Venice - The capital of Romance
11/29/2016
Today its 56,000 residents (in the historic center) are dwarfed by 20 million visitors, indeed 50,000 tourists visit daily.
Venice is a series of Islands (118 in the center) crisscrossed by canals.
The city gradually became a city-state between the 9th and the 12th centuries, gaining valuable trading privileges from its submission to the Byzantine Empire, in addition to being the printing capital of the world.
However costly foreign wars, competition for the routes to Asia by the Spanish and Portuguese, as well as successive outbreaks of plague led to the decline of Venice, until captured by Napoleon in 1797. Venice became part of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
Mercifully the Allies did not bomb the city in the Second World War.Post-war, while tourism has boomed, the city has suffered a gentle decline with de-population and a feeling of faded grandeur.
It is best to visit Venice in the summer.Venice can be cold and damp, and occasionally foggy at other times.Having said that there are obviously no cars and therefore no smog so Vence can feel especially fresh in the summer months.
For U.S. travelers most fly into Rome: Iberia, American Airlines, British Airways and Turkish all fly here. Current prices on paylessflights are from as little as $536 return from JFK http://www.paylessflights.com. Once in Rome, you may want to take the train up to Venice through some wonderful countryside.Alternatively, car hire is plentiful, or, for speed, an internal air flight.
Venice is arguably the most beautiful place in the world.
Sitting on a lagoon, it has been unchanged for six hundred years. It is a legendary spot for romance (Casanova spent time here; excellent holiday reading might be his book 'The story of my life') but also steeped in the history of the world. Venice being an early Republic, ruled by the famous Doges, and a center of trade between Europe and China from the time of Marco Polo ('The Travels of Marco Polo' is a good book to give you some historical background). Venice was Shakespeares inspiration for 'Othello' and 'The Merchant of Venice.' and who can forget Thomas Manns novel 'Death in Venice.'
Today its 56,000 residents (in the historic center) are dwarfed by 20 million visitors, indeed 50,000 tourists visit daily.
Venice is a series of Islands (118 in the center) crisscrossed by canals.
The city gradually became a city-state between the 9th and the 12th centuries, gaining valuable trading privileges from its submission to the Byzantine Empire, in addition to being the printing capital of the world.
However costly foreign wars, competition for the routes to Asia by the Spanish and Portuguese, as well as successive outbreaks of plague led to the decline of Venice, until captured by Napoleon in 1797. Venice became part of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
Mercifully the Allies did not bomb the city in the Second World War.Post-war, while tourism has boomed, the city has suffered a gentle decline with de-population and a feeling of faded grandeur.
It is best to visit Venice in the summer.Venice can be cold and damp, and occasionally foggy at other times.Having said that there are obviously no cars and therefore no smog so Vence can feel especially fresh in the summer months.
A fascinating fact of life in Venice is the Acqua alta (high water) when the tide rises and floods some parts of the city.When this usually happens (outside of summer), sirens sound, and you will be guided towards higher places.Alternatively, some tourist routes stick to higher ground.
Must-see sites:
The Doge's Palace
You really cannot visit Venice without seeing this magnificent structure. A ticket costs €16, but you might want to take the tour which takes in Casanova's jail and the ornate Renaissance roof. The same ticket gains you admission to two other museums and the National Library.
You really cannot visit Venice without seeing this magnificent structure. A ticket costs €16, but you might want to take the tour which takes in Casanova's jail and the ornate Renaissance roof. The same ticket gains you admission to two other museums and the National Library.
St Marks Square allows you to ascend the Bell Tower of St Marks offering stunning vistas of Venice and the Lagoon. Plus the clock tower with its elaborate astronomical clock and huge bell.
The Guild House of St. Rocco has fabulous ceiling mirrors which will leave you fascinated.
The Jewish Ghetto. Sadly most of Venices Jewish population were deported to camps during the war. However, the community has rebuilt itself, and there are now five synagogues. You can sense the orient here in its countless shops and restaurants. Top tip is not to go from Friday evening until Saturday as most things are closed for the Sabbath.
Rialto Market and Rialto Bridge. The bridge has an 800-year history and there are plenty of shops restaurants and a farmers market.It is also cheaper than St. Marks Square.
St Marks Basilica. Entrance is free, but you can wait as much as five hours to get in for a brief visit, and no photography is allowed. You also have to be appropriately dressed. Once inside you can see some priceless treasures and the famous gilded golden horses.
San Giacomo di Rialto is the oldest church in Venice dating from 421 AD and has a famous 15th-century clock, gorgeous red pillars, and plenty of gold metalwork.
And of course don't forget that romantic gondola ride. Carnival time is very special in Venice with thousands of people attending masqued balls in 18th century costume. Events take place in the third week in February, tickets range from €100-€500 per person.
Museums
Visitors are spoilt for choice with Museums; including the Museum of Greek Icons and the Glass Museum (blown glass being a local specialty).However, for a complete contrast, we recommend the Peggy Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, on the Southern side of the Grand Canal. Entrance is €15. Peggy Guggenheim was the leading sponsor of modern art, and her collection is vast.
Getting there : Marco Polo Airport, on the mainland, is the nearest, and there is a shuttle bus to the Piazzale Roma.However, Treviso Airport (16 miles/22km from the city) has become a favored connection because of Ryanair, Wizzair, and Transavia fly there. A return bus ticket costs €22.
Once in Venice, Vaporetto (water buses) are the easiest and cheapest way to get around (most buy a travel card for 24 hours which costs €20 which is good since just one individual journey costs €7), beware private water taxies can be expensive.
Once in Venice, Vaporetto (water buses) are the easiest and cheapest way to get around (most buy a travel card for 24 hours which costs €20 which is good since just one individual journey costs €7), beware private water taxies can be expensive.
For U.S. travelers most fly into Rome: Iberia, American Airlines, British Airways and Turkish all fly here. Current prices on paylessflights are from as little as $536 return from JFK http://www.paylessflights.com. Once in Rome, you may want to take the train up to Venice through some wonderful countryside.Alternatively, car hire is plentiful, or, for speed, an internal air flight.