Organize your stay Venice
Money Venice
Currency. For French citizens of the European Union, there are no exchange rate problems, as they will be using their euros. On the other hand, Swiss and Canadian citizens will have to make a few calculations between euros, Swiss francs and Canadian dollars.
Banking. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 1pm and 3pm to 4pm (afternoon opening may vary by a quarter of an hour). Almost all offer a currency exchange service.
ATMs. If you have a Visa® bank card, there's no need to carry large sums of cash. In Venice, and more generally in Italy, ATMs are easy to find. Just make sure they bear the CartaSi sign, i.e. Visa® affiliated. Please note that the most important network, Bancomat, does not allow withdrawals with a Visa® card.
Tips. Gratuities are not obligatory, but they are always appreciated, especially when given by French people, who are generally considered by Italians to be "tight-fisted" tourists. We advise you to leave a tip of around 5-10% of the price of your meal in restaurants and hotels if you are particularly satisfied with the service.
Taxes. Sales prices generally include VAT(IVA: imposta sul valore aggiunto). This varies according to the products purchased (from 4% to 22%). Please note that the cost of cutlery (around €2 per person) must be added to the restaurant bill.
Budget & Tips Venice
Venice is notoriously expensive. You'll need to set aside a fairly substantial budget, especially for hotels,vaporetto transport, sightseeing and the purchase of quality local handicrafts. On the other hand, you'll always manage to eat in a local bistro(trattorie and osterie) at reasonable prices. And don't forget that, with the exception of St. Mark's Square and the palaces, a good espresso will only cost you €1.50 at the bar, and a good spritz between €3.50 and €6. Another all-too-frequently overlooked tip: staying in Treviso will cost you much less, and you'll be only a 30-minute train ride from Venice, in a highly picturesque setting!
Passport and visas Venice
EU and Swiss citizens. For stays of less than three months: valid identity card or passport (or expired within the last five years). For stays longer than three months, apply to the Questura (prefecture) for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit), valid for five years.
Canadian citizens. For stays of less than 90 days within a 180-day period: valid passport; no visa required for travel within the Schengen area (of which Italy is a member). For stays of more than 90 days in one or more Schengen countries, Canadian citizens must apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate, or try to obtain a three-month extension at the Questura (rarely issued...).
Driver's license Venice
If you wish to rent a car to visit Venice's surroundings, you'll need a "B" driving license.
Health Venice
As in France, emergency services are well organized and cell phones work well everywhere, enabling rapid intervention in the event of a problem. No special vaccinations are required to travel to Italy.
In the event of an accident, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Health and medical emergencies. 118
Pediatric emergencies. Santi Giovanni e Paolo Hospital Dispensary +39 041 529 41 11.
Ospedale civile Santi Giovanni e Paolo +39 041 529 41 11.
Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre. +39 041 965 71 11.
Guardia Medica (doctor on call). +39 041 23 85 600.
Pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7:30pm; some may close between 1pm and 2:30pm. All display the addresses of pharmacies on duty at night and on Sundays.
Security Venice
Venice is one of the safest cities in Europe. However, as in any large city, beware of pickpockets on the vaporetti and in the vicinity of major tourist sites. If you are the victim of a theft, report it to the nearest police station.
Polizia. 113
Carabinieri (Gendarmerie). 112.
Police Station. Fondamenta San Lorenzo, 5053 Castello. +39 041 270 5511.
Questura (Police Headquarters). Santa Croce 500. +39 041 271 55 11.
Time difference Venice
Italy belongs to the same time zone as France, Belgium and Switzerland. March is one hour ahead, October one hour behind. The time difference with Montreal is +6 hours.
Spoken languages Venice
Italian is one of the most melodious of Latin languages. However, each region of the boot has preserved its own particular accent, embellished with regional formulas and turns of phrase. Venetian is a very much alive dialect, still widely spoken by all generations. Indeed, it is used in almost all the city's place names(calle de Pistor, for baker's street; San Stae for Sant'Eustachio; Naranzaria, for orangery, etc.).
Communication Venice
As the Veneto is a very touristy region, most Italians speak good English, but you will also find hotel and restaurant staff able to express themselves and be understood in French.
Electricity and measurements Venice
Italy is connected to 220 volts, like the rest of continental Europe. But in Northern Italy, some plugs are still three-pronged (L-type plugs). You will therefore need an adapter or a travel power strip to charge your electrical appliances, as the French plugs are of the two-branch C-type. Available from electricians and supermarkets. The same units of weights and measures are used as in metropolitan France.
Luggage Venice
Choose sober, practical clothes for daytime and sightseeing (not forgetting a cap and sneakers) and something more chic for going out in the evening, because, as we say in Italy, anche l'occhio vuole la sua parte (literally: "the eye too must be flattered").
In spring and autumn, don't forget to bring an umbrella, as the continental climate is often rainy, and some nice sunglasses to wear at the faintest ray of sunshine if you want to conform to local customs! The essentials (whatever the season) to pack before leaving for Venice are comfortable shoes for striding through the city, a K-way (you never know), boots (from October to June, because in Venice, in case ofacqua alta, their price increases fourfold!) and mosquito repellent (from May to October). If you're visiting Veneto in winter, take warm clothes (down jacket or coat). When visiting churches in summer, avoid shorts and bare shoulders.
