Venice Cavaliers: the gallants of the eighteenth century

Venice (Photo credit: BillT)

Author: Albapp

It seems hard to believe today that it was the excess of bachelors during the eighteenth century what gave birth to one of the most representative figures of the century of Lights in Italy, and specially in Venice. However, this was the real reason that lead to the existence of the cicisbeo, the gallant partner, not married to the noble lady who is often represented in important paintings of the period as a main character or as a secondary one.
Most of the time, the cicisbeo was one of the younger sons of a noble family, bound to celibacy or the seminar for not being first-born. The latter owning all the family's property, the choice of the younger ones was between a life in the Church or a life of relative luxury next to a lady. Many, as one can expect, chose the last one.

Veneto Wine

Image via WikipediaEverybody knows that wine is one of the most appreciated Italian products abroad. You might also know that Veneto is one of the Italian regions where the wine culture is deeper-rooted. Form Prosecco to Amarone, many wines were born in this region, have then arrived to all the other Italian regions and went over the Italian borders to tickle the palates all over the world. Certainly there is a deep relation between wine and Veneto, a relation that does not only come from the numberless wineries that fill the region, but also from the peasant culture of the region, which seems to have penetrated into the collective memory of all the inhabitants of the region. For the inhabitants of Veneto drinking an ombra (meaning shadow this is how a glass of wine is called in Veneto) in someones company in a typical tavern or at some friends means sharing a part of their culture and habits with other people.

The Italian Region Veneto And Its Food And Wine Culture

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By: Michele de Capitani

The region Veneto does not need any presentation: thanks to its varied landscapes (the Dolomites first of all, which are now part of the Unesco World Heritage), to its beaches and to the art cities that are well-known all over the world, from Venice to Verona, Veneto is the most visited Italian region, with around 60 million tourist presences every year. The success of the region is also due to the numberless typical products that are part of the culture of this region, food and wines that can tell you a lot about this land and that can flavour a holiday in this wonderful region with peculiar and unforgettable flavours.

Most Romantic Destinations of World

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Author: jamescameron10000

Venice is one of the popular romantic destinations in the world. Honeymoon in Venice is a very special way to celebrate the occasion in a place that is romantic in its own way. The mesmerizing beauty of the city with its elegant architectural work attracts a number of couples from different places. The intricate network of the canals may be experienced with a ride of gondola. This would take you and your partner to a surreal world. A walk around the city with your partner is something you may also try out. The charming café, the charm and warmth of the place is what it takes to turn your honeymoon into a memorable experience.

Ten beautiful places to buy or rent a house in Italy

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Author: Massimo Viola

Anyone who publishes a list, for example a Top 10 list,, should answer a couple of good questions: why that number and why those items were chosen.In this case, answering the first question is easy. Obviously the choice of a number is always arbitrary and ten is a very small number for a task like this, but it is so well referenced from so remote time, that I can go straight to use it. On the contrary, the second question deserves some more explanation. All the places below have been chosen thinking about a foreigner who wants to find a home for leisure in Italy. I cared to avoid cities. I also avoided places so famous to be almost impossible, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, Portofino, Chianti region, Amalfi, Capri and so on. Everyone already knows these places, so adding them to the list would be of no help to the reader. I have selected the ten places below having in mind these two simple objectives: they had to be affordable (no stellar prices) and, on the whole, representative of the most typical aspects of Italian territory. I hope to have accomplished this task at least in part. My true opinion is that every selection of this kind should be taken with a bit of scepticism. Far from being definitive, it is just intended to arouse interest and stimulate further exploration.

The Ambiance of Venice, Italy

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Author: Larry Aiello

Ahhh, Venice..sounds of Andrea Boccelli resonating from open balcony windows. Two young lovers comfortably embraced while savoring a nice gondola ride through a quaint canal. Couples strolling down the narrow cobblestone streets mano-a-mano. Romance is in the air. And there's no better place for romance than a trip to Venice.

Venice's main waterway is the Canale Grande (Grand Canal) which snakes its way through the city for approximately 2 miles. Other canals will feed into and out of this one. The Grand Canal is the "Main Street" of Venice.

Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic Italy Vacations

Image via WikipediaBy Priscila Siano
The city of Venice is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, making it a favorite itinerary of a lot of Italy vacation packages. This Metropolis is situated along the Adriatic Sea and extends to the river banks of the Po and Piave. The city is the home of beautiful buildings, works of art, avant-garde fashion, flavorful wines and of course the gondolas and the canals. These and more makes Venice one of Europe's most romantic cities.
The city was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and the grandeur of these periods are evident with the wonderful and fascinating Venetian cityscape. Its wealth can be seen in its marble churches and great works of art, making any vacation to Italy a memorable one. Artistic movements as well symphonic and operatic music traces its magnificent journey to this beautiful city.
Feel the romance in the air as you ride one of the city's gondolas in its grand canal. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you pass by its beautiful palaces and buildings which have diverse style and designs. You will be fascinated with its distinct Venetian Gothic architecture which brings together Gothic art and the Byzantine and Arab influences of the 14th century. Add to these are Renaissance and Baroque structures and the bridges. With sights like these, vacation packages Italy is all worth it.

Cheap City Break in Venice

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By: Asif Khan
Holidays in Venice is possibly the most romantic city you'll ever visit. It is almost redundant to describe the charms of this fabulous floating city, surrounded by hundreds of tiny canals. While wandering through the maze of footpaths or sitting back in a gondola and exploring the city by water, be sure to stop and visit San Marco Square, the famous Rialto Bridge, the elegant Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Venice is truly a place like no other, with its quaint alleyways, waterways and way of life.

Once you've reached the historic district, you may be surprised that, though there are no automobiles, getting around the city is relatively simple. While most tourists prefer to walk and take in all the sites, water transportation is the most popular way to get around the city quickly and serves as an adventure all its own. The most common means of water riding are the waterbus and water taxi, public boats that run consistently throughout the day and can be boarded with a ticket. Those planning on staying for longer periods of time can purchase Cartavenezia cards, which offer both convenience and a discounted riding fare. If romance and authenticity is what you're looking for, traditional Venetian gondolas are available, but expect to pay quite a price.
Piazza San Marco
St. Mark's Square is a popular tourist attraction and also is the most important square in Venice. The square also has Basilica, clock tower, major religious and political construction, shops, bars and amazing cafes such as café Quadri and café Florian. The square is usually crowded with lots of tourists and visitors holidaying in Venice as well as large flock of pigeons.
You will be able to find almost every sort of hotel in Venice. Some Venice hotels are budget hotels, while some are specially designed with a corporate look. If are looking forward for something lavish at the dazzling destination, opt for multi-star hotels in Venice, which are ready to offer you the most impeccable services. Comfortable beds, aromatic ambiance, flawless service, good food, plush spas and top quality gym are the normal features of these hotels.
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Venice, Italy - Ca D'Oro

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By Harry Preston

Goldleaf, ultramarine and vermillion were the most expensive pigments at the time, and the man who commissioned the palace, Procuratore Marino Contarini, was showing off his wealth. The Contarinis were one of Venice's most successful patrician families. Between 1043 and 1676 they provided eight doges for the Republic. Marino didn't manage to get himself elected so he set out to impress the city with his vast wealth. In 1421 the site had been prepared by demolishing the Palazzo Zeno, which was part of the dowry brought by Marino's wife. Between 1425 and 1434 Ca d'Oro was constructed in its place. The style is pure Gothic Venetian, described by some as "floral".

Other buildings in this style are Palazzo Barbaro and the Palazzo Giustinian, both nearby. In this case the architect was Bartolomeo Bon from Campione d'ltalla. Bon, working in partnership with his father, completed a number of important works in Venice including the Porta della Carta in Basilica di San Marco, with its monumental sculpture of the judgement of Solomon, the great marble door of Santa Maria dei Frari and the fine Foscari Arch of thePalazzo Ducale.

The wonderful airiness of the palace arises from its oriental pinnacles and the recessed colonnaded loggia which leads from the canal into a much more substantial entrance hall in front of a small inner courtyard into which Bon inserted an impressive well head (vera di pozzo). one of his signature features. The palazzo has been described, rightly, as a cross between a medieval church and a Moorish temple and yet for all its delicacy it is, and always was intended to be, asymmetrical. The palazzo changed hands many times over the following centuries and was owned by both the Marcello and Loredan families, but it remained in the hands of the aristocracy until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797.

