So What's Really Good In Venice?

[CL Smooth]

so I just booked a hotel for a couple days in venice before my study abroad program in northern italy. I'm gonna be exploring the city by myself, and I don't know any Italian- holla.

Anyways, any suggestions on things to do with myself?

[Fuuma]

You're alone? The city smells and the locals are assholes that hate you for not being from there. Just pick up a guide and go to museums/architectural landmarks. Look for anything to do with Chiaroscuro.

[Tyro1]

Venic Island is pretty much like Disney Land...

[Swych]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swych/sets/72157604822332880/

trying to hide the tourists... but it can be magical, especially when the crimson sunsets hit. also some great gelato spots. the weapons exhbition in the basilica rocked. also Alla Madonna (or something like that) served great pasta, esp seafood risotto.

[lexprime]

venice can be pretty disgusting (june-september), 2 days is the max time to ever want to be there. that said there's good shopping (mainly paper, glass, houseware & other shit).

be really careful where you eat, 90% of the restaurants are shit. that said, there are some great bars/restaurants around the fish market, still expensive though. you have to try spaghetti al nero di seppia, if well done it might be the best pasta dish in italy

see the peggy guggenheim, and probably the academia dell'arte, but stick to that area, san-marco/rialto is a helltrap, take a photo and leave.

udine (50 km? from venice) is a great close city, same with trieste, gorizia, and ljubljana (in slovenia,1.5 hour drive, fully worth it). If you want to go to the beach avoid Lido and head for Grado

[Swych]

Actually i heard that the Brion Cemetery designed by Carlo Scarpa is also worth visiting. Quite the architect. Professors highly recommended it as a supplementary trip to Venice. Its about 1 hour outside apparently.

[jo3 b]

go the the jewish ghetto and eat at the big restaurant almost directly near the entrance. it has a small window to buy falafel to go. best non italian food in venice.