!

Beautiful theater. It is definitely worth going on a tour of the theater. You won't be…read moredisappointed. It is an amazing building.

This Basilica is small but beautiful. Make sure to follow the dress code, knees and shoulders…read morecovered. There are additional features that you need to get separate tickets for (or get a bundle) so make sure to do your research beforehand and and book appropriately. It will be a short visit given the venue isn't large but it's worth it when you're in Venice!

Basilica di San Marco or the St. Mark's Basilica is dedicated to St. Mark, the patron saint of the…read morecity and a house for his relics. This is without a doubt the most important religious site in the city of Venice. At the time of our visit, there was construction on front of the building, but it was still beautiful. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture with Gothic influences. There was so much incredible detail that went into every inch of the building. I did not get to go inside but the outside was already impressive. A great spot for photos.

Cute little museum that showcases their local hero with his life and work. It's more of an…read moreinteractive museum of replicas of some of his most famous creations. Located in a historic section of Venice. It's in need of some updates but over all it's cute.

Wonderful museum with so much to see. Would highly recommend on your next trip to Italy.read more

This was probably one of my favorite places to grab a drink based on the quality of the cocktail in…read moreVenice. Near the Rialto Bridge, you'll find a good mix of locals and tourists and an extensive cocktail menu. There's just one guy who runs the joint, but he make a helluva cocktail. I ordered a Mint Julep and he definitely made one of the better mint juleps I've had. It's definitely a sight to watch him at work as he'll put in a solid amount of time and effort into each cocktail. Plenty of people here ordered wine as well. Everything was about 9-10 euro per glass. There is also a selection of cichetta here that looked pretty good. One other perk is that you can drink outside the bar.

Great place to get a glass of wine and listen to live music if in the area! Hidden away in an…read morealley, we found out only because of the music. House white wasn't great but who cares!

Solid, seafood-focused quality food that's a significant cut above the typical Venice tourist slop…read more Decent wine list, although a bit pricey by Italian standards. Charming, casual environment tucked away in a hidden location. Perfect romantic spot. Staff are always very gracious and help navigate the ample menu.

All I can say was wow…read more Absolute favorite restaurant in Venice. Very quaint, intimate and tucked away. The food, service and atmosphere was amazing! Make sure to get the dessert as well. Very rich in flavor, appropriately priced.

On our water bus on the way to Murano from Venice, I did some quick research on glass-blowing…read moredemonstrations. There is no shortage of options but you want to make sure you pick a good one. The Glass Cathedral Santa Chiara stood out to me because it's at the very top of TripAdvisor's list of the top attractions in Murano. I tried to make a reservation online but they don't allow day-of reservations so we tried our luck in person. Luckily, it worked out. It's a short walk from the water bus station. Though I will say it's a bit tough to find because the cathedral is a bit hidden. Once you walk in, you see how beautiful the cathedral is and you already feel like you're in the right place. We arrived at a good time and got tickets for the next show. You can just pay for the demonstration itself or add beverages as add-ons e.g. beer, wine, Aperol spritz, mixed drinks, etc. We added Aperol Spritz which is served in a nice glass (I would expect nothing less in Murano). From there, there is some bench seating and a few tables where you can view the demonstration. The artist performing his craft was an artist in the true sense of the word. He wasn't there to entertain the crowd. He didn't seem friendly. But he loves his craft. And I love that. It was super impressive to see him do his thing and create multiple works of art along the help with his assistant. Murano is known for having the best glass-blowing in the world so you'll see a lot of advanced techniques and you'll get a grasp of the skill needed to create what you can buy at stores or online. It makes you appreciate even more the value of handmade goods. Seeing a glass-blowing demonstration is a must when you're in Murano and this place may very well be the best!

We stopped in and enjoyed the glass blowing demonstration. Very affordable entry fee and our kids…read more(4 and 6 years old) entry was free. The staff were friendly and our kids enjoyed themselves!

Normally not a museum guy, but I completely enjoyed this one. The audioguide worked perfectly and…read moreallowed me the time to follow the paintings and see things I would not have seen on my own. This is definitely worth your time. So glad we did this.

It's overwhelming. Give yourself time to view, recognize and feel this art environment. The…read morepaintings, woodwork, wood sculptures, tile work etc. The restoration video is educational about the precise process of bring the color back to the original form

So this is perfect after a long day in the sun and walking around. I bought our tickets the day…read moreof. As I was walking around, I saw the same company at another location in the heart a Venice. I also saw, but looks like other companies doing the same thing. The show is short, the ticket is affordable. The worst part of the show is how squeaky the chairs are. But it's absolutely incredible to sit and listen to this timeless music in a timeless place. I lost myself in the music while looking at these statues. I felt like I went back in time and it was wonderful. My only complaint, other than the squeaky chairs is that the entire group is made up of men. Can we dismantle the patriarchy already? There were some really cute musicians. They were so passionate and it was beautiful to watch the symmetry of their bows dancing in unison. There was a cute little mini, Italian, Chris Hemsworth, on the cello. I was like hey!!! I loved this!! a general tip for traveling, and Eli is bringing a hand fan.

Fine musical group in a beautiful setting…read more There are lots of Vivaldi shows in Venice, I enjoyed this one and hear it's one of the best