A Month In Venice

The Dorsoduro sesteri is by far the largest of the districts in Venice, Italy. Originally this district was the home to starving artists and musicians. However over time this is no longer the case as this is one very expensive district to live or visit. This sesteri is located across the Accademia bridge from San Marco so it is well know for its art museums such as the Accademia Art Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum as well as many other galleries. You will not be without a place to eat here either as this is a great place to use the waterfront cafes that are prevalent here. Also if you like the nightlife you can find it clustered near Campo Santa Margherita which is located here. Perhaps these are some for the reasons for the lack of inexpensive hotel accommodations. However there are some gems to be found.

Below is a listing of some of the better finds if you are on a budget in Venice.

Albergo Hotel Antico Capon
Campo Santa Margherita 3004/B
This hotel is ideal for the bar hopping types that need a place to crash after a heavy night of partying. Located in the heart of the nightclub scene on Campo Santa Margherita. Very reasonably priced considering the location.
Double Rates: 40 to 95 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5292
http://www.anticocapon.com/

Antica Locanda Montin
Dorsoduro 1147 - Fondamenta di Borgo
For the true art lover this hotel is just minutes from the Accademia Art Museum and the Guggeheim Art Museum.
Double Rates: 80 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7151

Ca’ Rezzonico Apartment Venice
Dorsoduro 2813 - Fondamenta Gherardini
This is a charming hotel consisting of only 6 rooms. Built and maintained in the style of 16th century Venice this hotel does not disappoint.
Double Rates: 80 to 150 Euros
Phone: +39 041 277 0653
http://www.casarezzonico.it/

Hotel Galleria
Dorsoduro 878 A
For those that want to get away from it all this is the hotel for you. Not a television in sight and furnishing that bring you back to the classic Venice style of living.
Double Rates: 110 to 165 Euros
Phone: +39 041 523 2489
http://www.hotelgalleria.it

Hotel Messner
Dorsoduro 216, Madonna della Salute
Located in the shadow of the Madonna della Salute church this hotel is ideal for the very religious.
Double Rates: 120 to 160 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 7443

La Calcina
Dorsoduro 780 - Fondamenta de le Zattere ai Gesuati
For those that like to splurge now and then this hotel might just be for you. Since this hotel is so close to the Accademia galleries and other key locations you can really save some steps by reserving a room here.
Double Rates: 99 to 201 Euros
Phone: +3904 115206466
http://www.lacalcina.com/

Locanda Ca Foscari
Calle della Frescada 3887/B
This hotel is very convienient if you are coming from the train station as it is located only 10 minutes away. This hotel is on the border of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro so plan accordingly.
Double Rates: 65 to 98 Euros
Phone: +39 041 710 401
http://www.locandacafoscari.com/

The Castello sesteri of Venice is the largest of the regions in Venice. Being divided into two parts Castello and Castello Alto it offers a variety of places to stay that should fit within a reasonable budget. Needless to say that staying in Venice is perhaps one of the most expensive hotels in the whole of Italy if not Europe itself. This region is mostly occupied by residents in the area so the level of nightlife might be less then what you can expect in other regions.

However since this region borders San Marco it should be ideal for those that want to see this city but not break the bank. Below is a list of some of the budget accommodations you might find in this wonderful sesteri.

Al Prava
Ruga Giuffa 4838/40, Campo Santa Maria Formosa
This hotel is quite nice with marble floors throughout and a very friendly family and staff are there to serve your needs.
Double Rates: 110 to 210 Euros
Phone: +39 041 528 5174
http://www.hotelalpiave.com/

Ca Del Dose
Castello 3801 (Riva degli Schiavoni)
This is a small cozy hotel that is better suited for an outdoorsy type of personality. Consisting of only five rooms this is perhaps one of the most intimate of hotels that you can
stay in this sesteri. Note that the bathrooms are very small in this hotel.
Double Rates: 70 to 125 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1520 9887
http://www.cadeldose.com

Casa Linger
Castello 3541, Salizzada Sant Antonin
Definitely for the active traveler or hearty student this is a no frills hotel that comes at a
reasonable rate considering.
Double Rates: 60 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1528 5920
http://www.hotelcasalinger.com/

Casa per Ferie Santa Maria della Pieta
3701 Castello, Calle della Pieta
This hotels seems to cater to the University student as the rooms are outfitted as dorm rooms. There are no televisions or pictures but there is plenty of light and room to move about.
Double Rates: 96 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1244 3639
http://www.pietavenezia.org/

Casa Querini
Castello 4388 - Campo San Zaninovo
A very small hotel with only 11 rooms this is quite an experience. Notably half of these 11 rooms look out onto the Santo Giovanni Novo square. This hotels boasts that it is only 2 minutes from San Marco square so it is definitely worth looking into.
Double Rates: 93 to 197 Euros
Phone: +39 041 241 1294

Doni
Calle del Vin 4656 San Zaccaria – Castello
Consisting of only 13 rooms this hotels is replete with narrow hallways and horrible creaky
floors. I would describe this hotel as an acquired taste.
Double Rates: 60 to 120 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 4267
http://www.albergodoni.it

La Residenza
Castello 3608 - Campo Bandiera e Moro
This is a plush 17th century palazzo that has gone through a restoration process. For those that like this type of architecture I would definitely check this hotel out.
Double Rates: 80 to 160 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1528 5315
http://www.venicelaresidenza.com/

