Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.I will never forget experiencing Venice for the first time. It feels like you are transported to another time - the art, music, food and pure romance in the air is like no other place.

Venice is Ranked...

• #3in Best Honeymoon Destinations
• #4in Best Honeymoon Destinations in Europe
• #5in Best Romantic European Getaways
• #15in Best Places to Visit in Europe

Venice is enchanting. Yes, that may be cliché to say, but once you see the "City of Water" for yourself, Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot). You might hear the faintest hint of a serenading violin, or is that your imagination? Romantic gondolas carrying smitten couples coast along the web of waterways. On land, narrow passageways twist past Venezia's Old World storefronts and residences and over bridges. You should note that maps are useless here, and getting lost is the norm -- we suggest embracing the disorientation.

you'll surely agree. Step from the Santa Lucia train station, and you'll find the breathtaking Grand Canal sprawling before you. Water taxis bob along, drifting underneath the This canal-strewn city's main draw is its magical atmosphere, but you'll also find quite a few diversions too: The tour guides at Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace give some great historical insight; the Gallerie dell'Accademia hangs works by Titian, Veronese and other famed Venetians; and the Teatro La Fenice puts on some world-renowned operas. You can also travel to nearby islands like Lido for the beach, Murano for the well-known glass and Burano for its lace.

How To Save Money in Venice

• Stick to walkingYou can enjoy the Venetian ambience by walking rather than gondola riding, and you'll save quite a few euros too.
• Stick to the Internet cafésVenice hotels tend to charge high prices to use the web; visit the Internet cafés instead.
• Stick to the busTake an ATVO bus (rather than a water taxi) from VCE Airport into Venice proper to save about €100 EUR.

Venice Culture & Customs

Unlike Rome, Venice's economy is largely dependent on its very strong tourism industry. So, keep in mind that you'll likely be sharing your Venice vacation with loads of other tourists.

To Italians, everything from a person's dress to his or her actions and manners should be beautiful, or bella figura. First impressions are especially lasting for Italians, who, while warm and helpful, do hold outward appearances in very high regard. Dressing well will sometimes even be rewarded by better and more prompt service.

Bella figura does not stop with physical presentation as it extends into a person's manners and conduct. Avoid being obnoxiously loud or ostentatious, as this is greatly looked down on as brutta figura. Learning some Italian and attempting to use it will win you points with Italians, who are generally patient and happy to help you learn more. In any kind of store or restaurant, it's appropriate to greet and say goodbye to employees -- even if you do not buy anything -- with abuongiorno and arrivederci, respectively. Ciao is less formal but equally appreciated. Wherever you go, remember your manners and don't forget your pleases, per favore, and thank yous, grazie.

Residents generally speak Italian with a Venetian dialect, which can be unrecognizable -- even to native Italian speakers. Ca, a shortened form of the word "casa," is used for many private residences and palaces. A street or calle in Venice, (pronounced ka-lay), is different from the "via" or "strada" streets elsewhere in Italy.

Similar to the rest of Italy, many Venetian businesses and tourist attractions take Sundays and at least one other day off, though it fluctuates from place to place. During the week, many also take a midday siesta after lunch hours.

Meals in Italy are expected to last long and it's very common for patrons to linger. So don't be surprised when your server does not bring your bill the minute you finish your meal. In fact, you will not get your bill, il conto, until you ask for it. When you do receive it, note that the tip is already added. For exceptional service though, a couple extra euros is always appreciated. Also keep in mind that water and bread are usually not free at meals. If you ask for water, your server will ask you to specify whether you prefer tap water, acqua di rubinetto; flat water, acqua naturale; or sparkling water, acqua frizzante or acqua con gas. Also be aware that Venetians tend to eat dinner by 7:30, and many Venice restaurants close their kitchens by 10 p.m.

