Compare Prague - Vienna - Budapest - Zagreb - Venice by TripMasters

Day 1 in Prague

Welcome to Prague! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! The city of a thousand spires awaits you!

Begin your visit in the Old Town (Staré Mesto). Old Town Square is the historical heart of Prague and it is here that you will find the Old Town Hall and its famous Astronomical Clock, dating from the 14th century. Be sure to see the hourly procession of the apostles on the clock and then climb (or take the elevator) to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city, including the Gothic spires of the Tyn Church and Jan Hus monument. Then stop for lunch (and more amazing photos) at the rooftop restaurant of the U Prince restaurant on the square or try the traditional goulash and roast pork knee with cabbage and dumplings served at U Vejvodu, one of the original restaurants of the Pilsner brewery, located on Jilska street

This afternoon, explore the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) including the Maisel Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Spanish Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Museum. Afterwards, head to Powder Tower, one of the historical gates to Old Town, before continuing next door to admire the exquisite Art Nouveau interiors of Prague`s Municipal House, where the Czechoslovak Declaration of Independence was signed. This is a good place to stop for a cup of coffee or bite to eat in the ground floor restaurant. You can also have dinner in the famous Sarah Bernhardt restaurant, located in Hotel Paris, opposite the Municipal House. Finish your evening with a romantic stroll across the Charles Bridge at night.

Day 2 in Prague

Wake up early today and head for Charles Bridge to gaze upon its many statues and touch the Cross of St. Jan of Nepomuk. (You can climb the towers at either end of the bridge for panoramic views of the city.) Across the Vltava River, in Lesser Town (Mala Strana), you will want to visit the baroque Church of St. Nicholas as well as the Church of Our Lady Victorious, home to the famous `Infant Jesus of Prague`. Afterwards, explore the quaint streets of this area that were once home to diplomats and merchants and now house many foreign embassies.

From Mala Strana continue to the beautiful cloisters of Strahov Monastery, where you can stop for a refreshing beer and snack, before visiting the Prague Loreto, Castle Square and Prague Castle, which in not a single building, but rather a complex of buildings and churches. Your tour of Prague Castle, founded in the 9th century, should include visits to St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, St. George`s Basilica and Golden Lane.

After a busy day of sightseeing, board a relaxing dinner boat cruise along the Vltava River and admire the sights of Prague by night. Or if you enjoy opera, you can catch a performance at the famous Estates Theatre where Mozart`s Don Giovanni was first staged in 1787.

Day 3 in Prague

Begin your day exploring Wenceslas Square, the busiest and liveliest part of the city. There are many choices for dining and shopping in this area, especially on Na Prikope Street. Here, you should visit the National Museum at the top of the Square, with its Hall of Fame devoted to famous Czech personalities, as well as the Alfons Mucha Museum on Panska Street, parallel to the square. This relaxing oasis showcases the Art Nouveau designs of the famous artist.

This afternoon, head into New Town (Nove Mesto), to see the New Town Hall and Charles Square before continuing towards the river to Dancing House and the Manes Exhibition Hall, dominated by a 15th century water tower and dedicated to all forms of visual arts. Its juxtaposition of old and new makes it one of the most photographed landmarks in Prague. Afterwards, follow the river up to the National Theatre then cross the Legion Bridge.

Time permitting, make your way to Ujezd tram stop and follow the signs for `Lanove drahy` to ride the funicular up to the Petrin Tower (Little Eiffel Tower) for the most amazing views of the city! Finally, spend your last evening wandering around the quaint shops and restaurants of Kampa Park before making your way across the Charles Bridge one last time.

Additional Days in Prague

Should you be able to spend additional days in Prague then try a day trip outside of the city to experience even more of the rich history and culture of this beautiful country. By far the most popular destination in the Czech Republic after Prague is the medieval Karlstejn Castle. It was built by the King of Bohemia, Charles IV, to safeguard the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire.

Afterward, return to the city and see some sights you might have missed. Take in a concert of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rudolfinum; learn more about the torments the Czech people endured under Communism at the aptly-named Museum of Communism; take a stroll through the largest park in the city, Stromovka; or you can see the ornate Wallenstein Palace, meant to rival Prague Castle, now serving as the meeting place of the Czech Senate.

