To call Venice from abroad, dial the international access code followed by the access code for Italy (39), followed by 041, then the local number.

To call abroad from Venice, dial 00. To call Venice from elsewhere in Italy, or to reach a local number within Venice, dial the area code 041 as well as the subscriber’s number.

To call a cell phone from Italy or from abroad, you no longer have to dial 0 before the number.

Distance between Marco Polo Airport and Saint Mark’s Square: 10 km, 70 minutes by Alilaguna, 30 minutes by motoscafo.

Taxis (Phone):
Boat: 041 5222303 (boat)
Car, radio taxi: 041 936137
At Marco Polo Airport: 041 5415084
At the train station: 041 716922

Public transportation:
vaporetti; two-tiered motonavi ferries providing service between Venice and more distant islands. Phone: 041 2424.
For more details:
www.actv.it
www.venicecard.it
www.alilaguna.it

Traghetti (gondola ferries) crossing the Grand Canal.

See Venice from the sky:
Heliair Venice
tel: 041 5260215
booking@heliairvenice.com.

Venice Pavillon
Giardinetti Reali
Tel: 041 5298711
Open daily 10am to 6pm.

City websites:
www.comune.venezia.it
www.govenice.it
www.turismovenezia.it
www.ristoranti.ombra.net

Cultural activities:
www.hellovenezia.com
www.undo.net/artshow
www.labiennale.org
www.teatrolafenice.it
www.ciaovenezia.com

City center post office:
San Marco 5554, Fontego dei Tedeschi
Tel: 041 528 58 13
Open 8:30am to 6:30pm
Closed Sunday

Theater and concert tickets:
Vela Call Center: 041 2424

Fire station: 115
Medical emergencies: 118
24-hour pharmacy: 041 5385141
Ambulances: 118
Police: 112

Venice has a variable although rarely extreme climate. High humidity can be a discomfort in the hottest period (July, August). It can rain for prolonged periods, the rainy months being March, November and December. The major nuisance, however, is flooding, most likely in November and December. There is fine sunny weather throughout the year, especially in May, June, September and October, the best period to visit Venice.

Water buses (vaporetti) are the main mean of transportation. Line no. 1 stops at every landing stage along the Grand Canal, other lines run on different routes.

Gondolas: The Grand Canal may be crossed at seven points by public gondola ferries. The privately-rented gondola, however, remains the most delightful way of admiring Venice, as it was built to be admired from the water.

Water taxis are readily available but very expensive, although the prices are regulated by tariffs.

Walking Venice is so small that nothing is beyond reasonable walking distance. The major hazard is losing one’s way, but this can become a pleasure and a chance to discover the hidden corners of Venice.

Venice is one of the safest towns in Europe: crime and urban violence are nearly unknown. It is, however, suggested to take care of personal objects, when strolling in crowded areas and on the public waterbuses, because of possible pick-pocketers.

At night, Venice is romantic, but definitely not dangerous: you can safely walk in any area, as there is no red-light district in town.

Venice offers a dazzling concentration of shops with enticing window displays. You will find exclusive shops and the most celebrated Italian stylists’ boutiques in the St. Mark’s area.

Calle dei Fabbri and the Mercerie are lined with lovely little shops all leading to where Venetians trade and city life have always been very active, the Rialto district.

Once over the Rialto bridge, you'll see the huge open air market which is set up everyday with fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, flowers.

Further on and to the right is the fish market: it is probably the most animated corner of Venice, well worth seeing for the numberless variety of fish displayed on the counters.

Shopping hours:
Mon. 15:30-19:30, Tue. to Sat. 09:00-12:30, 15:30-19:30, Sun. closed.
Usually, from May to September main shops are open during lunch-time and on Sundays, too.

The visual splendour of the Venetian food market holds out a promise of excellent cuisine to be performed by the city’s restaurants.

The hallmarks of the Venetian cuisine are the tasty dishes of fish: cuttlefish in their ink, fried squids, “baccalà mantecato” (stockfish whipped with olive oil), “sarde in saor” (marinated sardines with onion).

Fish and shellfish are offered as starters or with pasta, or grilled, boiled or baked as a main course.

Don’t miss the “risotto”, the typically Italian way of cooking rice, filled with numberless ingredients, and the “tiramisu”, the renowned Venetian dessert. It means "pick–me–up".

If you happen to be strolling in Venice in the evening and your attention is drawn towards a warm welcoming lighted window, stop and take a look: if you see a long wooden table surrounded by happy and laughing faces, you have found one of the few still existing old “osterie”, where one can drink good wine and eat light savouries, which in Venice, from the early 19th century, have been known as “bàcari”.

“Bàcaro” is a typical expression of this strange city, the pleasure of meeting there, away from the house and the cares of the day, where the lonely can always meet someone prepared to chat to them and to share a drink.

“Bàcaro” is a relaxing place to enjoy yourself, have a good gossip with a friend. Indeed an encouragement to those, always in a hurry, to stop and absorb the serenity of the atmosphere.