Things to do in Venice

Venice needs no introduction. Its fame rests not only on its unique lagoon setting amidst a web of charming canals, but also on its countless masterpieces of art and architecture that have their own distinctive style.

Whatever the season, Venice is magical and charming. Visitors who come to be stirred by memories of history, art, literature or music or simply to enjoy the emotional experience of the scenery, will not be disappointed. Its ever-changing setting, constantly altered by the sun, clouds, rain and sea, creates an almost fairytale atmosphere – enchanting and unreal simultaneously. There is no other city in the world that captures the heart like Venice.

Venice, Italy is built on 117 islands and has 150 canals and 400 bridges. Here, a canal is called “rio,” a square is “campo,” a street is “calle” and a quay is “riva.” The narrow streets, with their historic names, are paved with flagstones but have no footpaths. They are lined with flower-decked balconies, shop signs and lanterns. Artisan stalls and palaces stand side by side. The squares are charming. Brick bridges, with white stone trimmings, are pitched high to allow barges to pass beneath. The hub of public life is Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), where tourists and citizens sit on the terraces of the famous Florian and Quadri cafés, just to listen to music, dream and see the mosaics of St. Mark’s glow under the rays of the setting sun. While the Quadri is more popular, the Florian is the best-known café: founded in 1720, it has received Byron, Goethe, George Sand, Musset and Wagner within its mirrored and allegory-painted walls.

 Gondolas are inseparable from a mental picture of Venice: dancing over the ripples or moored to tall posts; for serenades, lit with lanterns and gliding on small canals at night; police gondolas; fire-service gondolas; delivery gondolas and even funeral gondolas with black pompons. Gondoliers, wearing sailors’ jumpers and straw hats with colored ribbons, propel their craft with a single oar, humming their songs.