A Month In Venice

The history of Venice is quite vast as the city has been around for many years. Founded in 421 C.E. on April 25th or what is known as St. Mark’s day that of course is the icon of the city of Venice. The very reason the city was founded was because of the tribes of barbarians that would come down to sack the various Roman cities. It is out of fear and the preservation of culture that these islands off of the Italian mainland were built upon.

For many years the isolation of Venice kept it from being embroiled into the everyday politics of Italian life. Because of this Venice became a mercantile capital of the region and most likely was responsible for its later influence in world affairs. The city’s wealth came from the surrounding sea, from the salt and fish, that they could trade for what they did not have. From this humble beginning a glorious city was created.

The building of the city invented new and improved methods of construction. Because of each successive wave of invaders brought more and more refugees larger structures were necessary to house all the people. Land reclamation at that time was primitive and needed to be improved. The pilings that many houses of Venice sit upon were placed there over a thousand years ago and have never been replaced by something more substantial. It is this reason that the city of Venice is now sinking and efforts are in place in order to preserve it.

The city did not really become a cohesive whole until later when a sea wall was built to keep away pirates and the various storms. When the Venetians felt safe and isolated then the culture of the city and the later Empire started to come to fruition. So we can see that the start of Venice was really to keep home and hearth safe from barbarian hordes that were sweeping down into the Roman Empire. From fear arose a great city and Empire that would rival many other in the area. This city has been a haven for many others as well as this is a center for art and music as the wealth of the city started to be distributed to these craftsmen.

Harry’s Bar is perhaps one of the most famous of Venice’s landmarks and it is certainly one of Italy’s most famous restaurants in the country. The service at this cultural institution is outstanding and the food unparalleled in its quality. What has made this bar so famous was the generous mention of Ernest Hemingway in his book Across the River and into the Trees and following this many other notable people have walked through the doors of this establishment. If you are going to eat out in Venice and choose to splurge a bit I would definitely drop by this place as it is well worth it. Of course I would be sure to check to see if you need reservations beforehand as you will most likely will need to do so.

This is the bar where the famous Bellini drink was first made. Also the drink the Montgomery cocktail was also invented here as well. World renowned for its cooking the bar has its own cookbooks that you can pick up in any well stocked book store or Amazon.com.

This one bar has spawned an entire line of restaurants all throughout the world. From this bar the bars Harry Cipriani, Cipriani 42nd Street and Manhattan’s famous Rainbow Room as well as a catering company. As well the Cipriani’s, the owners of Harry’s Bar, have a line of their own olive oils, cook books and kitchenware.

Now it has been said that this is an over-hyped landmark with well overpriced food but you can say that about any restaurant in your own town. If you do choose to visit this bar I w ould be sure to sit upstairs as the view is far better and you look upon the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute and I am sure that this view is not easily matched anywhere else. Besides do you not want to go to a place visited by some of the most famous people who have walked this Earth?

Finding cheap accommodations in Venice Italy is not an easy task. Let’s face it the words budget and Venice Italy are not usually mixed in the same sentence together. It is certainly not what the town is best known for that is for sure.

However the following posts should help out the average reader in saving some money on their stay in Venice. It should certainly help out those students looking for budget accommodations as well.

Budget Hotels in Castello

Budget Hotels in San Croce

Budget Hotels in Cannaregio

Budget Hotels in San Marco

Budget Hotels in Dorsoduro

For those that want a longer stay be sure to visit my post on student apartments in Venice Italy. It is certainly worth a look in my opinion.

The sesetri of San Croce is best know because it is just across from the bridge of the Santa Lucia station where many of the tourists of Italy enter the city. This part of town is known by its many older buildings that date to the medieval times. So needless to say that this part of town definitely has its charms. One of the benefits of staying in this district is that there are many small restaurants or trattoria’s all throughout so you know you will find a good place to eat somewhere. Because of the high amount of traffic that this district receives finding budget accommodations can be difficult.

Below is a listing of some of the best budget hotels of the San Croce region in Venice.

