Venice Travel Guide
A city renowned for its fine architecture, romantic atmosphere and endless network of canals, Venice is one of the world's top tourist destinations. With a long and remarkable history, this city on the Adriatic is frequented year-round, and is a must-see if you're taking a holiday in Italy.
Over 1,000 years ago, Venice was a powerful mercantile sea power representing the finest of Renaissance culture. Its history dates back to 827 AD, when a Byzantine dukedom transferred its seat to what is today referred to as the Rialto. For the next 970 years Venice benefited from trade, until 1797, when Napoleon conquered the city which then merged into Austria-Hungary.
Venice flipped back and forth between Austria and Italy, and today the city on a lagoon is a shadow of its former great self. However, its romantic charm hasn't faded.
Tourist Attractions Around Venice
With an economy that's based heavily on tourism, Venice has an endless number of attractions that require days to explore. Venice has many different parts, with 150 canals, 317 small islands and 409 bridges. San Marco is the district where most of the well-known attractions are located, while the Rialtine islands are considered the 'main' part of Venice and can be traversed from one end to the other in approximately one hour.
As the world's only pedestrian-only city, you'll find getting yourself lost among its maze of canals and tiny walkways a remarkable experience. Among the most notable attractions in Venice are the breathtaking Saint Mark's Basilica on Piazza San Marco; San Giovanni e Paolo, a massive Dominican church; Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a large friary church with monuments and paintings; the Jewish ghetto, home to five synagogues; and the 800-year-old Rialto bridge, which is one of Venice's most recognisable icons.
Transportation Around Venice
If you've got cash to spare, a ride on a gondola is a delight. But if you're traveling on a budget, opt for one of the numerous water buses and taxis to see some of the sights. A warning, the city is achingly busy during the summer months, with overcrowding, high temperatures and long line-ups making it almost unpleasant. The best time to visit is in late March to May, when there are fewer crowds and the weather is more pleasant.
Getting to Venice is simple; there are two airports outside the city offering international and domestic flights, both of which have bus connections with Venice's Alilaguna water-bus jetty. Direct trains from various European cities run directly to Santa Lucia Station at the west end of Venice, where water buses or taxis can be hired.
Although Venice is a relatively safe travel destination, accidents and thefts do occur and taking out a travel insurance policy before you go is highly recommended. Should you get sick or need medical treatment while here, hospital bills can be expensive. Insurance will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip.
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