Venice Things To Do

For many travelers, Venice itself is a day trip from elsewhere – but if you’re spending several days in Venice itself, you may be looking for day trip options in the area. Here are some of the best day trip options from Venice.

Many visitors to Italy are understandably eager to try Italian wine right where it comes from. You may be familiar with Italian wines that come from the Chianti area of Tuscany or the area around Barolo, but did you know that every single region of Italy produces wine? That’s right – you can even go wine tasting near Venice. In fact, some of Italy’s best-loved wines come from the Veneto region.

Most of us are familiar with Venice’s Carnival – the elaborate costumes, the decorated masks, and the extravagant parties – but did you know there’s a carnival in nearby Verona every year, too? Verona’s Carnival, called the “Bacanal del Gnoco,” includes some familiar elements you would see in Venice, but there are some things that make it quite unique, indeed.

The mainland region surrounding Venice is called the Veneto. This is where the nobility of Venice would escape to when the canals became too stinky to bear in the hottest months. Most of us think of escaping to the beach in summer but sometimes green hills and pastures provide much needed shady trees and evening breezes. Nobles had lovely villas built for their perfect getaway homes.

The term Lido has come to be used for many types of outdoor bathing spot –beach resorts in Italy, Lido Decks on cruise ships a la The Love Boat, or outdoor swimming pools in England, but it all began right here in Venice.

The Dolomites, located on the northern border of Italy, are a section of the Alps named for the carbonate rock from which these mountains are made. They are not to be confused with Dolemite, which was a movie written by and starring comedian Rudy Ray Moore. More importantly, they are one of Italy’s most magnificent features, and if you’re traveling in Venice or anywhere else in Northern Italy, a trip to the Dolomites is a must-do.

Venice’s canals are probably its most famous attribute, but travelers to Venice should take the time to visit the island villages found in its lagoon. Murano, Burano and Torcello are three famous hamlets found in Venice’s main lagoon; the first two are known for their handicrafts, while Torcello is known as the first sign of civilization in Venice. You can find a guided half-day tour online that takes you via motor boat to these three charming towns, described below.

Did you know that there is a mountain range near Venice called the Dolomite Mountains? I didn’t either, but it’s true. If you’re a fan of a certain stripe of ‘70s action movies, Dolomite Mountain might give you chuckle, as it did for me. Anyway, from Venice, you can take a day trip to the Dolomite Mountains, in which case you’ll be rewarded with a visit to the region’s charming towns nestled in some truly breathtaking scenery.