Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

DISC OVERING IT AL Y  13

2 days in Venice Afternoon Join a pre-booked
Secret Itineraries tour to get the
most out of the Palazzo Ducale
This unique city on the (pp118–20), where the vast Sala
water has romantic del Maggior Consiglio, with its
gondolas, magnificent magnificent Tintoretto, is the
churches and wonderful art. highlight. Have coffee at Caffè
Florian or Grancaffè Quadri on
• Arriving Marco Polo airport
is located at Tessera, 8 km Piazza San Marco (pp112–13),
(5 miles) north of the city. then cross the Grand Canal to
Alilaguna ferries, which stop the Accademia (pp110–11) for
at various points in the city, the best of the Venetian painters.
can be picked up a short If you prefer modern art, visit
walk from the airport. the Peggy Guggenheim
The journey time is around Collection (pp108–9), housed
Looking south from the upper terrace of 1 hour. Water taxis are also in the 18th-century Palazzo
the Boboli Gardens, Florence available, but they are very Venier dei Leoni.
expensive. Venice’s main
famous bronze doors on the train station is Venezia Santa Day 2
Baptistry (pp284–6). A few Lucia station. Morning Make for the Rialto
streets away, the Bargello (p287) (p101) to watch boats go by
holds a fantastic collection from the bridge, and stock up at
of Renaissance sculpture. Day 1 the city’s busiest market. Nearby
Afternoon Take a stroll around Morning Simply getting lost in is the church of Santa Maria
Piazza della Signoria (pp294–5), Venice (pp88–141) will exceed Gloriosa dei Frari (pp102–3)
dominated by its towering city expectations, as will the reality with its exquisite altarpiece, a
hall, the Palazzo Vecchio, and a of the familiar sights. To make Madonna and Child by Bellini.
copy of Michelangelo’s David. the most of a visit to this watery Afternoon Tour the islands of
Stop off at the famous Bar Vivoli city, travel by vaporetto or Torcello (pp126–7) for 12th- and
Gelateria for an ice cream before gondola along the Grand Canal 13th-century mosaics, Murano
tackling the Uffizi (pp290–93). (pp92–5) to Piazza San Marco (p125) for the glass museum
Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael – (pp112–13) and the Basilica di and colourful Burano (p125)
works by all the major artists San Marco (pp114–17). The for lace. Be sure to sample
of the Renaissance and beyond mosaics inside and out are some local snacks and drink
are on display here. stunning, but so too are the Pala an aperitivo in one of the many
d’Oro (golden altarpiece), the enticing bars back in Venice.
Day 2 jewels of the Treasury and the
Morning See the real statue of four Horses of St Mark on the To extend your trip…
David by Michelangelo in the balcony. Take the lift to the top Take a day trip to Verona
Galleria dell’ Accademia (p279), of the adjacent Campanile to be (pp146–51), which has a
then visit the church of Santa rewarded with a view stretching fine Roman arena.
Maria Novella (pp300–301) for all the way to the Alps.
Masaccio’s Trinity, with its novel
use of perspective.
Afternoon Visit the Gothic
church of Santa Croce (pp288–9),
the final resting place of
Michelangelo, Galileo and
Machiavelli. Next, cross Ponte
Vecchio (p289) for the Cappella
Brancacci (pp302–3), to see
more frescoes by Masaccio.
The fountains, grottoes and
woods of the Boboli Gardens
(p307) are perfect for a picnic,
and there is plenty more art in
the Palazzo Pitti (pp306–7).

To extend your trip…
Spend a day in the Cinque
Terre (p245) and another
exploring Pisa (pp328–30)
and Lucca (pp324–7).
Smart waiters serving drinks in refined Caffè Florian, Piazza San Marco, Venice

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