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]]>Day 1 – Arrival and Grand Canal Stroll
Upon arrival, get lost in Venice’s maze of narrow streets before taking a leisurely gondola ride along the iconic Grand Canal.
Day 2 – Explore St. Mark’s Square
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile for panoramic views. Sip coffee at a café in the square while listening to live orchestras.
Day 3 – Island-Hopping
Take a boat to the islands of Murano, famous for glass-blowing, and Burano, known for its colorful houses and lace-making.
Day 4 – Art and Culture
Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and explore the Gallerie dell’Accademia for an art fix.
Day 5 – Hidden Gems
Discover the less-touristy neighborhoods like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. Enjoy a quiet dinner at a local osteria.
Day 6 – Day Trip to Verona
Take a train ride to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, and explore its romantic charm.
Day 7 – Relax and Reflect
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the charming Rialto Market and spend your last evening in Venice with a serene gondola ride.
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]]>Known for its intricate network of canals, the city and its lagoon have been a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site since 1987. But the effects of over-tourism and climate change have placed the City of Water under concern from the global organization.
Italian officials are no stranger to the endangerment. Two years ago, the waterways around Venice a were declared a “national monument” and cruise ships were banned from entering.
Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have been enough.
UNESCO believes that the corrective measures are “currently insufficient and not detailed enough” and has accused Italy of not communicating in a sustained and substantive manner since the matter of blacklisting Venice was raised in 2021.
(@elen.venezia)Officials have said that they will review UNESCO’s recommendation.
One way in which Venice could be saved is if the government decides to finally enact the proposed tourist fee for those wishing to make day trips to the city. The initiative, which would control the number of visitors, was due to be implemented in January of this year, but has faced several objections.
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]]>Yet, the City of Water is reportedly drying up.
Although winter is Italy’s wet season, the country has been experiencing notably dry weather over the last few weeks. The situation has led to concerns that a drought may be on the cards.
“We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” said a climate expert from Italian scientific research institute CNR, Massimiliano Pasqui. “We need to recover 500 millimetres in the north-western regions: we need 50 days of rain.”
Venice, in particular, has been affected by the bizarre weather. Flooding is a normally a worry in the canal-lined city, but due to the lack of rain, the opposite has occurred. Low tides are making it near impossible for gondolas, water taxis, and ambulances to travel along the main canals.
This has resulted in some ambulance boats having to stop farther from their destination, forcing medical crews to sometimes hand carry stretchers over long distances. Tourists have also been unable to venture on gondolas through some of the waterways, preventing them from navigating through the car-less city.
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]]>Photos with Costumed Characters
There is a good chance that you’ll encounter people in lavish costumes on the street who will invite you to take photos with them. Once you get a photo, you will be asked to pay a fee, usually around 10€. They can be really aggressive if you refuse to pay, so make sure to only take a photo if you are willing to pay for it.
Murano Glass and Carnival Masks
Venice souvenir shops sell all kinds of thematic items, including famed Murano glass (also known as Venetian glass) and carnival masks. The thing you should know is that in most cases, the Murano glass is not legit, and the carnival masks come from China and are produced in poor quality.
Restaurants with Tourist Menus
If a restaurant has a tourist menu and someone at the front door invites you to come in, you have encountered a tourist trap. These kinds of establishments prey on tourists, offering a sub-par dining experience for a huge price.
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]]>The post You May Soon have to Pay a Tourism Tax to Visit these Places appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Venice, Italy
Millions of people descend on the floating city each year to take advantage of its gondolas and canals. With the influx sometimes making it difficult for Venice’s own residents to enjoy their city, the local government has passed a law in favor of charging tourists a fee of between £3 and £10. The implementation has been postponed several times, but is expected to go into force this year.
Thailand
Before COVID, Thailand was 8th most visited country in the world. Tourism is returning to its pre-pandemic levels and officials are considering whether to introduce a charge of 300 baht (€8) for visitors. The will reportedly be used to take care of tourists, particularly medically.
Europe (the whole continent)
27 European countries form part of the Schengen Area, making travel between them seamless and not requiring visas. However, the European Union is now making it so that any tourists from outside the Schengen zone (looking at you, Americans, Aussies, and Brits) will have to fill out a €7 application to enter.
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]]>Hitting The Streets
One of the must-try experiences is getting lost in the labyrinthine streets of Venice. Take a break from the main tourist spots and venture into the lesser-known alleys and squares. You’ll stumble upon charming local shops, hidden cafés, and peaceful courtyards where you can savor the authentic Venetian atmosphere.
Iconic Art Displays
For art enthusiasts, a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is an absolute treat. Housed in the former home of the renowned art collector, this museum showcases an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Picasso, Dalí, and Pollock. Explore the exhibits and let the vibrant colors and avant-garde creations ignite your imagination.
