Venice

Venice
Venice is one of the most beautiful and the most romantic places in the world characterized by picturesque streets, baroque buildings and charming bridges.

Stretching over 117 islands and spanned by 409 bridges, Venice is situated at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. The centre is divided into six quarters (sestieri). These are: San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello.

The city's main thoroughfare is the Grand Canal that intersects each district as it meanders through the length of Venice from the railway station to San Marco. beyond its six sestieri Venice extends to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello known for glass, lace-making, and the magnificent Byzantine Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Boat trips to these islands are a relaxing diversion from the busier historic buildings.

The city has been the setting for many famous films, including Luciano Viscontis Death in Venice (1971), Nicholas Roegs Dont Look Now (1973) and, more recently, the adaptation of Henry James Wings of the Dove (1997) and Michael Radfords adaptation of the Shakespeare play The Merchant of Venice (2004). The final scenes of The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) were filmed aboard the Croatian cruise liner, the MV Dalmacija, in the Venetian lagoon.

Brief History
The foundations of the modern city of Venice were laid during 5th century. By the end of the 7th century the city was beginning to take shape in the times of the Doges - the omnipotent rulers, whose influence spread well beyond the Venetian Lagoon. Venice under the Doges was a land of unimaginable wealth and riches.

It was an exotic melting pot of East and West, where traders and travelers, including Marco Polo, breezed in and out, peddling their silk and spices. Beneath Napoleon's boot in 1797, the world's longest lived republic finally came to a standstill, whereupon he promptly handed it over to the Austrians.

By 1866 Venice had become part of the Europe's newest country: Italy. Luckily historic Venice escaped the best efforts of allied bomber command in WWII, while the more modern mainland 'suburbs' of Mestre and Marghera weren't so lucky. Today things are going pretty well for the 'sinking city', except for the rising waters of the lagoon.

Getting Here
Venice is served by two airports: Marco Polo and Treviso. Most flights touch down at Marco Polo which is just 10km north of the city centre in the suburb of Mestre. From Marco Polo there are a number of ways to get into Venice. Treviso is used by a number of budget airlines and charter companies (it's actually called San Giuseppe airport), and is roughly 35km north of Venice.

ATVO runs a Eurobus service which is timed to coincide with all arrivals and departures. Coaches operate between the airport and Mestre, from where you'll have to continue on a vaporetto (municipal water-buses)

Exploring Venice
The best way to explore this wonderful city is a combination of legwork and catching the odd vaporettti (municipal water-buses which cost ? 3 for a single trip, ? 9.50 for 24-hour unlimited travel or ?18 for a three-day pass). For the quintessential Venetian experience nothing beats a gondola; expect to pay about ? 100 for 50 minutes, but be prepared to haggle.

St. Mark's Square is a good place to start. It's the central point of the city and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It is defined by arcades on three sides and St. Mark's church on the eastern end.

During the day, St. Mark's Square is filled with people, pigeons and music. You can spend the whole day in this area, visiting the interior of St. Mark's Church decked with golden facade mosaics, marble and bronze statues, and five domes, (be sure to wear a shirt with sleaves and a skirt or pants that fall below your knees, or you will not be allowed inside), the Doge's Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece containing a precious art collection, and Museo Correr. Or go to the top of the bell tower which features spectacular views of Venice.

From there, you can walk towards the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. Do stop for a drink at the historic Caffe Florian or Caffe Quadri, both of which feature open-air orchestras playing in the square.

The Gallerie dell'Academia houses one of Europe's finest art collections following the progression of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries. Notable works include Paolo Veneziano's Coronation of Mary, Carpaccio's Crucifixion and Apotheosis, Giovanni Bellini's Madonna with Child between Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalen, Giorgione's Tempest, and Tintoretto's Theft of St Mark's Body and Crucifixion.

A must see place for Art lovers is the Accademia, which houses one the most impressive collections of masterpieces in the country with canvases by Guardi, Titian and Tintoretto.

For an amazing opera performances the citys opera house, Teatro La Fenice in Campo San Fantin is the place. Here classical ballet forms part of the season as well. For a serious art and music splurge, visitors should reserve seats in the Scuola di San Rocco, Campo San Rocco, San Polo 3052, where the Accademia of San Rocco gives regular performances of Baroque music on period instruments.

From April to September every year, an exciting rowing season goes on in Venice and on the lagoon, where there are more than 120 regattas, in addition to the famous Historical Regatta.

Many of these races are spontaneous; eleven are promoted by the Municipality of Venice in collaboration with the Rowers' Associations and the Co-ordination of the Rowing Clubs with the aim of keeping alive a sporting practice which originates from the very nature of the city.

Accomodation
Venice offers a large selection of hotel rooms and finding accommodations is not difficult, except during summer time which is the busiest tourist time. However, Venice's star rating system is based on facilities rather than the overall 'quality' of the hotel. Places that wont break the bank include: La Calcina, La Residenza and Agli Alboretti.