In the 19th century it was extensively altered by a series of new owners, including Prince Troubetzkoy who bought it for the dancer Maria Taglioni. Under her direction the Gothic stairway and the balconies overlooking the inner courtyard were removed and the well head sold off. John Ruskin, in The Stones of Venice, declared her interventions to be an act for which he could not forgive her.

In 1894 Baron Franchetti acquired the building. He rebuilt the stairway and balconies and restored Bartolomeo Bon's well head. He also compiled a rich art collection which he bequeathed to the state, along with this palazzo, after his death in 1922. Today, the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti is open to the public. It contains some rather routine Tintorettos and Titians but Mantegna's St Sebastian on the first floor is unmissable. Look out for Bartolo's Coronation of the Virgin, Lombardo's Young Couple and Antonio da Firenze's Story of Lucrezia.

For more information about Venice, Italy visit GuidedTourVenice.com.

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Venice, Italy

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by:Harry_Preston
Venice is the greatest architectural repository in the world. All six sestiere of the city contain palaces and churches in the three most impressive styles Europe has produced: Gothic, Renaissance and the baroque. What makes Venice even more remarkable is just how many of these buildings there are. Palaces are crammed against each other and churches appear around every corner. However, Venice is also a city of squares (campI) which means that buildings are displayed to best effect in a series of leafy outdoor "rooms" that crop up one after the other. There are no long roads in Venice unless you count the Canal Grande, the city's high street, but even that curves like a snake so that new vistas are continually revealed. The canals of Venice divide the city into many manageable chunks and turn what might otherwise be a narrow dark alleyway into a luminous border down which float shiny black gondolas full of camera- wielding tourists.

The city of Venice occupies a special place in history. It was the first great republic since Rome. It had an elected head of state (il Doge) and an insatiable appetite for both making money and then spending it on ostentatious decoration. At its zenith, it had the most powerful navy in the world and a virtual monopoly on European trade with the Orient. As it declined, Venice became a byword for decadence, a city-state addicted to gambling, sex and intrigue. It was always stylish even if it wasn't always beautiful. Nowadays, even the scruffiest campus is still distinctly and proudly Venetian. Its citizens remain in their hearts a truly independent people.

In 1797, this ancient Republic was dissolved by Napoleon, in 1815 their city was handed over to Austria and in 1866 they were absorbed into the new kingdom of Italy. But the mindset of Venice remains entirely Venetian. The people speak their own version of Italian and they resent interference from the mainland. Recently Venice's first female gondolier started working for a hotel. There was an outcry among the other intensely chauvinistic gondolieri, not so much because she was a woman, but because she was not from Venice. For the traveller, Venice offers far more than one trip can achieve. You could easily visit ten times before you see all that is to be seen, and even longer to work out how to get from one place to another on foot. Venice is a maze, but one jam-packed with amazing treasures.

Fortunately, certain essentials can be covered in a day. Piazza San Marco, the Basilica, the Campanile, the Ducal Palace, the view across the Basin of San Marco to San Giorgio and a trip to Caffe Florian are all in close proximity to each other. Then the real fun begins as you follow a route, decide to explore everything there is to see in one area, use the public transport system to hop between islands in the lagoon or work your way through a personal must-see list of churches, palazzi, scuole and museums. At every stage of the day Venice will tempt you with delicious possibilities, whether you want to snack, drink or enjoy a long meal, the way Venetians do.

This is a city that appreciates the good things of life. Simple rules will help you enjoy this part of your visit more. Avoid restaurants where waiters invite you in. Avoid eating or drinking anywhere along the main shopping thoroughfares (the Mercerie) and be aware that if you choose anywhere picturesque to eat that you'll be paying for the view. That said, you will find that certain views are worth the extra euros. It would be a crime not to have coffee in Piazza San Marco at least once and the view along the over- priced Riva del Vin is worth the mark-up. The legendary Harry's Bar is small and expensive but it has that certain quality, to be found in very few places, of being something really special. Much the same rule applies to shopping. The further from the main thoroughfares, the better the price, but you may want to buy a carnival mask from a stall on the Riva for the thrill of having done so.