Another popular city for tourists to visit is the town of Kutná Hora. After Prague, this medieval town was the most important town in Bohemia due to its rich silver deposits. The historic center and Kutná Hora`s main draw, St. Barbara`s Cathedral, have been on the UNESCO list for more than 10 years. Cesky Krumlov, with the second largest castle complex in the country, the spa town of Karlovy Vary and the haunting Terezin Memorial are also great choices so be sure to inquire about visiting these places during the booking process.

Your Last Day in Prague

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.

Day 1 in Vienna

Welcome to Vienna, the capital city of Austria! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

The Austrian capital boasts coffee houses, museums, history and imperial palaces. And the best part is that everything is in close range. Most of Vienna`s major attractions are located around the Ringstrasse, a historic city center that is easily visited on foot. This is where some of the most prominent must-see sights in Vienna are located, such as the City Hall and the State Opera.

From the Ringstrasse, you have the option of taking a tram around the boulevard and getting off at the sights, or you can simply walk to them. We recommend you spend some time here getting acquainted with the city and taking in the ambiance.

Spend your first evening in Vienna enjoying a warm schnitzel and a glass of beer at anyone of the many restaurants in the city. If you choose to continue on your evening to the bar scene, make your way to the Bermuda Triangle, an area roughly bordered by Judengasse, Seitenstatengasse Rabensteig, and Franz-Josefs-Kai. You`ll find everything from intimate watering holes to large bars with live music.

Day 2 in Vienna

Wake up early today to continue your Viennese adventure at the Museums Quarter (`MQ`). The inner courtyard with funky lounge furniture, cafes and two main museums: The Mumok (Modern Art) and the Leopold (Austrian Impressionism). The Mumok presents changing contemporary art exhibitions as well as permanent collections of classical modernism, while the Leopold features work from Gustav Klimt, one of the greatest artists of Austrian art. The MQ also has smaller museums such as the Children`s Museum and Austrian architecture museum.

Then take a stroll around Maria-Theresien-Platz, a public square that sits in front of the MQ and holds two massive art museums that face each other, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Fine Arts Museum) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History). The Fine Arts Museum features Greek, Roman and Egyptian collections while the Museum of Natural History holds the largest collection of meteorites, animal displays and pre-historic art like `Venus of Willendorf,` a statuette of a curvy-shaped female figure from the years 28,000 to 25,000 BCE.

In the afternoon, take a break at one of the Viennese cafes in the area. You may want to try Cafe Landtmann, an elegant Viennese café and tourist hot-spot founded in 1873. Sigmund Freud, the famous psychologist, was a frequent customer here.

After lunch take a stroll to Volksgarten, translated as `The People’s Garden,` it is part of the Hofburg Palace. In the center of the garden is the neoclassical Theseus Temple, a small-scale replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. You will be in for quite the treat if you come when all the beautiful flowers and rose gardens are in bloom!

Walk through the garden until you see Heldenplatz (Heroes Square) - a large public square in front of the Hofburg`s residence. This is where the offices of the President of Austria are located. Also, in 1938, Adolf Hitler`s ceremonial announcement of the Austrian Anschluss (the invasion and forced incorporation by Nazi Germany) took place here. On the plaza are two equestrian statues and the Austrian National Library Square, which houses an incredibly large and ornate public library with 7.4 million items in its collections. Behind the library is Burggarten, another imperial garden, where you can take a picture alongside a statue of Mozart.

As you walk through the Hofburg residence, pass by the Imperial Spanish Riding School, the only riding school in the world where the classic equestrian skills (haute école) are preserved and practiced in its original form. Nearby are the Sisi Apartments which you can tour to learn more about Princess Sisi, Austria`s most misunderstood Empress, and see the once lavish lifestyle of Austria`s last Imperial family.

Eventually you come out onto Michaelerplatz (St. Michael`s Place) with the domed Michaelertrakt, a Neo-Baroque monument. In the middle of Michaelerplatz are excavated Roman ruins of a house with medieval foundations. One part of the circular area has St. Michael`s Church from 1792, dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It is one of the oldest churches in Vienna and one of the few remaining Romanesque buildings in the city.

Stroll over to Demel, a famous pastry and chocolate shop built in 1786 that once served the royal court. Order a sweet treat such as the Sacher-Torte (famous Viennese chocolate cake with an apricot filling) or an apple strudel, and head to the back of the shop to watch bakers prepare their Viennese delicacies. After Demel, do some window shopping at the Golden Quarter, a luxury shopping street.

As evening approaches, we recommend dinner at Figlmüller, the `home of the schnitzel` for more than 100 years, where you can order their original Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad.