Venice Dining

With such close ties to the water, it should come as no surprise that fish is the main component of Venetian cuisine. Cuttlefish (sepia), clams (vongole), and sea bass (branzino) are popular ingredients, which can be found in many of the area's most well-known dishes, including frutti di mare.Tramezzini is another Venetian specialty: These triangular sandwiches, with a range of fillings from cheese to meats, can be found at cafés throughout the city. Wash it all down with prosecco, a sparkling (and local) white wine.

For the best bang for your buck, try to avoid the San Marco area or any establishment that solicits tourists off the street. Instead, try one of the smaller establishments -- such as traveler-recommended Ristorante La Caravella -- tucked away on one of the many hidden side streets. You could also dine at a bacaro, a smaller wine bar with lower prices, more authentic cuisine and more character.

Keep in Mind... 

• No cars allowedIn Venice proper, there are no taxi cabs, no rental cars -- even emergency response personnel travel by canal.
• Rise with the sunAt least one day, you should wake at 5 a.m. and walk to St. Mark's Piazza for one of the world's best sunrises.
• Coincide with a festivalCarnevale in February or the International Film Festival in August gives energy to this romantic yet languorous destination.

Given its rich past, Venice is home to plenty of historic sites and museums. What there's a shortage of is quality nightlife. Instead, exert your energy touring the city's churches and riding along the canal because only a few low-key bars offer evening entertainment. But if you're a connoisseur of the Italian opera, you might enjoy a night out at the Teatro La Fenice.

If you can't decide how to start a busy day in Venice, experts and experienced travelers recommend hopping on a vaporettoand sightseeing from the waters of the Grand Canal. Recent visitors also recommend signing up for a tour with Context Travel Venice.

• Leave your heels and excess luggage at home, and make sure to toss the map and this guide in your daypack for at least an afternoon, turn left when the signs to the sights point right, and get lost in the back calli (streets) and uncrowded campi (squares) where tourists seldom tread and you will encounter the true, living, breathing, gloriously decaying side of this most serene city." -- Frommer's
• Though quite a few of Venice's bars stay open reasonably late, Venice after dark is pretty tame, and locals tend to head to Mestre and Lido di Jesolo for nightlife." -- Rough Guides

Sightseeing

St. Mark's Basilica is a must-see. Originally built in the first century A.D., the church's entrance is flanked by replicas of bronze horse statues that were originally pillaged from Constantinople. Be sure to dress properly and respectfully to visit, as you won't be allowed to cross the bronze horses with bare shoulders or knees.

Another popular site is the Ca' d' Oro (or Golden House), of the Cannaregio sestiere (neighborhood). The palace's gold-lined interior once served as the residence of the famous ballet dancer Maria Taglioni. And if you're traveling with your significant other, you might want to pause for a kiss (at sunset while in a gondola) underneath the Bridge of Sighs. According to legend, it's supposed to ensure eternal love.

• The monuments that draw the largest crowds in Venice are the Basilica di San Marco -- the mausoleum of the city's patron saint -- and the Palazzo Ducale -- the home of the doge and all the governing councils. … But every parish rewards exploration." -- Rough Guides
• Endless walking, cobblestones, boat hopping, and church-tower climbing demand flats. Venice is also very stroller-hostile; pack the Baby Bjorn." --Concierge.com
• The 'Secret Itineraries in Doge's Palace' worth a visit, take the visitor into the most secret and fascinating rooms in the Palace. It's better to book in advance." --Wikitravel

Museums

Venice is filled with museums that brilliantly display the city's rich artistic past. One of the most well-known is the Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia) in Dorsoduro. The modern art housed in the nearby Peggy Guggenheim Collection is also quite popular, as is the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace).

