Experience in Venice, Italy by Astha

What is it like to live in Venice? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Venice is a holiday destination! I have been there to visit and travel only, and it is a small island but full of attractions. The beauty of this island is due to the canals and the water transport - an experience you will be unable to get anywhere else. The main island of Venice is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, so it is a must see travel destination. Living there must be exciting, but I assume it must be a little exhausting as well, connecting to main areas via boats and 'water taxis'. The Mestre region (on land) is a good city to discover some of the charm, stay and be well-connected to other parts of Italy.

How much does it cost to live in Venice?

Judging from the prices of eating out, shopping, etcetera, I assume it would be higher than other smaller and not as well-known cities of Italy. Of course it depends on the location of your accommodation, how well connected it is to the university and the supermarkets and nightlife/restaurant areas.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Venice? Is there any advice you can give?

As I have visited Venice as a tourist and a traveller, I cannot comment on the difficulty of finding accommodation in the group of islands around Venice. I believe Mestre region is cheaper and more available with accommodation than the group of islands, and it is well connected to universities with its good system of transport, the railway station (that connects to the island of Venice) and buses.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Since Venice is such a big tourist destination, you can find many cuisines there, though the main is obviously Italian cuisine which is quite good! I tried a pizza with patate fritte (fried potato fingers, like french fries) on top of it, and I really liked it. There is a small restaurant which makes its own pasta and sells both the raw pasta packets as well as completed dishes, called Dal Moro. Remember to go on an off-time (afternoon or early morning/evening) as on eating times like lunch and dinner they get long lines of people trying to get a bite!

What places would you recommend visiting in Venice?

St. Mark's Square, which has the St. Mark's Basilica is definitely the biggest attraction! Overlooking the other islands and the sea horizon, it is a big square plaza that has the St. Mark's Campanile (cathedral tower), beautiful but expensive restaurants, shops that sell souvenirs and Murano glass showpieces, and a museum. I arrived at the Venezia St. Lucia train station and just started walking towards the Square. You really explore the small island by walking from the station towards the plaza, which is on one end of the island. The Gondola ride is a must-do, though for that I suggest going in a group of 5-6 people as the ride for 20-30 minutes costs 80 euros for the Gondola, and allows a maximum of 6 people (so the cost can be evenly divided). I will also suggest taking the water taxi (around 7 euros per person for the ticket in the government taxi, private taxi costs around 60 euros) as it is a really good experience - I boarded one from the St. Mark's square to the Venezia St. Lucia station around sunset, and we saw the other islands as well as the sun setting over the sea! It was a beautiful sight.
Apart from these, there are various museums, as well as the glass blowing factories at the Murano island which are a fascinating sight- to see how beautiful pieces of glass products are formed!
There is also the Doge's Palace, which is a beautiful palace and museum, and you cannot miss the Rialto bridge - the biggest, most famous bridge in Venice - it is an architectural marvel over the Grand Canal. You can also visit the island of Burano, which has colorful houses and architecture, famous for the fishermen villages and the lace making art.

Is it good to eat out in Venice? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I went to Dal Moro for pasta, for lunch and Trattoria Al Gazzettino (spaghetti carbonara and lasagna) for dinner. In between I ate breakfast at my hostel (Wombat hostel in Mestre, right next to the train station) and a lot of snacks and gelato! Do not miss Captain Candy, where you get really good candies and jellies.

What advice would you give future students heading to Venice?

Venice is full of old-world charm, and the experience of living there is something you can never get anywhere else. Travelling on water in the midst of classical European architecture, surrounded by locals who are always so enthusiastic and supportive, and by well-known tourist attractions, is something that will be memorable and unforgettable.