Ravishing Venice - ITALY

A place that should be everyone's bucket list to go see is Venice - it's hard to describe and compare the city's beauty to any other, as it really is one of it's kind. Perhaps best described as a luxurious open-air waterway museum, complete with interconnecting islands of architectural beauty, since the city dates back to over a thousand years.

Approaching closer to the canals, the feeling is absolute awe ,with the city overflowing with grand majestic elegance, streams of teal like coloured waterway canals, running through the city like an amusement park maze. Venetian antiquated architectural buildings, giving the deception of floating effortlessly on water, with each narrow solid ground street island connected by stone bridges, for ease of getting from one place to another. Any means of transport with wheels is forbidden, meaning the only way to go about is by foot or boat, as cars would be impossible and scooters, bicycles, roller-blades and skateboards are not permitted.

The most scenic and dazzling backdrop of Venice is by the 'Rialto Bridge.' The oldest bridge to span across the Grand Canal, built from stone and occupied by shops down along both sides selling jewellery, souvenirs and other items.

Continuing across the bridge into the San Polo area, there are more souvenir markets as well as the local food, fish and meat markets. Many cafes and restaurants can also be found along the 'Grand Canal,' which can be the ideal place for a relaxing lunch or dinner, while watching the world drift by on the glistening waters.

View of Venice from under the Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge on the right

The markets at the end of the Rialto Bridge on the San Polo

 
Whatever your sightseeing interests are, you would have seen the best upon approaching Venice, floating through the canals and wandering about on foot, but the city has other sights to offer if you have exhausted strolling through the open-air museum, that is Venice. 

A popular area is St. Marks Square or in Italian 'Piazza San Marco' - the largest square in the city. In and around the square you will find St. Marks Basilica, the Campanile (the bell tower), Doge's Palace as well as more restaurants, cafes and markets. A 360 degree view of Venice can be had, by heading up to the top of the bell tower, for a better perspective of the city's landscape area.

The Bell Tower with St. Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace in the background

View of St. Marks Square from the bell tower

If you fancy a gondola ride, there are a few gondola docks around with the popular ones being at the Rialto Bridge or on the edge of St. Marks Square. You can't miss it, just look for the slender long black boats complete with your own Gondolier, dressed in black trousers, a shirt of black and white or red horizontal stripes, topped off with a beige straw hat and red ribbon.

It costs about €80 per gondola for a half hour ride, which seems expensive, but if you're going to ride a gondola anywhere in the world, do it in Venice. You'll also receive a short history of the city as you glide through the canals, skilfully manoeuvred by your designated Gondolier.

On a gondola ride

Being in Venice, you can forget about using a map. Getting lost and exploring the city on your own terms is the best way to do it, especially with the city not being overly immense you're more then likely to come across all the must see areas, simply by strolling the streets. Also forget about keeping to a timed schedule, as Venice is a city for taking it in stride and absorbing it's brilliant beauty, above all else. Although there are many tourist, the atmosphere is serene, which might have something to do with being surrounded by the calming waters. The marvellously admirable man-made city is gradually immersing into the waters – so go see!

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