End your night by taking a night walk (gelato in hand) in the city at `Ferrari Gelato,` located near the Opera House. We recommend the almond and caramel flavors - so delicious!

Day 3 in Vienna

Begin your day with a stroll down Kärtnerstrasse, a famous shopping street and eventually end up at the Vienna State Opera House, one of the top opera houses in the world. This masterpiece from the 19th century provides first-class performances with over 50 operas and ballet shows 300 days per year. Next door is the Albertina Museum, known for its elegant staterooms and valuable art collections (such as Monet and Picasso paintings). Nearby is the famous sausage stand, Bitzingers, well known for their Kasekrainer (a cheese-stuffed sausage).

A few blocks away, and only open on Saturdays, is the Naschmarkt, a large farmer`s market that sells fresh fruits, vegetables, exotic spices, meats, and other international goodies. Only a few minutes away is the Secession Contemporary Art Building with its ever-changing collection of modern Austrian artwork. Just next door is another `must see`, Karlsplatz (or Charles Square), with the incredibly large Baroque-styled church of St. Charles built in 1737. Tours of the inside are available for a reasonable price.

In the afternoon, make your way to Belvedere Palace, a lovely palace from the 1700`s. We recommend you spend some time discovering the beautiful and widespread palace grounds, and tour inside the two buildings to see the beautiful collection of famous artwork.

Spend your last evening at Prater, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, it`s like stepping into another world. Take a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad, a giant Ferris wheel and famous Vienna landmark that was built in 1896. Also worth visiting is nearby Danube Park (Donaupark), a 250-acre open space that`s home to a fun miniature railroad, an artificial lake (Lake Iris), and a theater.

Alternatively, if you have more time and are willing to make the trip (about a 30 minute tram ride away), check out the wine tavern village of Grinzingand where you can enjoy some good wine and food at Feuerwehr Wagner, a family-owned establishment that has a 300 year old vineyard.

Additional Days in Vienna

Should you be able to spend additional days in Vienna we recommend you continue to explore in and around the city, there is still so much to see and do. Check out the Vienna Zoo, founded in 1752, this is the oldest zoo in the world. A highlight here is the 750 species of giant pandas, including cubs, as well as the many fascinating creatures housed in the interactive Rainforest House and Aquarium. Another fun attraction is the Madame Tussauds interactive wax museum offering up several photographic opportunities. You can study the wax figurines up close and see the incredible craft details. If you`ve never been to a Madame Tussauds, then this is great! You may also want to visit the Johann Strauss apartment, have a river cruise, check out the Sigmund Freud Museum and enjoy a wine cellar tour.

Your Last Day in Vienna

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.

Day 1 in Budapest

Welcome to Hungary! If you are arriving at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel, a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Whether you arrive by air or rail, make your way to central Budapest and arrive at your hotel. Check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Begin the trip by sampling one of the most famous coffeehouses in Budapest: Cafe Gerbeaud, the New York Cafe, and the Ruszwurm Confectionery are the best-known. From there, head north on the Buda side of the river to the Aquincum Museum, and learn about the settlement the Romans built close to modern-day Budapest.

While on the Buda side, pay your respects at the tomb of Gul Baba, a poet and cleric who helped Suleiman the Magnificent claim these lands in the sixteenth century for the Ottoman Empire. To round out the day, visit the whale-shaped New Budapest Gallery and event space to view the finest works of applied art on display anywhere in the capital. End the evening by taking a visit to Szimpla Kert in Pest, a popular `ruin bar` which has become an expatriate and tourist meeting place.

Day 2 in Budapest

This morning we recommend that you start at the Opera House with a short ride by Millennium metro (the first underground metro line in continental Europe) to reach Heroes` Square and Varosliget, Budapest`s City Park. Afterwards, visit of the Vajdahunyad Castle complex followed by a stop at the Szechenyi thermal baths where the guide will explain about Hungarian bath culture. If you wish, go to the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens afterward, also on the City Park property.

Continuing on, you will see the areas of Ferenc Deak Square, Elisabeth Square and St. Stephen`s Basilica before taking a break in a cafe for a taste of Hungary`s pastry called `retes`, which is a strudel. Following a short stroll along Vaci Street, the best-known pedestrian shopping street in the city, and Vorosmarty Square, you will head down to the Danube Promenade, where you can view the Shoes on the Danube Holocaust Memorial and see spectacular views of Gellért Hill and the Citadella, the Buda Hills, and the Buda Castle district.

