First-time travel tips: Venice on a budget

Ah, Venezia! Venice is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world. Though often considered an expensive city to visit, there are many tips and suggestions that can both reduce stress and save money.

• Getting around - Water taxis, gondolas and public transportation Unlike other world class cities, where local transportation is often little more than a necessity, local travel in Venice is a memorable part of the Venice experience. Venice consists of a maze of waterways where the iconic gondola shares the watery thoroughfares with delivery skiffs, private watercraft and public safety motorboats. Water taxis are a plentiful and convenient (yet pricey) option. The vapporetto, (aka the water bus) on the other hand, is a reliable, efficient and cost-effective way to get around. And the scenic views on the Grand Canal are the same either way! Both options are available for visitor arriving at either the train station or the airport. Multiple day passes for the vaparetto are available at most floating “bus stops” and provide unlimited passage around Venice and to neighboring islands like Murano and Lido). These are a great deal for 3 days or more of independent sight-seeing. An important tip…be sure to stamp your ticket at the toll box before boarding the boat.
• Gondolas - Goldolas are a familiar symbol of this romantic city. While pricey, the leisurely tour is considered by many to be a “must do”. While Venice has a standard price set by the local government, negotiation is a common practice.  To save money, take a daytime ride and negotiate your own tour at one of the gondolas stationed a bit away from tourism intensive areas of the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s square. Gondola tours arranged by tour companies or hotels are likely to be quite a bit more expensive. Many gondoliers docked in smaller canals are frequently open to negotiation and you can easily agree on a price and tour parameters that can make your ride unique.
• Beyond St. Mark’s Square — getting lost in Venice. In addition to the standard “must see” locations in Venice found in every tour book, many of the richest experiences are nearly free by simply wandering the streets and walkways of this fascinating old city. Be sure to spend a bit of time in the more residential areas on the south side of the grand canal, visiting small neighborhood shops and tiny espresso bars, and generally soaking in bit of the colorful daily life of Venetians. Be sure to visit some of the charming neighborhood churches which are rich in artistic and historic beauty, and often open to the public.
• Fun with food… Espresso, gelato and trattorias. In addition to many wonderful guidebook restaurants, Venice is full of quaint trattorias - casual establishments providing wonderful and authentic “homestyle cooking”. The typical meal is a leisurely event with an antipasto (appetizer), Prima (or first) course — often pasta and a second course of meat or fish. But while this is standard, it is perfectly ok to order fewer courses. And remember, when trying to calculate how much a meal will cost, food is almost always priced ala carte and often comes with a service fee. Simply ask if service is included, or not. Bottled water is usually offered - sparkling or still — but know that it will be added to your bill.  A liter of house wines is often the most cost-effective beverage - and quite delicious! For an alternative to dining, visit a neighborhood grocery and make a picnic. People watching over a simple lunch of bread, cheese and cured meats can make for a perfect break in the day. And of course, gelato, Italy’s version of ice cream, must be eaten at least once a day (and preferable more). When it comes to grabbing a quick cup of joe, strong espresso and delicious cappuccino is readily available at coffee bars all over town. Unlike lunch or dinner, coffee is usually less of a lingering affair. Most Venetians and seasoned visitors take their espresso while standing at the coffee bar. This is also a good way to save money, as sitting at a table will come with a service charge.
• Neighboring islands..Lido, Burano and Murano. Easily accessed by waterbus, these neighboring islands each have their own unique charm and are worth a visit. The Lido (Lido di Venezia), comes alive in the summer with it’s sunny beaches and fun-loving beachgoers. It is also the home to the renowned Venice Film Festival and the end of each summer. Burnao is a charming island, full of small, brightly painted houses. It’s the place to go for authentic Venetian lace. Murano is known as the home of famed Venetian glass makers. In the 13th century, all of the glass furnaces were move to the island to reduce the risk of fire on the main island of Venice. While glass factory tours can be arranged by hotels and tour companies, it is entirely possible to take the waterbus to Murano on your own and visit the artisans and their shops. You will often be invited to join another tour.
• Language - a few good words. Probably my most important tip is about language. While most Venetians in the tourist areas speak English, I have found that attempting to learn and use a few words of Italian, greatly enhances the experience. A cheery “buon giorno” (good day) or “buona sera” (good evening) lets your hosts know that you are pleased to visit their community and culture. Spend a bit of time before you go, familiarizing yourself with numbers, simple phrases and of course “grazi” (thank you).  A good website for this is: http://www.ielanguages.com/italian1.html