|
Venice is special in many ways, not the least of which is its location in a lagoon. The city was built on and over the water more than 600 years ago, an amazing feat in itself, and continues to be virtually the same as it was when it was originally built. Although many of the buildings have of course weathered and aged over that time, they remain beautiful, inspiring, and charming.
Because it is literally surrounded by water on all sides and from below, water is a vital part of life in Venice. Most visitors enjoy the traditional trip out to the city by boat, while others take advantage of the city's train connections. Once in the city you will find canals crisscrossing everywhere, home to the historic and romantic gondola boats that are hand pushed in and around the canals by authentic gondoliers. Taking a ride in one of these craft is perhaps the most famous activity in the city, but be sure to plan for it to be relatively expensive. Most visitors say it is well worth the price, however, for the genuine experience and memories. If you don't want to spend quite as much money to see the canals, choose a Vaporetto (or water bus) because they are more reasonably priced.
Getting around Venice is easy because it is a pedestrian city without the distraction and pollution of cars. Because of this, be prepared with good walking shoes and comfortable clothing because you will spend a great deal of time on your feet. Many visitors do not realize just how expansive Venice is and so they underestimate the time and effort it takes to trek all over the city, so plan your daily activities accordingly.
A "must see" part of Venice is the Rialto Bridge and the nearby Rialto Market. The bridge, in various configurations and made of various materials, dates back over 800 years. The current bridge was built in 1527, and you will very likely recognise it once you see it because it is one of the most photographed structures in the city. Another excellent choice is to stroll along Zattere, which follows the Giudecca Canal. This pathway is quite sheltered and so remains comfortable in both summer and winter, and there are many wonderful shops, cafes, bakeries, and the like along the way. Be sure to visit Squero, a famous shipyard where gondolas are built.
Every visitor to Venice should be aware of the city's regular battles with high water. The water level in the lagoon can rise well above the level of Venice's streets and plazas, creating flooding all across the city. Called the Acqua Alta (high water), the city has an excellent system in place for dealing with the inconveniences of flooding. Raised walkways are strategically stored throughout the city, ready to be moved into place when the water rises. There is a siren system used to notify people in the city when high water is coming, plus an extensive tide monitoring and forecasting agency that provides very accurate information about upcoming water levels.
Marco Polo Airport is the largest airport near Venice, located near the city of Mestre on the mainland. Another smaller airport, Treviso Airport, is located much closer to Venice proper and is rapidly becoming a popular choice thanks to the addition of frequent flights by air carriers such as Transavia, Ryanair, and SkyEurope. Once you have landed, there are bus lines, shuttles, trains, ferries, and water taxis easily accessible to take you into the city.
Wiki:- Venice
|
