It’s unbelievable that Venice is close to 600 years old and built entirely on water. Images of gondolas and canals come to mind when the city is mentioned. It’s time however to expand this limited vocabulary and understanding beyond your abstract perspective of Venice as picturesque and romantic. The best way to do this is to go there! Here, you can find out how best to get to Venice, whether budget hotels are available, and if you’ll be able to eat well and affordably.
Venice
Photo by Olive Gavino via Trover.com
How to Get to Venice
If you are a budget traveler and have flexibility in your travel time, here’s a suggestion: Look into flights to Venice AND flights to nearby cities, even though Venice is your final destination. You may find a deal. The euro fluctuates, so it’s hard to know exactly what your ticket will cost without checking and even perhaps setting up an alert. Also, significant savings are available if your trip is outside the May-to-September high season. You will also be able to save money with a January or February winter booking. So, consider your timing carefully. Then be flexible in your housing choices and affordable Venice may be at your fingertips.
Where Are the Affordable Hotels in Venice?
Near Venice’s Marco Polo Airport you’ll find Le Boulevard Hotel, which is actually across the lagoon from Venezia. But for the cheap price of less than $50 per night, it’s worth the 20-minute ferry ride it will take to put you in the heart of the city. Hotel San Cassiano Ca’Favretto is on the Grand Canal and is a natural tourist favorite. Not only is it near the Rialto Market, a meeting place for locals and tourists alike, but it is also a pet-friendly property. So, your pooch can travel with you for the same price. Venice Resort is yet another affordable 4-star hotel near Hotel San Cassiano Ca’Favretto and in the vicinity of Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Basilica.
How to Save Money On Meals
Venetians take their espresso seriously, so you can count on a fine continental breakfast of fine pastry with your choice of cappuccino or espresso in just about every establishment. In Venice, if you want a latte, be sure to ask for a “caffe latte.” The key is to find a place, order what you want, then stand and eat your breakfast. This is another way to save money — by having breakfast standing as the locals do. You’ll engage in the same practice for lunch. Go to a bar or osterie for cichetti, which are Venetian snacks, eaten — once again — standing up with a glass of wine.
Although Venice may not be the choice of first-time travellers, it is a city that should not be overlooked because of common misperceptions when heading to Europe. With all of its lavish features — Murano glass, Venetian Gothic architecture, canal streets — it’s easy to think you’d have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to visit Venice. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that Venice can be enjoyed without spending a small fortune. This is the best news.
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