Magnificent, graceful, beautiful, and romantic, Venice has left her visitors breathless for centuries.  Forever mysterious and loved, this true gem of human civilization is a treasure future generations may unfortunately only experience in the classroom.  La Serenissima as it was known, built by refugees from Ancient Roman towns of the mainland, saw its decline with the discovery of the New World, and destruction of the Byzantine Empire. 

See:

• St Mark’s Square – filled with pigeons, site of St Mark’s Basilica, Torre dell’Orologio, and the Campanile di San Marco. 
• Murano – this island is easily accessible from St Mark’s Square by boat, and is home to world-famous Venetian glass blowers. 
• The Grand Canal – stretching through the heart of Venice, it is lined with beautiful palazzi, some now open to the public. 
• Rialto Bridge – the largest and most majestic of the 3 bridges that cross the Grand Canal, a true icon of Venice.
• Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) – just next to St Mark’s Basilica, is one of the most spectacular buildings in Italy.  

Experience:

• Biennale – held every 2 years, this art festival has been running for over 100 years.
• Venice Film Festival – the oldest film festival in the world attracts the brightest stars of film year after year.
• Carnevale – held every year for 10 days, steeped in history and mystery, nothing could be more Venetian.
• Churches – apart from the Basilica, there are numerous churches to discover.  Hidden artistic treasures await those willing to break from the crowds. 
• Museums – The Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection are two important museums in Venice

Secrets of the City:

• Ghetto – the first Jewish Ghetto in Europe, this relatively quiet area of Venice offers a fascinating history
• Chioggia – an enjoyable fishing village just an hour away by boat at the other end of the Venetian Lagoon
• Lido – a long island that protects the Lagoon from the Adriatic.  Its sandy beaches are very popular in summer months.