After a brief stop at Lajos Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament, you will cross the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the oldest bridge connecting Buda and Pest. Then you will climb up the stairs (or take the funicular) up to the Buda Castle district to see the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and Fisherman`s Bastion.

From Fisherman`s Bastion, sip a glass of wine as you watch the sun set over Pest. Wander through the old cobbled stone streets while you wait for darkness to fall - the views of Parliament and the Chain Bridge illuminated at night are absolutely breathtaking!

Day 3 in Budapest

Budapest is home to many museums, including the Ethnographical Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery. An afternoon in the Jewish district (District VII) will not disappoint. The Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe. In the rear courtyard, you will see a weeping willow sculpture, the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial, which lists the names of the Hungarian Jews murdered during World War II, and also honors Raoul Wallenberg and other `righteous among the nations` who helped Hungarian Jews escape Hitler`s regime. The smaller Rumbach Synagogue is right around the corner.

A trip to the Central Market Hall is not only a good place to pick up souvenirs, but also a fun place for people watching. The balcony overlooking the whole market is an experience you should not miss. Cross the Liberty Bridge afterward and make your way to either the Gellért Baths or the Rudas Baths near Elisabeth Bridge and relax at one of these healing spas.

If you have time, we suggest a trip to Memento Park. These days most people have forgotten that the city was once filled with statues to Lenin, Marx and other representations of the Communist era. In the aftermath of 1989, a plan was conceived for an outdoor museum, Memento Park, for these unwelcome reminders of those difficult times. Besides the 42 statues, you will find a lot of symbolism and metaphors for the ugly realities of Communism.

Additional Days in Budapest

Should you be able to spend additional days in Budapest, then try a day trip outside of the city to experience even more of the rich history and culture of Hungary. We suggest you take public transportation such as the commuter rail line #5, which will take you to the picturesque artists` village of Szentendre where you will visit the magnificent Caprice Hungarian Jewellery Center. If you would like to experience more of Hungary`s history further afield, consider arranging for transportation to take you to Visegrad, the former Royal Residence and to Esztergom, center of the Catholic Church.

Return to Buda and visit Sandor Palace, the current residence of the President of Hungary. Afterwards, visit Pest once more and tour the House of Terror, largely dedicated to life, struggles, and torments as Hungary experienced them during the Soviet-dominated era from 1949 to 1989.

Your Last Day in Budapest

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.

Day 1 in Zagreb

Welcome to Croatia! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Make your way to Zagreb and arrive at your hotel. Check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Start your trip in Zagreb by exploring Dolac Market, the largest open-air market in the city, and nearby Ban Josip Jelacic Square, which is fully pedestrianized and is Zagreb`s central square. Take the Zagreb Funicular up to Lotrscak Tower and view the art pieces on display, some of which were moved here from the Klovicevi Dvori Gallery, which is also nearby. In between Lotrscak Tower and the Klovicevi Dvori Gallery, you will see the Baroque-inspired St. Catherine`s Church, with its tall, whitewashed façade.

Past the Klovicevi Dvori, you will encounter Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), which linked the two portions of the Upper Town in Medieval times. From here, explore St. Mark`s Square, which includes the iconic St. Mark`s Church, the parish church of the old neighborhood of Gradec, and Parliament Palace, where the Croatian Parliament meets. If you travel east from Stone Gate, you will encounter Tkalciceva ulica, where there are many restaurants and bars. Take some time to eat, drink, and people-watch. Return to your accommodations at the end of the evening.

Day 2 in Zagreb

Begin the morning by strolling the streets of Kaptol, the oldest portion of the city of Zagreb. Over nine hundred years ago, King Ladislaus proclaimed Kaptol as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Croatia. The centerpiece of Kaptol is Zagreb Cathedral, the best-preserved Gothic cathedral southeast of the Swiss Alps. The spires shoot 350 feet in the air, making it the tallest building in all of Croatia.

Walk down to the lower portion of Upper Town and start a walking tour of Lenuci`s Horseshoe, which consists of seven green areas mostly linked in a U-shape. Be sure to stop in at the museums and other buildings you will see along the way. The first green space you will see is Nikola Subic Zrinski Square, locally called Zrinjevac, which is located in the upper-right quadrant of the `horseshoe`. On the western side of the square, there`s the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb; take some time to view its historical exhibits, such as the one on Ancient Egypt, the only one of its type in the former Yugoslavia. The next park down is Strossmayer Park, where the Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters is located, inside the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts building. The last of the green spaces on the eastern side of the horseshoe, south of Strossmayer Park, is King Tomislav Square, home of the Neoclassical-inspired Art Pavilion, the statue of King Tomislav, and Zagreb Main train station.

