subject: Off The Beaten Path In Venice [print this page] Venice, Italy is one of the most engaging and gorgeous cities in all of Europe, but it is also one of the more expensive to visit. Budget minded tourists are often shocked to find how expensive things are, even if they realized that cities that rely on tourism cost more to visit and tour.
Situated atop a marshy lagoon off the coast of Italy, this historical city is one of the more wealthy districts in all of Europe, and a visit there takes some planning and foresight just to remain marginally affordable for the bargain minded traveler.
The key to seeing Venice in an affordable way is to stray from the beaten path, and avoid the common tourist traps, such as gondola rides, bustling crowds during the peak season, and poor transportation planning.
There are also several sights to see that receive less attention that the more well known destinations like St. Marks Basilica, and the restaurants along the Piazza San Marco. Following the crowd might find you draining your budget much earlier than you anticipated, so the key is to go against the flow, and not follow the camera-laden package tour crowd.
For instance, you can visit the Doges Palace, but the admission isnt cheap and the crowds are heavy during peak seasons, so why not try something novel like visiting the island cemetery of St. Michele. Situated on the Isola di San Michele, this former prison island is less than five minutes way by waterbus.
Another site is the Naval Historical Museum, which boasts attractions from the maritime history of the Serenissima; the ancient Republic of Venice. Here youll find boat reconstructions and during the ceremony of Ascension Day, you can witness the symbolic marriage of Venice with the sea.
Another interesting site is the Scala Contarini Del Bovolo, a former palace with an astounding winding staircase that rings its exterior.
The Pescheria, or Rialto Fish market is another lively locale, where Fishmongers still hawk their fare to the local restaurants, and cafe chefs. Here, you can find an array of fresh fish, shellfish and other tasty seafood items, which in some cases may be brought back to your Venice hotels where the chef, for a surcharge, will prepare a dish in a style of your choosing.
Every Venice hotel employ well educated and tourist friendly concierges who will be happy to take your budget into account while making suggestions that will keep the euros in your pocket, and keep you off the beaten path.
