Venice is considered an expensive city and this is generally true. For example,
two cups of coffee sitting in S. Marco's Square can cost almost 30.000 lire.
The general cost of living is higher than other cities but there are a couple
of things that you can do that don't cost very much.
- a gondola ride costs at least 120.000 lire but if you want to experience
this ancient method of transport crossing the Canal Gande, you only have to
spend 700 lire. There are various "traghetti" open, above all
in the morning. The longest and probably most useful is the one between S.Tomà
e S.Angelo.
- an 'ombra e un cicchetto or rather, a glass of wine and a snack made
of fish, meat or vegetables in an infinite variety of ways: baccalà mantecato
(dry salted cod), meatballs, small polyps, fried fish, half a boiled egg with
anchovy, nervetti..
If you would like to try any of these specialities, all you have to do is go
into one of the many bacari (taverns) that can be
found all over the city. These are the famous Venetian taverns that often offer
excellent wines and food at modest prices.
- admission to Basilica di S.Marco is free although
a visit to the Tesoro alla Pala d'Oro costs 3.000 lire.
A visit to the loggia of the Basilica of S.Marco also costs 3.000 lire and
offers a magnificent view of the Piazza, the Piazzetta and the bacino.
- a visit up the bell-tower of the church of S.Giorgio
costs 3.000 lire. However, if you add the cost of the boat ticket, it
is probably cheaper to go up the bell-tower of S.Marco
(8.000 lire)
- admission to some of the museums is extremely cheap:
museo d'arte orientale - 4.000 lire
museo storico naval - 4.000 lire
translated by C.Cawthra
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