Carnival (Carnevale) is one of the high points of the Venetian year. This city-wide party is a gorgeous re-creation of 18th- century Venice that should certainly be experienced once, but the city in February is inevitably crowded and over-priced. Summer is also crowded and prices go up during the International Film Festival and the Biennale, so think about visiting Venice out of season. Whenever you go, you will find a city that is unforgettable, one that has been drawing tourists since the Middle Ages and one of the few cities in the world that genuinely deserves to be called unique.

I Love Touring Venice, Italy - Hotels In The San Polo And Santa Croce District

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The San Polo district is the smallest of Venice's six districts. It covers only 86 acres (that's about 35 hectares) in the center of the city. It's home to Venice's main market and has been for over 900 years. The main attractions are the Rialto Bridge and several churches including San Giacomo di Rialto, said to be consecrated in the year 421 and perhaps the oldest church in Venice. Santa Croce is north and west of San Polo. You may well stop by here because of the parking lots (cars aren't allowed in the five other districts of Venice) and bus station. But the eastern part of the district has a medieval air and is home to some tourist attractions such as historic churches and the Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna whose collection includes many masters of modern art. For your convenience we have listed district hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages.

The Acca Hotel has only one star but may be an option for economy-minded tourists. You'll be close to many attractions such as the San Pantalon church whose ceiling was painted by Gian Antonio Fiumani, and is said to be the world's largest painting on canvas. Breakfast is served in the courtyard. Maybe because the hotel has only 8 rooms and 1 suite there is no night porter. The hotel address is Calle Pezzana, San Polo 2160.

The Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo is our only suggestion for the Santa Croce district. It's on two floors of a palazzo that once belonged to the local Mocenigo bigwigs. There's a courtyard for breakfast and a Turkish sauna. Access is via a private bridge with a history that you can read on the hotel website. All 10 rooms and the junior suite are non-smoking, but none of them offer a canal view. The hotel address is Fondamento de Rimpeto a Ca' Moncenigo, Santa Croce 2063.

The Ca' Angeli Hotel occupies two floors of a palace on the Grand Canal that belonged to a famous Venetian architect who oversaw its renovation. The fine breakfast is served in a room overlooking the Grand Canal as do some of the guest rooms. There are only 5 rooms, 2 suites and 1 apartment. The hotel address is Calle del Traghetto della Madoneta, San Polo 1434.

The Oltre il Giardino'Casaifrari can be a fine choice if you are looking for peace and quiet. You may even have trouble finding this little hotel hidden behind a brick wall. Alma Mahler lived there in the 1920s after her husband Gustav's death. Its centerpiece is the garden where breakfast is served, weather permitting. All 4 rooms and 2 suites overlook the garden. By the way, you can't believe everything that you read. Quoting their website, "The house... has now been turned into an exclusive but homely retreat." This place is anything but homely. The hotel address is Fondamenta Contarini - San Polo 2542.

The three star Locanda Sturion hotel was used by the Doge of Venice to house foreign merchants selling their wares at the Rialto Market more than 700 years ago. The decorations have been updated to the Eighteenth Century. Its breakfast room and reading room overlook the Grand Canal. The onsite restaurant offers a historic menu, with dishes and delicacies dating back to the Fourteenth Century, reinterpreted for today's tastes. Be warned, the stairs are steep to this fourth and fifth floor hotel and there is no elevator. There are 11 rooms. The hotel address is Calle del Sturion, San Polo 679.


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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet but he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches various computer classes in an Ontario French-language community college. Check out his wine website http://www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines.


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Venice, Italy - San Marco District Hotels

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The San Marco district is situated in central Venice. Who hasn't heard of Piazza San Marco, "The drawing room of Europe"? It's the only square in Venice to merit the name Piazza, all the others are called Campi. In the words of Wikipedia "As the central landmark and gathering place for Venice, Piazza San Marco is extremely popular with tourists, photographers, and pigeons." Given Venice's relatively small size, you can enjoy San Marco without staying there, but you may wish to take advantage of this great location and stay in the neighborhood. For your convenience we have listed district hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all hotel websites to make sure that they include English-language pages.


