The airport (Marco Polo) is located on the mainland. The quickest and most comfortable way to arrive in Venice is by  water taxi; unfortunately, this mode of transportation is quite expensive. An alternative and considerably cheaper option is the waterbus service run by Alilaguna srl.  If my wallet can take the shock, I have opted on occasion to take a water taxi. One reason, it’s a great way to arrive in this magical city and the other reaosn, you get dropped off at your hotel or at least within walkinmg distance. And after a particularly long flight is a godsend. Also the waterbus does tak a take longer because there are more than one stop.  Something to consider when deciding whether or not to take a watertaxi.

Getting around Venice is not only easy, but enjoyable as well because it’s one of the most beautiful and sublime cities in the world. You can wonder around for hours in totaly bliss. There are no cars or bicycles to worry about or to draw your attention away from the splendid architecture. In case you need to get across the Grand Canal and are  not near one of the bridges that span the canal or you are in a hurry than there are the traghetti (six locations). Basically a gondola with none of the fancy accouterments (usually you stand up) that ferry people across from one side to the other side. For longer distances or to get to the other islands, such as Murano or Burano there are waterbuses called vaperatto. For questions regarding  the public transportation system go to ACTV (there is an English version). A good way to see the facades of the fabulous palazzos that line the Grand Canal is a trip on the Vaporetto line number 82 starting at the train station.

The Venice Card Orange is a great value. Available in 1 day, 3 day and 7 day passes. The card allows you unlimited travel on the public transportation system and includes admission to the following museums:

• Palazzo Ducale
• Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico
• Biblioteca Marciana
• Ca’ Rezzonico
• Casa Goldoni
• Palazzo Mocenigo
• Museo del Merletto (the Lace museum on Burano)
• Museo del Vetro (the glass museum on Murano

For more information click here.

La Biennale di Venice (The Venice Biennale). This link will take you to their wbesite (English version).

The Venice Film Festival - this year marks the 64nd year and will be held from August 29th - September 8th. (English version)

The Venetian Carnival is a fun and exciting time to be in Venice. Everyone should experience this at least once in their life. This site has information on the next carnival in 2008 and past carnivals. 

Atelier Flavia - an excellent place to go for a costume for the festivities. The website is in Italian.

Avventure Bellissime - offers guided walking tours of Venice.

Two worthwhile organizations (one American, one British) who raise money to help protect Venice for future generations are SaveVenice and Venice in Peril. To learn more and to find out how you can help to protect and preserve Venice check out their respective web sites.

Are you in the market for a gondola? Or would you just like to know a little but more about these intriguing boats? Well, in either case you might want to take a look at Squero Canaletto. You will be able to actually purchase a gondola or just learn about the history and construction of this fascinating watercraft.

Speaking of gondolas, a trip to Venice would not be complete without a trip down the canals in one. Granted it is a little pricey, but the experience is worth the expense. There are a number of places throughout the city where you can hire a gondola, just look for the word “stazio”. The biggest stands are located around St. Marks Square including the Bascino Orseolo (located behind the square), the Calle Vallaresso (west of St. Marks Square), and the Molo (directly in front of the Doge’s Palace). For the official rates pick up a copy of Un Ospite a Venezia (A Guest in Venice). Be sure to finalize the cost before going. This holds true with the water taxis too.   

VeniceWord International - sends out a newsletter via e-mail that will keep you up-to-date with news stories and what’s happening such as exhibits, concerts, theater and so on.

La Ricerca, Ponte delle Ostreghe, San Marco Tele: 041 5228250. Nice selection of photo albums covered in marbled paper.

Mistero Buffo, S. Basegio, Dorsoduro Tele: 41 523 8719. Off the Fondamenta Zattere. Wonderful little mask shop near the Church of San. Sebastino

Bressanelo Artstudio, Calle Lunga Tele: 41 724 1080. Off the Campo San BarnabaI purchase a beautiful print of a photograph from here as a souvenir of my trip.

Ca’ Macana, Calle della Botteghe, Dorsoduro 3172 has an excellent selection and one of the largest stocks of fantasy and commedia dell’arte masks in Venice. Another good mask shop in terms of variety both modern and traditional and high quality in the Dorsoduro is Mondonovo, Rio Tera Canal (off Campo Santa Margherita). Of course you will find masks shops all over Venice. I personally like these two shops and I also like to hunt around for little “mom and pop” shops that sell and make the masks themselves. I like to try and support the little guy as well as the larger shops as long as the masks are made in Venice by Venetian craftman.