“A city built by beavers, through the gathering of bits of wood into piles to withstand the waves.” This is how Goethe described Venice, the courtesan of Europe and a city of love, dreams, art and many other treasures. This jewel overlooking the Adriatic sea is well worth a visit in autumn when it rewards guests with its magical, mysterious atmosphere. Give yourselves one whole day to visit Venice, located just two hours from Milan by Italy’s high-speed Frecciarossa rail link. And fall in love!
The city’s major attractions, such as the awe-inspiring Basilica of St. Mark, in pure Venetian Byzantine style, the Campanile (the bell tower) and Palazzo Ducale, the Palace of the Doges, are all situated just nearby St. Mark’s Square. Just a few steps from the square, well worth a visit are the historic Teatro della Fenice and, burdened with legend, the Bridge of Sighs, one of Venice’s most characteristic bridges together with Ponte Rialto and Ponte delle Guglie.
In terms of uniqueness, Venice tops all other cities with its canals – which can be navigated aboard one of the city’s famous gondolas – and its two islands which can be easily accessed by means of a vaporetto: Murano, where for centuries glassblowers have performed oral gymnastics turning out fantastic glass pieces, and Burano, with its characteristic coloured houses and lace. A tip for an unforgettable experience: from the Campanile di San Giorgio Maggiore visitors can admire the city from above… without having to queue for hours.
Venice is also known for its shopping and entertainment. For example, the fabrics sold by Bevilacqua (San Marco 337/b) are so exclusive that they adorn the walls of the Oval Room at the White House; conversely, the masks made by Mondonovo (Dorsoduro 3063) are in strong demand during the famous Venice Carnival. The best handcrafted goods can be found in Calle del Fumo, while handmade items in lace can be purchased from Cenerentola, in the San Polo district. The general headquarters of the best-known designer labels, such as Missoni and Salvatore Ferragamo, extend from piazza San Marco up to Campo San Salvador, while some of the city’s most exquisite jewellery is just waiting to be admired or purchased in the Rialto area which is also home to Cielo and Pomellato. Last but not least, a must-visit destination for vintage aficionados is Pennylane in via Santa Croce. To delight your taste buds while absorbing the charming atmosphere of the city, we suggest a stopover at Caffe Florian, one of the city’s most famous café sites located in piazza San Marco. Several good places to dine include the Ristorante Poste Vecie (Rialto), known for its regional specialities, Terrazza Danieli (piazza San Marco) – for something a little more sophisticated – or the Osteria Anice Stellato (Fondamenta della Sensa). And to round off an unforgettable day, why not try your luck at the Casino di Venezia 
Discover everything that you should know about Venezia, on www.where-venice.com
livemilan  For a day trip to Venice from Milan ask to Zani Viaggi.