Venice, the charming city
Occupying 117 islands in the azzurre waters of
the Adriatic, this lagoon city is a watery maze of grand canals, 177 smaller
canals, over 400 bridges and the world's most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though
thoroughly walkable, getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard
the city's variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti or smaller
(and more expensive) motoscafi. The very expensive gondola ride is
suggested more for a romantic interlude.
Venice's enticing, exotic beauty, typified by the Byzantine architecture,
enormous stained glass windows rising along the Grand
Canal and Venetian
Carnival masks with their wry, knowing smiles - attest to the city's historic
role as a great Eastern trader. Venice's legendary maritime heroes, such as
Marco Polo, ploughed the Levantine trading routes. The entire Mediterranean
flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that
illuminate it today.
Modern pleasures are not absent in Venice. Year round, first-rate art exhibitions
pass through the city's ode to modernism - the Peggy
Guggenheim Museum.
Before the unfortunate fire that closed (with plans to rebuild) the Fenice
Des Artiste Opera House, this venue was a must stop for the likes of Pavarotti
and Placido Domingo. And the city's 70,000 inhabitants do much more than meditate
upon the glories of Venice's past - you'll no doubt see them sitting beside
you at the Cafe Florian, on San
Marco Square, or selling leather goods, hand blown, Murano
glass and Armani ties at the city's many fashionable boutiques.
Major sights:
St.
Mark's Square, St.
Mark's Basilica, Doges
Palace, Grand
Canal, Academy
of Fine Arts, Murano
Island, Giudecca
Island
Getting Around in Venice
Hotels in Venice
| Ai Mori D'Oriente |  |
| from 200 € |
 The new "Hotel ai Mori d'Oriente" exclusively recalls the ancient Byzantine-Venetian style and history, while offering the best services and quality provisions. You will be pleasantly seduced by the exotic atmosphere of its furnishings, memories of past t ...
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| Hotel des Bains, Venice Lido Resort | |
| from 210 € |
 The Hotel Des Bains, Venice Lido Resort, is a charming resort situated on Venice Lido. Surrounded by a lovely, large private park and opposite the legendary beach, we're just a 15-minute boat ride from St. Mark's Square. ...
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| Bauer Hotel | |
| from 264 € |
 The deluxe five-star Hotel Bauer offers its guests warm hospitality, impeccable service and a genteel atmosphere located in the heart of Venice, just a five-minute walk from St Mark's Square and the most elegant shops in Venice. ...
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| The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido Resort | |
| from 270 € |
 Seasonal resort - open from April 1st to October 31st. The charms of Venice Lido, with its exclusive private beaches, are legendary. Overlooking the beach and just a short boat ride from Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), the hotel spotlights Venetian ...
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| The Westin Europa & Regina | |
| from 296 € |
 An architectural landmark on the Grand Canal, just steps from Piazza San Marco, The Westin Europa and Regina, Venice offers an ideal combination of traditional elegance and modern technology. New rooms in the magnificently restored, centuries-old hotel fe ...
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