Al Ponte Mocenigo
Santa Croce 2063 - Fondamenta de rimpeto a Ca’
Having only 10 rooms does not mean this hotel lacks anything. Quite the opposite as you will find a wealth of antique furnishings and well appointed rooms throughout.
Phone: +39 04 1524 4797
http://www.alpontemocenigo.com

Casa Peron
Santa Croce 85 - Salizzada San Pantalon
A small hotel of only 11 rooms this place is filled with artwork throughout and a very friendly staff as this is a family run establishment.
Phone: +39 04 171 1038
http://www.casaperon.com/

Falier
Santa Croce 130 - Salizzada San Pantalon
Having 19 rooms this is another hotel to check out. Not a hotel lacking anything this place is sure to please even the most picky budget traveler.
Phone: +39 041 710 882
http://www.hotelfalier.com/

Hotel Dalla Mora
Santa Croce 42, Salizzada S. Pantalon
Another small but well appointed and well run hotel of only 14 rooms.
Phone: +39 04 171 0703
http://www.hoteldallamora.it/

Locanda Salieri
Santa Croce 160 - Fondamenta Minotto
A tiny hotel of 11 rooms this place is great if you want to have a balcony view of the Canal del Gaffaro which is sure to please some.
Phone: +39 04 171 0035
http://www.hotelsalieri.com

The Cannaregio sesteri is one of the most convenient in the whole of Venice. This has its benefits and its drawbacks. Since this is such a convenient place to sleep many of the hotels are easily forgettable as they receive much tourist traffic. Also I would like to point out that many of the restaurants here cater to tourists so they are a bit overprices and mediocre at best. I am not saying you will not find some memorable gems in the mix but I do believe that they will be hard to find if you do not know any locals to show you the way. If you are coming by train then this is one region you should really check out as this sesteri is bordered by both the train station and the famous Rialto bridge on the other end.

Below is a listing of some of the more notable places to stay in this region of Venice.

Al Vagon
Cannaregio 5619 - Campiello Riccardo Selvatico
This hotel is central to the sesteri so it is very convient for any traveler who wishes to see the sights that are located within walking distance.
Double Rates: 60 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5626

Alloggi Gerotto Calderon
Cannaregio 283, Campo S. Geremia
This is a family owned and operated hotel consisting of only 12 rooms. They have been in
operations for some time and with the reputation that they maintain I would say they will continue to have a steady stream of customers.
Double Rates: 50 to 85 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5562
http://www.casagerottocalderan.com

Ariel Silva
Cannaregio 1391/A - Calle della Masena
This hotel is just off the main street of the sesteri and it is within walking distance of just about everything you might want to see in the city.
Double Rates: 60 to 105 Euros
Phone: +39 041 714 773
http://www.arielsilva.it/

Bernardi Semenzato
Cannaregio 4366 - Calle de l’Oca
This hotel is just steps away from the famous San Marco Plaza!
Double Rates: 50 to 95 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7257

Guerrini
Cannaregio 265 - Calle de le Procuratie
This is a pretty much of a standard hotel with little in the way of character as this hotel prides itself on its professionalism.
Double Rates: 55 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 333

Hotel Arcadia
Cannaregio 1333D, Rio Tera San Leonardo
This hotels coms across as your standard fare from the outset but look deeper and you will see the wealth that is inside this restored 17th century building. Definitely worth a look.
Double Rates: 70 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 71 7355

Hotel Minerva e Nettuno
Cannaregio 230, Tera Lista di Spagna
Perhaps a bit overpriced hotel to stay in during high season!
Double Rates: 45 to 115 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 5968
http://www.minervaenettuno.it

Hotel Rossi
Calle delle Procuratie 262
Double Rates: 64 to 92 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 164
http://www.hotelrossi.ve.it/

Hotel San Geremia
Cannaregio 290, Campo San Geremia
This hotel has some amazing views but that is just about all.
Double Rates: 50 to 120 Euros
Phone: + 3904 1716245
http://www.sangeremiahotel.com

Hotel Santa Lucia
Cannaregio 358, Calle della Misericordia
A very clean and friendly hotel run by mother and son. Marble floors throughout!
Double Rates: 70 to 110 Euros
Phone: +39 041 715 180
http://www.hotelslucia.com

Ostello Santa Fosca
Cannaregio 2372, Fondamenta Daniele Canal
Serving as a student housing unit this is more of a youth hostel.
Double Rates: 44 Euros
Phone: + 39 04 171 5775
http://www.santafosca.com

Residenza Ca’ Riccio
Cannareggio 5394/a (Campo dei Miracoli)
A charming six room hotel that is located near the Rialto bridge.
Double Rates: 90 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 2334
http://www.cariccio.com/

Villa Rosa
Cannaregio 389 - Calle Misericordia
Very close to the train station this hotel would be best served as a place to stay before you leave the city by train.
Double Rates: 70 to 130 Euros
Phone: +39 04 171 6569
http://www.villarosahotel.com/