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Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, remains a city unrivalled in its marriage of serenity and spectacle, legend and romance. With tranquil waters that stretch along 150 canals and audacious historic architecture, it’s no surprise that the city of Venice is lauded as one of the must-see global destinations.
With no cars, Venice is a gondola-ride into the past through its web of narrow cobbled streets and under 500 ancient bridges that entangle the city centre. The fittingly-named Grand Canal epitomises the grandeur of this magnificent city: stunning Venetian architecture reflects on its surface, while at one end, the magnificent Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco offer a jaw-dropping finish to any trip along this majestic canal. [ReadMore]
Away from the water, neighbourhood churches are lined with Veroneses and priceless marbles, and the great piazza San Marco – the place Napoleon once referred to as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ – is a total showstopper. From the lavish 14th century Doge’s Palace, to the stunning mosaic-decorated interior of the famous basilica, the square boasts some of the city’s best sights. All of which glistens in the shadow of the impressive clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio.
This lagoon-based city produces wining and dining specialities all of its own: a sunny morning spritz in a campi (square); a seafood lunch in a bacaro (bar); a happy hour selection of cicheti (Venetian tapas); or a traditional Venetian meal at a canal side restaurant with a glass of the city’s beloved Prosecco – all are truly unforgettable experiences. Venice is a city of trendsetters. From controversial artwork in the Punta della Dogana to showrooms of local artisans and the radical new art at the Biennale, an unconventional, creative vibe can be found everywhere in this magical place.
Destination Highlights
Gondola ride on the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice, following a natural channel that traces a reverse-S course from San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church and divides the city into two parts. Slightly more than 2 miles (3 km) long and between 100 and 225 feet (30 and 70 metres) wide, the Grand Canal has an average depth of 17 feet (5 metres) and connects at various points with a maze of smaller canals. These waterways carry the bulk of Venetian transportation, as automobiles are banned throughout much of the city. In the heyday of the Venetian Republic, some ten thousand gondolas transported dignitaries, merchants, and goods through the crowded canals and lagoons of the water-logged city.
St Mark’s Square
St Mark’s Square is often referred to as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ and has long been the symbolic icon of Venice. Here you will find St Mark’s Basilica, with its stunning golden façade mosaics, and marble and bronze statues; the Doge’s Palace, the magnificent 14th century palace that was once the seat of power; the Bridge of Sighs and the Campanile, the city’s tallest building.
Prosecco & Macarons
Italy’s Champagne is a sparkling wine that originates from nearby Trieste. Although thought to have been invented in France, the macaron was in fact produced in the Venetian monasteries since the 8th century A.D. During the Renaissance, Catherine de' Medici's Italian pastry chefs made them when she brought them with her to France in 1533 upon marrying Henry II of France.