Locanda Silva
Castello 4423 - Fondamenta del Remedio
This is a friendly and hospitable 23 room hotel that is very near to Santa Maria Formosa.
Double Rates: 60 to 115 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1522 7643
http://www.locandasilva.it

Locanda SS. Giovanni e Paolo
Castello 6401 - Calle de l’Ospeaeto
This is a traditional six room hotel run as though in a 18th century palazzo.
Double Rates: 80 to 170 Euros
Phone: +39 041 522 2767

Rio
Castello 4356 - Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo
This is a small 28 room hotel that has recently gone through a makeover. Larger than some of the other hotels on this list but still with a friendly staff.
Double Rates: 60 to 180 Euros
Phone: +39 04 1 523 4810
http://www.aciugheta-hotelrio.it

Doges Palace in Venice or Palazzo Ducale di Venezia in Italian is the large palace that is the symbol of the city. The designer of the palace is not really known however we do know that the construction of the palace took place between the years 1309-1424. The name of the palace comes from the fact that this was the residence of the Doge or magistrate of the city. Since this was the magistrate’s primary residence much of the governing of the city and later of the region took place here.

The first floor of the Ducale di Venezia contained offices for lawyers, the offices for the Navy and the Chancellery. The second floor contained the Grand Council chamber, the ballot chamber and the apartments for the Doge. The third floor on the other hand contains many rooms where many dignitaries were entertained so there is many works of art on this floor as the need to impress was well and alive back then. Of note this building contained a room dedicated to the people so that they could place a complaint to the government, this room was called the Bussola chamber.

This building has seen much of the history of the world and was the residency for many years of magistrates. Of significance is that this building contained a room for the council of Ten. The council of ten was a governing body who ruled secretly for the Republic of Venice from 1310 to 1797. Although the council of ten did meet secretly the decisions made by them were generally considered fair and effective.

This is a significant example of the transition between gothic and renaissance architecture of that time. In fact this building incorporates all three architectural styles of gothic, Moorish and renaissance so this fact alone makes this a noteworthy sight to see while in Venice.

Previously in this blog I have briefly discussed one of the best hotels to stay in Venice, Italy. Of course this option is really only for the truly wealthy or those that occasionally like to splurge on themselves. I do realize that this hotel and many other hotels are well out of the range for some of my readers. Further there are those that like to live the backpacking lifestyle of traveling on a budget and so they do not cause a lot of environmental impact. I must applaud anyone who has those goals in mind as they are far better then me, even though I am a bit of a environmentalist.

There are some well kept and well run campgrounds in the city of Venice. Many have all the features of a high priced hotel which includes laundry services, free wifi services for those that want to stay connected to home base, continental breakfasts and restaurants on site.

These are just some of the places I found you could stay while in Venice and on a budget. Since most of these places offer mobile homes and bungalows you do not have to sleep in a tent or under the stars if you do not wish it.

Camping Della Serenissima
This campground is only 20 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. Offering many services such as a pizzeria, restaurant, market, satellite television and even token washing machines. Obviously this is a comprehensive campground that does not skimp on the luxuries.

Camping Fusina
This campground is even closer in that it is only 15 minutes away from the center of town by public transport. This site boasts of having the first Internet café in a campground in the whole of Venice. So obviously then it would be logical to assume that you can keep up to date and stay in touch here. Camping Fusina is one of the friendliest campgrounds offering such amenities as beach parties, sumo wrestling and a 24 hour laundry.

Camping Jolly delle Querce
This campground is right off the highway and very near the rail station as well. Since this campground is only 15 minutes away from the center of town as well I think it is logical to assume that it is near the other campgrounds. While not as luxurious as the previously mentioned campgrounds. Camping Jolly delle Querce does seem to be clean and well maintained.

Plus Alba D’Oro Camping
Since this campground boasts of the best budget accommodations in Venice I am assuming that you get what you pay for. Basically for 10.00 Euros you can stay in a 2 persons house tent. This campground also does offer internet café, pizzeria, take away, luggage storage and late night Gondola bar.

These campgrounds are for the hearty souls that wish to live a little and stay in a more rough environment then what the older folks are used to. Since many of these places cater to the backpacker and college student it is pretty obvious who you are going to be associating with if you choose to stay at any of these places.

You do not have to skimp on some services if you choose to “rough it” a bit while in Europe. Clearly these campgrounds are designed to keep their guests happy and some seem to go out of their way to make sure you feel at home. Definitely worth checking out if you are on a budget.

When is the best time to visit Venice, Italy? Well that is kind of dependent upon when you can make the time to go and your budget. For true Venetophilles there is no inappropriate time as the city is always rich in culture and events that are sure to delight everyone. In my opinion if you do not like Venice, Italy then there is something seriously wrong with you.

Venice’s peak tourist season is from June through September. Now this usually means higher priced hotels and plenty of crowds. For some this is okay as some are used to throngs of tourists when ever they visit any place.

To avoid the high crowds of the peak tourist season the best time to go is from November through March however as Carnevale occurs in February for ten days avoiding the city then might also be a good idea.

I could go to Venice tomorrow if I had the opportunity to do so. For me there is no time that I would not want to visit. I am just simply enthralled by this wonderful city.