Venice --Italy

Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for its celebrated art and architecture. The city has over of 50,000 tourists a day/ and is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Tourism has been a major sector of Venetian industry since the 18th century, when it was a major center for the Grand Tour, with its beautiful cityscape, uniqueness, and rich musical and artistic cultural heritage. In the 19th century, it became a fashionable centre for the rich and famous, often staying or dining at luxury establishments such as the Danieli Hotel and the Caffè Florian. In the 1980s, the Carnival of Venice was revived and the city has become a major centre of international conferences and festivals, such as the prestigious Venice Biennale and the Venice Film Festival, which attract visitors from all over the world for their theatrical, cultural, cinematic, artistic, and musical productions.

Today, there are numerous attractions in Venice, such as St Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, and the Piazza San Marco. The Lido di Venezia is also a popular international luxury destination, attracting thousands of actors, critics, celebrities, and mainly people in the cinematic industry. The city also relies heavily on the cruise business. The Cruise Venice Committee has estimated that cruise ship passengers spend more than 150 million euros (US $193 million) annually in the city.

VENICE BIENNALE AND FILM FESTIVAL

The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival (Italian: Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale"), founded in 1932, is the oldest film festival in the world and one of the "Big Three" film festivals alongside the Cannes Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival.

The film festival is part of the Venice Biennale. Today, the Biennale includes a range of separate events including: the International Art Exhibition; the International Festival of Contemporary Music; the International Theatre Festival; the International Architecture Exhibition; the International Festival of Contemporary Dance; the International Kids' Carnival; and the annual Venice Film Festival, which is arguably the best-known of all the events.

The film festival has since taken place in late August or early September on the island of the Lido, Venice, Italy. Screenings take place in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi and in other venues nearby. Since its inception the Film Festival has become the most prestigious international film festival in the world.

VENICE FISH MARKET

The Rialto Fish Market is where local pescatori (fishermen) bring their finest fish to one of the largest and oldest fish markets in Italy. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30AM till about 1. You will find both locals and ristoranti owners shopping here daily. If you come to Venice and rent and apartment with a kithchen this is the best place to shop for not just fish but also local produce.

VENICE'S CICCHETTI

This is Venice's version of tapas and is amoung some of the best food in Venic. For the evening locals start around 6 p.m.

Cantina do Mori -- Sestiere San Polo, 429 (Entrances on Calle Galiazza and Calle Do Mori), 30125 Venezia, Italy +39 041 522 5401

A great little tapas style bar since 1462 near the Rialto market, that also has some of the best (cicchetti) tapas style food in Venice. Gorgeous ceiling and decor with hanging bottles and copper pots. Bar opens from two streets. Excellent local wine. -try - lightly fried artichoke hearts (fondi di carciofi saltati) and eggplant parmigiana -- The house speciality is francobollo, a tiny white-bread sandwich filled with sliced meats, radicchio, gorgonzola or roasted vegetables.

All ' Arco-- Sestiere San Polo, 436 , 30125 Venezia, Italy +39 041 520 5666
Just around the corner from Cantina do Moro is All' Arco. It is open only for lunch and is a favorite meeting place for local Venetians. You will find plates of cicheti on the bar including local lagoon shrimp and prawns, calamari, liver and speck served on slices of bread – ham and cheese plates and sandwiches are also available.

VENICE RESTAURANTS

Risorante Quadri --Piazza San Marco, 121 --30124 Venice, Italy Tel. +39 041 522 2105

Ristorante Quadri is the only fine dining restaurant overlooking Piazza San Marco. It is a 1 Star Michelin Restaurant which seems by it's cuisine looking for a second star.The cuisine of Quadri is a contemporary expression of Italian and Venetian classics. The menu was created by Max Alajmo is carried out by executive chef Silvio Giavedoni with influences from famous 3 Michelin Star Restaurant Le Calandre. Highlights ingredients are sourced directly from the Venetian lagoon, primarily fish that arries daily from the Rialto market. Signature dishes include: Cappuccino" with baby shrimps, Venetian crab, mantis prawns and clams --- autumn vegetables with chestnut puree, pumpkin mushrooms and almond cauliflower foam--- Roast suckling pig with cauliflower · white truffle and ricotta mozzarella gnudi .

Osteria di Santa Marina ---- Castello Campo Santa Marina 5911, Venice, Italy 041-528-5239

Creative Venetian cuisine is found at this restaurant just north of the Rialto. Located in a quiet square, serving very fresh fish. Excellent black sea bass ravioli, chestnut ravioli in season, bacon wrapped shrimp with pea puree.- --

Il Ridotto --Campo SS. Filippo e Giacomo, Castello 4509, 30122 VENEZIA. The Ridotto Restaurant is located , just a few steps from Saint Mark's Square, in the heart of Venice near the water bus stop of San Zaccaria. It is a 1 star Michelin Restaurant although prices especially the --only for lunch menu-- do not reflect this. The restaurant is an excellent value for the quality of food one gets. It is one of the best rated restaurants in both Zagat and Tripadvisor.