Gondola Ride
Lastly, no trip to Venice is complete without taking a gondola ride. Glide along the shimmering canals, passing under picturesque bridges and alongside historic palaces. The soothing sounds of the gondolier’s singing and the gentle lapping of water against the boat create an enchanting ambiance that will transport you back in time.
F®E 
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]]>Prior to the pandemic, a whopping 30 million people would hit the decks of cruise ships each year. Although that number has dropped to just under 5 million, it is still a significant number of tourists.
Cruises may be popular with passengers, but not all city officials feel the same. Venice implemented a ban on all cruise ships in 2021, citing pollution and damage to caused by the large vessels.
It is now expected that other major cities may follow suit.
The incumbent mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, has highlighted how thousands of disembarking passengers cause mobility issues each time a cruise docks for four to eight hours in the port. Studies have shown that these people do not actually contribute much to the local economy as food, drinks, and other items are already offered on the ships. The average spend on land comes in at a mere €23.
Amsterdam, Marseille, Santorini, and Dubrovnik have also expressed concern over the pollution caused by the cruises, with 50,000 residents of the French city having signed a petition to ban them.
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]]>The post The Carnival of Venice, Italy is an Excellent Excuse to Visit the City appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Each year, Venice hosts its own carnival where participants celebrate with colorful masks. As legend goes, the carnival was inspired by the Venetian Republic’s triumph over the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven, in 1162. People began to dance in San Marco Square following the victory and it became a tradition that lasted through to the 18th century.
(@italy_dolcevita)The Carnival of Venice was eventually banned by the Holy Roman Emperor, but returned in all its glory in 1979.
You may have attended carnivals in Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans, but none quite compare to Venice. Here the festivities last for ten days between late January and mid-February, ending the day before Ash Wednesday on Shrove Tuesday.
The period is filled with parades, masquerade balls, and other jovial events. But prepare for some of these could set you back $530 per ticket!
The real draw of the carnival, however, is the costumes and masks. Expect to see around 3 million people looking as though they’ve come straight out of the 17th century.
This year’s edition of the Carnival of Venice ends on February 21, but we suggest already planning for next year as it is the most popular time to be in the city.
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]]>The post Venice to Become the First City to Charge Tourists an Entrance Fee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>As one of the most-visited cities in the entire world, the Italian destination will be charging an entrance fee to those who wish to explore, and the move is the first of its kind in the world.
Venice has long suffered from overpopulation, with around 30 million people visiting in 2019—many of whom came in for just one day. Being a medieval city, much of Venice’s infrastructure is delicate, making the overpopulation issue somewhat of a danger hazard.
In order to tackle the crisis, the city’s tourism department has now implemented a booking system which will come into effect in January. Under the new regulations, day-trippers will be required to book for entry in advance. They will then receive a QR code which will need to be scanned at electric turnstiles at Venice’s main entry points.
The fee for such visits is expected to be up to €10 during peak times, like summer; and between €3 and €6 on quieter days. Residents, their relatives, tourists staying overnight, children under the age of 6, those with disabilities, visiting for health reasons, or a sporting event will be exempt from paying.
The new system will start from January 16, 2023.
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]]>The post 5 Tips That Will Make Your Visit to Venice, Italy More Enjoyable appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Don’t Visit in The Summer
Visit Venice at any time of the year except the summer, and it will immediately be a more enjoyable experience. The city is overcrowded during the summer, meaning you’ll have a hard time walking on the street let alone enjoying all the attractions you intended. Spring and fall are much better choices, as the weather is usually fine and the atmosphere is much better.
Share the Gondola Ride
Riding a gondola through Venice canals is something most people want to experience when visiting the city. However, this pleasure is expensive and could make a serious dent in your budget. To avoid this, ask people from your travel group or other tourists if they would be willing to share the ride. The price is determined per ride and not per person, meaning that you can split the cost and still get the experience you want.
Pay Extra for Skip-the-Line Tickets
In case you have a major museum or gallery in mind that you badly want to check out, then you should pay extra for the skip-the-line ticket. The lines for popular attractions can be exhausting, and you surely don’t want to spend several hours just standing and moving step by step when you could be roaming the Venice streets.
Skip Pizza and Chose Pastries
Don’t hope to get authentic Italian pizza in Venice. The city has a ban on wood-fired ovens, so the pizza here is below par in most places. Instead, hit bakeries and small shops that offer some of the best pastries you have ever had.
Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
You will need to stay hydrated while exploring everything Venice has to offer. And the best way to do so is to carry a reusable water bottle. The city has water fountains on all major squares, and the water from them is safe to drink.
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