Lido di Jesolo
A nearby beach resort. For a relaxing day on the beach and the usual beach-holiday attractions - restaurants and bars, mini-golf etc.
Verona
The beautiful medieval centre of Verona and the Roman Arena are well worth a visit. But the main attraction for visitors of "fair Verona" is the so-called 'Juliet's balcony', where Shakespeare's Juliet is said to have lived. Rubbing the bronze statue of Juliet outside the balcony is said to bring good luck.
Padua
The ancient university city of Padua has a wealth of medieval art, most notably Giotto's fresco in the Scrovegni Chapel.
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge has always been a busy area of trading and this is where you'll find the city's main fruit and vegetable markets. Nowadays, it is more of a tourist attraction than anything else, due to its prime location. There are fabulous views from the bridge and plenty of opportunities to take photographs and buy souvenirs to take home.
Plazzo Grassi
Palazzo Grassi was built between 1748 and 1772 for the wealthy Grassi family and was one of the last palaces to be erected before the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. Today, it is an art gallery which houses temporary art exhibitions. For more information on the exhibitions planned during your time in Venice, please contact us.
Lace Museum
A chance to see some rare and precious pieces of lace and to learn about the development of the lacemaking industry in Venice. You can also see lace-makers at work and see how they have conserved the Venetian tradition and brought it into the 21st century.
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Doge's Palace played a very important part in the Venetian Republic, as it was home to the Doge, the duke, and government departments. It was even used as the Venetian Republic's prison. The building itself is an impressive and rare example of Venetian Gothic architecture. Famous paintings such as Tintoretto's Paradiso, one of the largest oil paintings in the world, are housed in the grandiose rooms of the palace. The well-known Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), where prisoners' sighs were said to be heard, links the New Prisons to the Old Prisons, where the overflow of prisoners were kept.
The Campanile of St Mark's
The 10th century bell tower outside St Mark's Basilica is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Venice. However, in July 1902, it collapsed without warning and had to be rebuilt over the next ten years. Take the lift to the top of the tower to enjoy the spectacular views of the lagoon.
Welsh Artists at the Biennale
The Wales Pavilion at the Biennale provides the artists representing Wales with an outstanding international platform. Artists who have exhibited over the years include Richard Deacon, Merlin James, Heather and Ivan Morison and John Cale. For more information, visit the Wales at the Venice Biennale of Art website
The Venice Biennale of Art
The Venice Biennale is widely regarded as the most important event in the contemporary art calendar With artists from over 70 nations participating, the huge festival of art, music and drama creates an inspiring, multicultural, multimedia experience. The Biennale of Art is on every other year from June to November. It runs alternately with the Architecture Biennale and there are also separate Biennale of music, dance and film. Please contact us to find out about the full list of exhibitions and shows.
St Mark's Basilica
The Basilica has always been a reflection of Venice's wealth and greatness and has been decorated with works of art from faraway lands over the centuries. It is most famous for the spectacular golden mosaics above the entrance and in the interior domes. Unfortunately, not all parts of the cathedral are open to the public due to the sheer amount of visitors that come here every year. The visit of the interior takes about ten minutes and no bags are allowed in the building. These must be left at the nearby left luggage lockers. A small entrance fee must be paid by individuals on entering the basilica.
St. Mark's Square
Napoleon referred to St Mark's Square as the "finest drawing room in Europe" and when you visit the bustling square full of such architectural treasures, you can easily see why. Particular attention should be paid to the impressive clock tower. There are always plenty of visitors in the square, absorbing the atmosphere and admiring the sights. But the vastness of the square means that it rarely feels overcrowded. Beware of sitting down for coffee at one of the many attractive bars with wonderful views of the canal - prices are sky high! The square is located in one of the lowest parts of the city and is therefore one of the first areas to be covered by water if there is acqua alta, when the high volume of water in the canal means it overflows onto the streets.
The glass museum, Murano Island
The glassmaking industry has always been important for Venice's economy and glassmakers in the 14th century were granted special privileges such as the right to wear swords and immunity from prosecution. They were the only people in the world who knew how to make mirrors and they had developed unique new techniques such as the creation of multicoloured glass. Murano glass is widely available in Venice and the surrounding areas, and whilst wandering the small island of Murano you are bound to come across a factory where you can see how the glass is produced today. For those wishing to learn more about the development of the industry, this museum houses the largest collection of Murano glass in the world, with pieces from the 15th century to the present day on show.
Ca' Pesaro - International Gallery of Modern Art
This museum houses important nineteenth- and twentieth-century collections of paintings and sculptures, including works by Klimt, Chagall and remarkable works by artists such as Kandinsky, Klee, Matisse and Moore. There is also an impressive selection of works by Italian artists and an exhibition of graphic art.
Peggy Guggenheim Museum
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the most important museum in Italy for European and American art of the first half of the 20th century.