Walking west, the next green space you will visit is the Zagreb Botanical Garden. It is one of the oldest of its kind in Eastern Europe, having been open to the public for 130 years. Walking north, you will encounter Marko Marulic Square, where the Croatian State Archives are located. The Archives have saved documents important to the Croatian people and its laws for over 400 years. The next square to the north is Mazuranic Square, and just off that square is the Zagreb Ethnographic Museum. The final green space is Republic of Croatia Square, and in the middle sits the beautiful Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. If you have time at the end of the afternoon, visit one of the most breathtaking art museums in Zagreb, the Mimara Museum. In the evening, stroll one of Zagreb`s signature avenues, Ilica, do some shopping, and get something delicious to eat. Return to your accommodations at the end of the day.

Day 3 in Zagreb

Take the entire morning and part of the early afternoon by enjoying the natural sights of Zagreb`s largest public park, and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe, Park Maksimir. There are five lakes and a number of streams which run through the park, in addition to noteworthy buildings such as the 19th-century era Pavilion of Echoes and the Swiss House. The southernmost 17 acres are set aside for the Zagreb Zoo, which houses a number of endangered species.

Afterward, head to the Lower Town and explore the youthful and vibrant University of Zagreb campus. Then cross the Sava River and take in all the beautiful pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art, showcasing works by Croatian and international artists. Spend the rest of the afternoon taking in one more museums in Lenuci`s Horseshoe, the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Spend one more evening in Tkalciceva ulica and enjoy a Croatian beer with your dinner if you are so inclined. Return to your accommodations at the end of the evening.

Additional Days in Zagreb

If you have some extra days in Zagreb, take a day or two to `be one with nature`. Explore Park Maksimir some more, and then head southwest of the city to Lake Jarun. Lake Jarun is known for its world-class sports and leisure center, which includes water sports such as kayaking. Enjoy the sunshine and see if you can make friends with any of the other people basking in the beautiful scenery.

If you have another day, explore Medvednica, which includes a nature park, a ski resort (Sljeme Ski Resort), and Medvedgrad, a fortress built to protect the area around Zagreb after the Mongol invasion of 1242. The ski resort is world-class and popular with travelers in the wintertime, and the nature park offers hiking and spectacular views of Zagreb any time of year, but it is definitely most optimal in the spring and summer seasons.

Your Last Day in Zagreb

Depart your hotel and head to the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer; if so, a representative will meet you at the hotel in time to take you to the airport for your flight out. We hope you enjoyed Croatia`s capital city!

Day 1 in Venice

Welcome to Venice! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Start your day by wandering around the giant maze of bridges, lanes and canals. Getting lost in Venice is not very hard to do, sure you can follow a map, but we recommend you put it down and allow yourself to get lost! As your strolling the side streets and alleyways, stop in one of the charming cafes to enjoy lunch and grab a souvenir at one of the many kiosks or shops you`ll pass along your way.

Enjoy your first evening in Venice by taking a sunset gondola ride. With the sky changing into hues of pink, the beauty of Venice`s waterways during this time of day is exceptionally picturesque. Hiring a gondolier who will hum Italian melodies while rowing you around is a one of a kind experience.

Afterward, spend some time over a relaxing meal at one of the city`s fancy restaurants. Wander alongside the canals and notice the mood of Venice change after the sun has set, so stay up late and embrace the city (and romance) of the evening!

Day 2 in Venice

Start your day off early at the City Center at Piazza San Marco and wander around the iconic public square. The city square, commonly known as St. Mark`s Square, boasts buildings and monuments representative of both the Baroque and Victorian era. From the Gothic styles to the intricate details that dominate the landscape about town, it`s definitely a sight to behold!

While at Piazza San Marco, you`ll notice the Basilica di San Marco, an elaborate structure illuminated with murals and gold embellishments. By getting to the Basilica early you may make it for an early morning mass: you`ll have the best part of an hour to reflect on the acres of glimmering mosaics. And unknown to most, the Basilica doubles as a museum and treasury for ancient artifacts, precious gems and jewels.