There are only three rooms in the Al Teatro bed and breakfast so you better reserve early in anything but the off-off season. The largest room has a balcony and can hold four beds. The Teatro in the name is Teatro La Fenice (the Phoenix) the Venice Opera House that has twice risen from the ashes. One of the owners was born in this very house so we are really talking about a family operation. The bed and breakfast address is Fondamenta della Fenice, San Marco 2554.

The Ca' dei Dogi offers six rooms and an attic apartment ensconced in a Fifteenth Century Palace a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Piazza. You get a view of the Doge's Palace and breakfast in the courtyard. There's a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy traditional Venetian specialties. Some of the rooms have private terraces and wall tapestries and mosaic tiles abound. The hotel address is Corte Santa Scolastica, Castello 4242.

The Locanda Orseolo Hotel is almost right around the corner from the Piazza. This family-owned hotel faces the Orseolo Canal. There's a quiet courtyard and each room is dedicated to a Carnevale theme. There are 12 rooms. The hotel address is Corte Zorzi off Campo San Gallo, San Marco 1083.

The Novecento family-run hotel is only a short walk from the Piazza. Their rooms are decorated in a variety of styles. While there is no on-site fitness center, guests are welcome to use the nearby Hotel Flora's fitness center that even offers a personal trainer. Weather permitting, breakfast is served in the courtyard. As an extra attraction the hotel also organizes art exhibitions, giving the guests an opportunity to meet local and national artists. The hotel address is Calle del Dose, Campo San Maurizio, San Marco 2683/84.

The Bauer Il Palazzo is quite luxurious. You'll eat breakfast on Venice's highest rooftop terrace, Il Settimo Cielo (Do you need a translation?) The terrace also boasts an outdoor hot tub and none of the 44 rooms and 38 suites are decorated the same. There's an exercise room complete with personal trainers, a bar, and a gourmet restaurant where you can dine indoors or on the terrace. The hotel address is Campo San Moise, San Marco 1413/d.
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I Love Touring Venice Italy - Castello District Hotels

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The Castello district is the largest of Venice's six districts, locally known as sestiere. It's in the east of Venice and, unlike some of the others, people actually live there. This is the least touristy part of Venice, which may be an attraction for many. The area includes many historic churches. For your convenience we have listed these hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages. The exception is clearly identified.

Santa Maria della Pieta is a casa per ferie (vacation house) rather than a hotel. It does occupy the upper floors of two palaces but don't come here expecting luxury. You will enjoy the rooftop terrace. Some of the rooms are devoted to families, if you reserve early enough you may get one with six beds. There are 15 rooms. The address is Calle della Pieta, Castello 3701. Their website is Italian language only but the translation provides the basics.

The Hotel Scandinavia, originally built around the year 1000, was once a luxurious Eighteenth Century residence. According to tradition this was where Desdemona met Othello, the "Moor of Venice." Be that as it may, the hotel is right near the Santa Maria Formosa church and a typical Venetian square of the same name. There are 33 rooms. The hotel address is Campo Santa. Maria Formosa, Castello 5240.

The Ca' Formenta was an unimpressive Fifteenth Century building completely restored into a hotel in 2003. There is a rooftop terrace. I'm told that the restaurants and coffee houses in the neighborhood are filled with Venetians rather than tourists. If you don't speak Italian bring your phrase book. The street Via Garibaldi, named after the Italian national, was laid over a stream. The hotel address is Via Garibaldi, Castello 1650.

The Hotel Londra Palace was originally built in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Among its famous guests was Tchaikovsky who in 1877 wrote the first three movements of his 4th Symphony in room 106. The hotel has a bar and an upscale restaurant. There are 36 rooms and 17 suites. The hotel address is Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4171.

The Metropole, like the Hotel Londra Palace, has a music connection. Antionio Vivaldi taught music there. Try to get a rooftop room, or at least stop by the rooftop terraces. The place is just packed with antiques and beautiful curios many of which can be viewed on their website. The hotel boasts a Michelin two-star restaurant. There are 67 rooms and a total of 22 suites. The hotel address is Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4149.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian, French, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and spend time with his wife and family. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Among his many web sites he is particularly proud of his Italian travel site with a special focus on regional food and wine at http://www.travelitalytravel.com. Check out his global wine website at http://www.theworldwidewine.com with his weekly column reviewing $10 wines and his new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines, and now upscale wines.

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