"Venice - Romance City" Venice by Willettsworld

Venice Travel Guide: 8,142 reviews and 21,399 photos

The Grand Canal - Venice
The Grand Canal

The mere mention of the word "Venice" conjurs up images of canals, gondolas and romance. Venice is one of the few city's in the world that can be truly described as unique. It survives against all the odds, built on a series of low mud banks amid the tidal waters of the Adriatic, and regularly subject to floods.

I arrived in Venice by train and got a taste a what Venice was all about as soon as I exited the station and then walked towards the Grand Canal. The station area is a hythe of activity with locals going about their business whilst tourists (like me) were either trying to take it all in or working out what to do next. I decided to take a Vaporetto, (I recommend taking a no.82 as it doesn't stop so often), down the Grand Canal to St Mark's square passing by, on my way, beautiful architectural waterside palaces and churches and going under the fabulous Rialto bridge. This area is probably the busiest on the canal with gondolas moving slowly all over the place and other craft going about their buisness.

St Mark's square (the centrepiece of the city) is very busy with crowds of tourists taking it all in. And rightly so. The amazing facade, spires and domes of St Mark's basilica make it one of the greatest churches in the world. Inside, it's fairly dark which adds to the atmosphere that ouzes history from all of the gold, frescoes and gems that make up it's interior decoration. Sheer breathtaking moment. Next to the basilica stands the Palazzo Ducale with it's arched porticos supporting the upper loggia. Inside, I recommend taking the itinerary tour round the palace which takes you round the rooms, halls and chambers and even into the former prison cells by crossing the Bridge of Sighs. I then waited in another queue (which you will have to do) to take a lift up to the top of the Campanile which offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding lagoon.

St Mark's basilica - Venice

St Mark's basilica

Palazzo Ducale - Venice

Palazzo Ducale

  • Last visit to Venice: May 2005
  • Intro Updated Sep 29, 2005
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Reviews (34)

Vaporetto - Venice Vaporetto Transportation (2)

The best way to get around (or certainly to get to St Mark's Square from the rail station or the car park) is to take a... more travel advice

Train to Venice - Venice Train to Venice Transportation (2)

I took the train to Venice from Padova. It only cost a few Euro and took about 40 minutes. It beats driving there. more travel advice

San Giorgio Maggiore - Interior - Venice San Giorgio Maggiore - Interior Things to Do (29)

On the walls are two fine paintings by Tintoretto: The Last Supper and Gathering of the Manna (both 1594). In the Chapel... more travel advice

San Giorgio Maggiore - Exterior - Venice San Giorgio Maggiore - Exterior Things to Do (29)

Appearing like a stage set across the water from the Piazzetta is the little island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The church... more travel advice

Comments (2)

  • Reply
    abc37's Profile Photo
    Dec 21, 2009 at 6:23 AM

    great photos !

  • Reply
    Zvrlj's Profile Photo
    Jan 28, 2008 at 4:04 AM

    Just one correction - your San Giacomo dell'Orio tip has the photo of San Giacomo Rialto church, very different one.

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