Don`t miss The Doge`s Palace, the most representative symbol of Venice`s culture, which, together with the Basilica of San Marco at the back and the Piazzetta in the forefront, forms one of the most famous sceneries in the world. Stop for a cappuccino or grab some lunch on the terrace of Caffè Florian for the most atmospheric surroundings on Piazza San Marco.

After lunch, explore the many bridges and canals while you head towards the legendary Grand Canal, Bridge of Sighs. If you`re wondering why it`s called the Bridge of Sighs, that`s because prisoners of the past convicted of crimes had to walk across that bridge to get to the prison grounds where they served their jail time. It is said that prisoners would sigh as they make their way across the bridge as a form of resignation to their fate. Today, the dark history of the bridge has been replaced with an urban legend where couples who kiss under the bridge will see their love stand the test of time.

Next, make your way to one of the most iconic bridges, the Rialto Bridge, located along the Grand Canal; this is the oldest and possibly one of the largest bridges in Venice. Unknown to most, the Rialto Bridge has experienced multiple collapses since its construction in the 16th century. Much like how the city might be submerging soon, it`s best to catch it while you can. (For the best photo, head to neighboring docks or bridges, which aren`t as crowded with tourists, you`ll get a clearer view.)

Spend your evening experiencing the local cuisine like a true Venetian. Know that most of the restaurants along the canals cater to tourists. Their menus are in English, the prices are a bit steeper, and the food is often just ok. To truly experience the best food in the city, get away from the touristy areas and step into restaurants that may require you to know a little bit of Italian.

Besides eating out at authentic Venetian restaurants, there are numerous ways to experience traditional cuisine and culture in Venice. Dine in the home of a local, go on a food tour, embark on a guided tour of Venice`s bacari wine bars and their famous cicchetti dishes, or take a Venetian pastry-making class!

Day 3 in Venice

Spend your last day in Venice Island hopping! Amongst the countless islands in Venice, Murano, Burano and Torcello are 3 major islands in the northern part of Venetian lagoon and are an absolute treat. Start off by exploring the island of Murano, a fisherman island and the biggest of the 3 islands, world famous for its glass factories. After visiting the Glass Museum and Chiesa di San Pietro Martire, jump back onboard your vaporetto (waterbus) and enjoy a half an hour ride to Burano. You may not know this, but the colorful walls of the residence in Burano are painted for a reason. The town`s city council used the vibrant colors as indicators marking the locals` houses to help guide the fishermen back home.

In Burano, make sure you drop by the Museo del Merletto (Burano Lace Museum) and the Church of San Martino Vescovo. After Burano, make your way to the Torcello and enjoy the grassy, secluded island decked in Byzantine mosaics and marshy muck lands. To put to perspective how secluded this island is, there are just about 75 inhabitants on the island! Walk around The Devil`s Bridge and Cattedrale di Torcello (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta) and make your way back to Venice late in the evening.

On your last evening in Venice enjoy a visit to the beautiful Teatro La Fenice and experience the golden era of Italian Opera in this Baroque Opera house. The theatre once hosted world-renowned maestros like Verdi, Donizetti, Abbado, Muti and Chung, Rossini, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti and Bellini. The name La Fenice translates to `The Pheonix` and is a perfectly fitting moniker for this opera house that has been rebuilt from ash twice over during its existence. Teatro La Fenice was a space for Venice`s cultural elite before its fire stints after which it became a monumental attraction.

Today, this opera house is amongst Italy`s most celebrated monuments and rightly so. Soak in the opulence of this wonder; the plush seats, the stuccos and gold plated ceilings and walls, the Baroque elements and gilded private balconies while you`re here.

Additional Days in Venice

Should you be able to spend additional days in Venice we recommend you continue to explore the charming city of Venice. Make sure to see the historic Rialto Market sprawling on the western banks of the Grand Canal. This market will give you a glimpse of Venetian life as you watch the locals selling or buying local produce. The market is said to be a photographer`s paradise and despite the noisy buzzing atmosphere, you will have experienced a slice of venetian lifestyle when you step out of here. Markets have a way of telling you about the locals and their culture and the Rialto Market is the perfect example of this.

We also recommend you check out the plethora of churches and museums that you may have missed out on earlier in your trip, they are breathtakingly beautiful and rich in history. The city of Venice has a couple of passes that bundle a few options together so that you can visit more and save money at the same time. These passes also help you skip the line and gain priority access, hence saving you time and energy.

Your Last Day in Venice

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.