This Basilica is small but beautiful. Make sure to follow the dress code, knees and shoulders…read morecovered. There are additional features that you need to get separate tickets for (or get a bundle) so make sure to do your research beforehand and and book appropriately. It will be a short visit given the venue isn't large but it's worth it when you're in Venice!

Basilica di San Marco or the St. Mark's Basilica is dedicated to St. Mark, the patron saint of the…read morecity and a house for his relics. This is without a doubt the most important religious site in the city of Venice. At the time of our visit, there was construction on front of the building, but it was still beautiful. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture with Gothic influences. There was so much incredible detail that went into every inch of the building. I did not get to go inside but the outside was already impressive. A great spot for photos.

Venice's only Gothic church. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It is simply called "I…read moreFrari" as it was built by the brothers (frati) of the Franciscan order. LOCATION: In the San Polo sestiere but I remember just stumbling onto it while walking the island from my hotel in Dorsoduro to the train station on the opposite side of the island. ADMISSION: €3 Modest dress requested. I'm an atheist but as Christianity was highly influential in shaping European history I visit churches with the intent of understanding the history (and sometimes) art in shaping a region's cultural identity. As the Frari is not in San Marco, Rialto or any other major Venetian landmark I would've easily missed this church if not for Rick Steves' audioguide (http://podcasts.ricksteves.com/walkingtours/FrariChurch.mp3). His reasoning is that offers an opportunity to experience art in-situ (right where it was designed to be seen) as opposed to hanging in a museum. The audioguide explains the major art pieces in detail way better than I ever can. Here's a summary of the major pieces inside the church. - Titian's Assumption of Mary. This is considered to be Titian's magnum opus and his first major commission from a church. It's located behind the main altar. Its depiction of Mary was revolutionary for its time as she is seen as triumphant and depicted in soft and warm colors. - Titian's Madonna of Ca' Pesaro. What's significant is that this broke Renaissance tradition by depicting Mary and Jesus off-center and interacting with the commonfolk. - Giovanni Bellini's Madonna and Child aka the Frari Triptych. - Tombs of Titian and Canova. Titian had his tomb decorated with a relief of his most famous painting. On the other side Canova's cenotaph (Venice's most famous sculptor) is pyramid-shaped and was once meant for Titian, but when the church used the present design his pupils repurposed it for their master instead. It's a cenotaph because he isn't buried here but an urn contains his heart. Once you're done exploring the church the surrounding area is quieter than San Marco or Rialto. It makes for a good lunch/dinner spot and the prices are more reasonable.

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (aka Frari Church) was one of my favorite attractions in Venice…read more The church is beautiful, there were no lines to wait in, and the cost was only 3 Euros per person. Frari church has many beautiful Venetian sculptures. The main highlight at this church is Titian's Assumption over the main alter. We downloaded Rick Steves' free audio tour onto to our iPods and it really added to the experience since our knowledge on Venetian art and Frari Church were minimal. You can download the free audio tour at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/italy-audio-tours/id272230438 After you visit the church I recommend checking out the Dorsoduro neighborhood along the Grand Canal and buying a cone of gelato!

Santa Maria dei Miracoli is a very uniquely designed church…read more I did not see any rounded roof churches when I was in Italy. I liked the marble mixed with the yellowish detail. The color really stood out. The details were not a impressive as other churches but it was still nice to see. I liked that it was built right on the canal.

Beautiful! A incredible walk along the way. Just cross the bridge. Maybe 20 minutes away if your…read morewalking from st marks.

We walked to this Basilica one morning before lunch... it's a beautiful basilica on the point of…read morethe Grand Canal and worth the visit. They're doing some renovation inside currently, but it's still beautiful. It's amazing to see the sheer size and beauty, especially when inside of the construction!