• Spend your first morning at Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, then wander through the Dorsoduro sestiere, choosing between visits to Ca' Rezzonico, the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Santa Maria della Salute-all A-list attractions. End the afternoon with a gelato-fueled stroll along the Zattere boardwalk." -- Fodor's
• Although many of the city's treasures remain in the buildings for which they were created, a sizeable number have been removed to one or other of Venice's museums. The one that should not be missed is the Accademia, an assembly of Venetian painting that consists of virtually nothing but masterpieces." -- Rough Guides
• There is a museum pass available for some of Venice's best known museums. It does not include all of them. It is already worthwhile buying it if you intend to visit the two big museums at Saint Marc Square: The Doge's Palace and Correr Museum. A more expensive pass also including some famous churches and transportation is available at the tourist information." -- Wikitravel

From the Water

Gondolas may provide the most defining picture of Venice. Back in the day, these slender and shallow boats steered by a single, trained and respected gondolier were the main mode of transportation. Today, they are mainly for visitors and are priced that way. Nevertheless, a gondola ride down the Grand Canal is worth the splurge. The best -- but most expensive -- time to ride is dusk; however, it's also the prettiest and most calm time to see the sights. 

Although gondoliers cluster around San Marco, travel writers predict a better bargain if you take a gondola near San Polo or Rialto. Haggling is welcome, but be sure to agree on price and the length of the ride before getting in the boat.

A vaporetto (water bus) ride is a cheaper way to see the city from the water: The No. 1 line -- probably the most scenic and all-encompassing, as it goes from Piazzale Roma near the train station to San Marco and Lido.

• Make sure you agree to a price before boarding and don't be shy about haggling over the fare: most gondoliers initially ask for twice the going rate. Try to avoid low tide when rancid odors peak and, if possible, ride late afternoon or early evening when the Grand Canal's boat traffic significantly subsides." -- Travel Channel
• Enjoy the watery weirdness of Venice by buying a 12-hour vaporetto ticket. This allows you to take in the 50 palaces, six churches, four bridges and two open-air markets of the Grand Canal. To max out on romance, do it at night." -- Lonely Planet

Islands

After exploring the main city, you might enjoy a vaporetto ride to some of the surrounding islands. The cemetery island of San Michele is especially not to be missed. In the north, the island of Murano is famed for its glassware, and recent visitors say it's worth the trip to see the glassblowers in action. Nearby Burano is known for its lace-making; visit the Museo del Merletto, or Lace Museum, to see the group of Buranese women sewing traditional lace doilies and table linens.

South of Venice is Lido. Although its resorts are best described as overpriced and its beaches categorized as uninspiring, it's also quite busy in the warm summer months.

• The islands lying to the north of Venice -- San Michele, Murano, Burano and Torcello -- are the places to visit when the throng of tourists in the main part of the city becomes too oppressive, and are the source of much of the glass and lace work you see in many shops in the city." -- Rough Guides
• Overrated … The glass ateliers in Murano. While there are still a few real artisans creating one-of-a-kind pieces, too many wannabes have set up commercial factories that turn out ordinary work for hordes of tourists." -- Forbes Traveler

Shopping

The streets of Venice are lined with little stores selling a range of items from high-end designer goods to affordable souvenirs. If you want to get something Venetian to take home, be aware that the city is known for crafting various items such as Carnival masks, glassware and lace. The Venetian islands of Murano and Burano, in particular, are famous for their glassmakers and lace makers, respectively. However, with the rise in the tourism industry, the authenticity and origin of these pieces in stores are sometimes doubtful. Prices for the real stuff can be incredibly steep.

• If you have the good fortune of continuing on to Florence or Rome, shop for clothing, leather goods, and accessories with prudence in Venice, because most items are more expensive here. If, however, you happen on something that strikes you, consider it twice on the spot (not back at your hotel), and then buy it. In this web of alleys, you may never find that shop again." -- Frommer's
• If Fendi, Gucci, and Ferragamo are your shops of choice, head for the area immediately northwest of St. Mark's Square: Calle Larga XXII Marzo and the labyrinth of alleyways known collectively as the Mercerie and the Frezzerie." -- Concierge.co