Italy Tourism » Venice Tourism

Venice City Travel

Of all the cities in Italy, Venice is certainly the one that creates the most extreme opinions. Its certainly a place that lives up to all pre-conceived images. Canals really do replace roads, boats take the place of cars and everything floats along nicely. However, there is very much the impression that the city really only exists for tourism and its hard not to shake the view that its a kind of cultural themepark. It is a must see, and everyday an unplanned walk will take you into new corners of the city which show that it has much more to offer than only the canal and the area of St Maro's aquare.

5 things not to misss :

1 Take a Gondola Ride - The Venice experience. There are several departure points for Gondola rides, scattered around the city centre. There are a great many in operation, all propelled by a local, its one of the conditions of the license that only those resident in Venice can have a gondola. Prices are not set in stone and its absolutely worth haggling, and finding someone that speaks at least a little English will add to the experience.

2 Piazza San Marco - The majestic Piazza in addition to the eponymous Basillica is home to to the Ducal Palace, official home to the Dogi dynasty. Also the chance to endulge in some of the most expensive bars in Italy.

3 Guggenheim Collection - Home of Peggy Guggenheim until her death in 1979, now shows a her private collection. Mostly modernist works although an eclectic choice.

4 Bridge of Sighs - One of the liveliest areas of the city. A real haven for tourists, mostly foreign, there is a strange mix of fresh fruit, souvenirs, fish and cheese.

5 Lido - Venice's beach resort and summer home to the Casino where the rich rub shoulders with the not so wealthy in search of the elusive lucky numbers.