Venice travel guide

What blogs and Internet magazines should one read in and about Venice?

http://www.comune.venezia.it (inkl. Hochwasser-Anzeige)

In which movies, books, and songs does the city of Venice play a major role?

Movies:
Lasse Hallström: Casanova (2005)
Steven Spielberg: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck: The Tourist (2010)
Martin Campbell: James Bond - Casino Royale (2006)
Silvio Soldini: Bread and Tulips (2000)
Shawn Levy: Just Married (2003)

F. Gary Gray: The Italian Job (2003)

Books:
Novels by Donna Leon
Tiziano Scarpa: Venice is a Fish
Thomas Mann: Death in Venice
Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

What are the 3 most famous and the 3 most exciting events in the city?

The 3 most famous events:

- Carnival (February/March): http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/
- Biennale (every 2 years, September): http://www.labiennale.org/

- Vogalonga (May): rowing marathon, http://www.vogalonga.it/

The 3 most exciting events:

- Festa del Redentore (July): festival, http://www.redentorevenezia.it
- Su e zo per i ponti (Up and Down the Bridges) (March/April): Race through Venedig, http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_e_zo_per_i_ponti
- Regata storica (September): Regatta on the Canale Grande, http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regata_Storica_%28Venezia%29

What free offers should I not overlook?

Park near Giardini / Santa Elena, looking at the Palazzo Contarini del Bolvolo at the Campo Manin from the outside, getting lost in the alleys of Venice, observing the gondola workshop while they make repairs (Squero San Trovaso), photographing the most crooked door in Venice (San Polo 963A), finding the lowest house passageway in Venice (Sottoportico Zurlin)

What places give me that special Venice feeling the fastest?

A ride on the Vaporetto (1/2 lines) through the Canal Grande or hanging out at the Piazza San Marco (even better: the city's less touristy piazzas)

Where and how can I get to know approachable native citizens?

In the small bars and kiosks everywhere.

How much is...

...a snack?

3-5 €

...a subway/bus/streetcar ticket or taxi ride?

6.50 € for an hour on the Vaporetto

...a coffee / a beer / a pack of cigarettes?

2 € / 4 € / 4 €

...a museum ticket?

4- 10 € / 18 € for the Museum Pass

...a fun night in pubs and clubs?

Venice has no pubs or clubs! But it does have Aperol Spritz, Cicchetti, and open-air events.

I still have some money left over, what should I buy in Venice as a souvenir?

- T-shirt or a bag from Piazza Santo Stefano Chiosco with flood theme
- Book or postcard from the Libreria Calle del Tintor (at Calle Longa, near Santa Maria Formosa)
- Carnival Mask from L'artista della Barbaria (Castello 6360/a)

What makes this city distinctive, unique, or nerve-wracking - and what are the reasons for it?

Venice is a city without cars and bikes - and this alone is quite unusual! The city is actually IN water, indicated by the many canals, of course, and also by the Acqua Alta (high water), then the water level regularly overflows and floods the city temporarily.

Venice can be quite annoying and claustrophobic, since many tourists clog the narrow streets. For every resident, 20 tourists visit every year.

Where and how can I get a good Internet connection?

Many hotels have Wifi.

What should I avoid in Venice under all circumstances?

- Don't buy fake bags/belts
- Don't buy food or drink near major sites; just a couple of streets away it will be much cheaper.

Is there anything else that people should know about Venice?

After you have seen the familiar top attractions (Piazza San Marco, Rialto, Canal Grande), make sure to explore the smaller, less frequented streets, there is always something to discover!