Not far from the Rialto Bridge is this small church. You can actually enter from the Campo San…read moreSalvador or from the famous shopping street, Mercerie. The church has been renovated many times. The façade was done by Giuseppe Sardi in 1663. The bell tower came later. The church is stunning with works by Jacopo Sanovino, Titian, Francesco Vecellio and Alessandro Vittoria. Pay particular attention to the main altar which is marble and has a statue of Christ by Guglielmo dei Grigi. The church has magnificent flooring and there are three domes with lanterns letting in the natural light.

Strolling through the back streets of Venice we came across a small, pleasant Plaza with a…read morenondescript church. Having learned our lesson that "nondescript" in Italy on the outside can mean quite different things on the inside we passed through the door and into San Giovanni in Bragora church. It is a small, exquisite church - a quiet sanctuary. We learned it dates from the late 1400s, which in California would make it an ancient shrine that would draw thousands. In Italy it stands quietly without fanfare serving its local neighborhood as it has for over 500 years. We were amazed that here was the church where Vivaldi was baptized in 1678, and no doubt he and his family attended services here when he was young. Beautiful artwork and architecture is reason enough for a visit. The history in these local churches is awe-inspiring.

Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo is one of the more larger churches in Venice…read more Made of brick but the design is a lot more detailed then the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The marble building attached to it is really neat. I liked the marble color and yellow trim. This church is not as popular as the other sites in Venice but worth a visit if you are walking around.

Smaller than many of the churches that charge an admission fee, Santi Giovanni e Paolo features a…read morelarge amount of early Renaissance work in a concentrated space that is well maintained. Far less touristy than many, this shouldn't be a 'first choice' visit in Venice, but it certainly can be included in a tour without sacrificing much time or cost.

The grandeur that was Venice at the height of its power, although long since passed into the annals…read moreof history, is on full display in this grandiose, gilded basilica that ranks as one of the very finest in Italy, if not in the world. Best of all, it's free to visit! Marvel at the golden glory of the blinged-out mosaic ceiling. Stand in awe before the splendor of the Byzantine exterior. This marvelous edifice stands in the glorious Piazza San Marco, one of the most famous and beautiful in the world. When you've had enough of the basilica, make sure you check out the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) next door. It is even more breathtaking, if that is possible!

This was a beautiful, awe inspiring place to visit with Gothic, Byzantine, and Italian Gothic…read morearchitecture. It is the most famous and recognizable church in Venice, in the most recognized Square. It's also the church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of northern Italy. Be aware of the dress code and the search procedures. We had a prepaid ticket from our tour company that got us right in. If you wish to stay in the church after the tour to see more, just don't exit and you can explore more on your own and avoid the crowds. Worth the time and effort to see such a marvelous place.

There are so many lovely churches in Venice that it is hard to rank this one appropriately. It has…read moresome worthwhile artwork and the religious symbols are nicely done. It provides a serene atmosphere for a quiet stroll or for sedate contemplation. If you happen to be passing by, it is worth five or ten minutes of your time to step in. It is probably not worth going out of your way to see, however.

The waterways are the lifeline of Venice and the Canal Grade, or Grand Canal, is the main water way…read morethat connects everything in Venice. If you look at the map of the islands, the Grand Canal connects everything with a graceful S shape. In the medieval and renaissance times, Venice was a major trade area and an essential route for merchant ships bringing spices, silk, and other goods from the east. Our gondolier told us how there weren't bridges until Napoleon came along. Everyone traveled around by boat and the closer to the water the richer they were. Even today, traveling by water is the main method of getting around the city. When we first arrived, we saw movers with a crane on their boat hauling furniture. On our last day there, we even saw ambulance by water. It was also such a treat being able to take a gondola ride as part of our experience in the city. I enjoyed the day to day moments of walking around and exploring the city and taking photos on the Grand Canal. Every scene was so unique and stunning.

This waterway runs the entire length of the Lagoon of Venice! There is much traffic on the…read morewaterway: water buses, water taxis, gondolas and private boats and amazing to see how they navigate it all. I purchased a 3-Day Water Bus pass and it allowed me to enjoy the beautiful views, massive buildings, Rialto Bridge and exquisite architecture of all the other buildings along the waterway.