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Venice or Venezia is a city in northern Italy, the capital of region Veneto. Together with Padua, the city is included in the Padua-Venice Metropolitan Area. Sometimes people call Venice as “Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Water”, “City of Bridges”, and “The City of Light”.

The city stretches across numerous small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers.

There you can visit St Mark’s Basilica - the city’s Cathedral, Palazzo Ducale - residence of the Doge up to the fall of the Venetian Republic in I797, Campanile – the bell tower, and the Correr Museum – which details the art and history of Venice. But there is also so much more the Venice, including taking a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, under the Rialto Bridge; then sitting at a café with the sun rays on your face is perfect, while listening to an account of the legendary Casanova. Then by late afternoon, it’s worth going shopping; from the traditional handmade crafts, glass, lace, to the masks.

Venice, though situated on water, is a walking city. A stroll down her narrow streets is the best way to get acquainted. If you have one day, be a tourist. See Basilica San Marco, the Grand Canal, and Rialto Bridge. If you have more time to spend, buy a Chorus Pass, which will give you entry to many of the city’s churches, filled with art by Titian and company. If you love everything about art, don’t forget to step by at the Accademia Gallery.

Stay overnight in Venice proper, spend your days in cool churches and museums, and come out after dark. After the day-trippers have returned to the mainland, San Marco is what it should be – truly romantic. Don’t forget to enjoy the live orchestra at the expensive restaurants that line the square. You can come at midnight, when the square is almost empty; you should enjoy the glow of the pink street lamps, and the sight of the Basilica sparkling in the darkness. Walk along the waterfront and listen as the dark waves hit the gondolas parked for the night. Also wonderful is the Feast of the Redeemer, when the Venetians take back their city. The fireworks over Giorgio Maggiore are spectacular.

Anyone going to Venice must see Piazza San Marco, or Saint Mark’s Square, the place where Napoleon called as the “finest drawing room in Europe”. There is also the Grand Canal. While a gondola ride is the best way to see the famous canal, a cheaper option is to buy a vaporetto pass for 5 euros, and take the number one from the train or bus station to San Marco.

Well, I think there are a lot of fun to visit Venice, and it would be great if you come there to enjoy it, not just read this article.

venezian canal photo by ralev.com

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