The 3 star Hotel Al Duca di Venezia in the Santa Croce district is the perfect place to arrive in the historic center. Situated right by the Fontego dei Turchi(“The Turks’ Inn”), an old palace overlooking the Grand Canal which today hosts the precious Museum of Natural History, the hotel is in a quiet location from which you can easily reach the “Santa Lucia” train station and the Piazzale Roma car terminal.
A pleasant walk towards Rialto will bring you to discover the wonders of the old Fish Market and the “colorful” produce market. On the way, take advantage of one of many “Osterias” to taste the “ombra” and the “cicheto”, the traditional glass of wine accompanied by the irresistible snack, or try the Venetian cocktail, the ‘spritz’.
Crossing the Rialto Bridge with its characteristic shops, you will enter the area of the Mercerie – where every kind of shopping is possible – and just after that, as if by magic, Europe’s most beautiful sitting room will appear before your eyes: St. Mark’s Square, dominated by the splendor of the basilica of the same name and its high bell tower, a compelling moment that will surely excite you.
For “lazy” clientele, the closeness of the stops for the boats that run through the Grand Canal offer the chance to experience a beautiful “cruise” in the world’s most prestigious waterway, to arrive at the St. Mark’s basin, right in front of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square.
Along the Grand Canal, you will also find the Venice Casino (Ca’ Vendramin), the Ca’ d’Oro, the Rialto Bridge, the Ca’ Rezzonico museum dedicated to eighteenth-century Venice, the Accademia Bridge and Galleries, and the international exhibitions at the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation and Grassi Palace, which, together with nearby Cà Pesaro, are some of the most prestigious modern art galleries.
Venice will also amaze you with the beaches of its Lido – site of the International Film Festival – the walks along the Bank of the Zattere, the special, quiet atmospheres of Castello and Cannaregio and the fascinating islands of its Lagoon, but don’t forget some of the “wonders” located close by: Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, the churches of San Zan Degolà, San Simeone Grande and Santa Maria Mater Domini, Palazzo Mocenigo, the Great School of St. Rocco and the Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.
Business travelers will be glad to know that Hotel Al Duca di Venezia has a comfortable meeting room and is an excellent point from which to get to Venice’s courthouse, at the seat of the Region and University of Venice.
