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Venice: A City of Canals and Wonders!

Venice, Italy is a spectacular anomaly. By all reason, it should not exist. Precariously perched on an archipelago of 150 tiny islands, it has not only survived, it has thrived. Today, Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe. People flock to see the canals (about 150), the art museums, and to see what Italy was like more than 1000 years ago. The city hasn't changed much. It is a magnificent historical preserve, and a vacation in Venice will be rewarded with life-long memories of a bygone age.

Orient yourself to Venice by taking a trip down the Grand Canal. Try to hop on boat #1 for the longer of the tours. The Grand Canal divides the city into two unequal halves, and is the city's "main street." See the palazzi (palaces) that line the canal, many in elegant Venetian-Gothic style. The various docks along the way are marked by Venice's signature "peppermint stick" moorings. Make sure you board a "San Marco via Rialto" gondola. Some of the gondolas don't run the length of the canal.

Start your Venice experience by enjoying a cappuccino in St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). By day, the square is flooded with tourists engulfed in a frenzy of sight-seeing rhapsody. By night, the square turns into a tranquil Gothic playground for hopeless romantics. Nearly two football fields long, the square is surrounded by historic buildings, and the offices of the republic. The clock tower, a Renaissance tower built in 1496, notes the entrance to the Mercerie, Venice's main shopping area, which connects St. Mark's with the Rialto. If you want to become popular in a flurry, buy a bag of pigeon seed and toss it to the curious horde.

For a look at one of the world's most richly embellished churches, visit St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco). The church was built in Eastern style to highlight Venice's affiliation with Byzantium, and is also adorned with Romanesque and Gothic aspects as well. The highlight of the artwork in the church is the 4,000 square meters of Byzantine mosaics that line the walls. In the atrium, face the church and look up to see the story of Adam and Eve that circles the bottom of the dome. In the Galleria and Museum upstairs, you can see an up close mosaic exhibition, a great view of the church's interior, and a great view of the piazza.

Nearby, the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was the seat of the Venetian government and home to its ruling duke (or dodge) for over 400 years. The palace was built to show off the power and wealth of the republic and to remind the world that Venice was a city to be dealt with. It serves as a surviving history of Venetian rule. Room 12, the Senate Room, was where senators debated and passed laws. The Armory houses a spectacular display of battlements, and was designed to intimidate potential adversaries. The giant Hall of the Grand Council is where the nobility met to elect the senate and dodge. Near the doge's throne is Tintoretto's masterpiece, Paradise. At 1700 square feet, it is the largest oil painting in the world.

The Accademia (Galleria dell' Accademia) is Venice's top art museum. Located just across the Accademia Bridge, the museum houses works by such Venetian Renaissance artists as Bellini, Veronese, Tiepolo, Giorgione, Testosterone, and Canaletto. Arrive either early or late, as the museum only allows 300 inside at a time.

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum (Collezione Peggy Guggenheim) houses one of the most impressive modern art collections in the world. Collected by Peggy Guggenheim, the collection reflects the brilliant foresight and critical judgement that has made the name Guggenheim famous in artistic circles. Take a trip through the Cubists (Picasso, Baroque), the surrealists (Dali, Ernst), the futurists (Boccione, Carra), the American abstract expressionists (Pollock), and a smattering of others like Klee, Calder, and Chagall.

Shoppers will want to indulge in the world famous Venetian lace and glassware. But, be forewarned: seek out reputable dealers for these items as there is much that is of such poor quality, it isn't worth the price of shipping home. The shops around the Mercerie carry good quality items. Start at the beginning of St. Mark's Square and look for the signs that have mercerie in front of the street names.

Venice is a paradox. Beautiful and hauntingly melancholy, it is a distant reminder of a once vibrant kingdom. At the same time, Venice bristles with an influx of modern energy that resonates with the millions of tourists that wander the Venetian streets each year. Its unprecedented beauty is best seen off the beaten path. Leave the crowds of St. Mark's Square and explore the side streets. Take a trip down the canal as the setting sun reflects on the palace windows. Perch yourself in an outdoor cafe, and sip an espresso as you watch a gilded moon rise over the city. Legend has it that if you kiss someone under the Bridge of Sighs, you will love that person forever. In Venice, a gondola is waiting to help you visit legends.

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  1. The Red House
    !!! XMAS PROMO 20% DISCOUNT ON THE CURRENT PRICE LIST !!! — Property 430265

    Vacation House rental in Venice area
    • House
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown, near the ocean
    • terrace
    SPECIAL DEAL XMAS TIME 20% DISCOUNT
    S P E C I A L    O F F E R
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $2362 - $3325 per property per week

  2. Cà Rielo
    Beautiful and charmy apartment in the hystorical centre of Venice — Property 257256

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 4
    • 1 bathroom
    • beach, town
    • garden
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $630 - $750 per property per week

  3. Casa Gialla 1: Visit Venice at cheap price! Sleep in 2 luxury apartments. — Property 88861

    Vacation Apartment rental in Favaro Veneto area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown, near the ocean
    • garden
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $827 - $978 per property per week

  4. Casa Gialla 2: Visit Venice at cheap price! Sleep in 2 luxury apartments. — Property 88861

    Vacation Apartment rental in Favaro Veneto area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 2
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown, near the ocean
    • jacuzzi
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $527 - $677 per property per week

  5. Charming and comfortable - Central — Property 57231

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 4
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • pets considered
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1151 - $1295 per property per week

  6. Canale: Apartments in house with garden in the heart of Venice — Property 63333

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 4
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown
    • garden
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1151 per property per week

  7. Dimora Tintoretto: Amazing apartments in Venice City Centre — Property 406887

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown, waterfront
    • terrace
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1796 - $3049 per property per week

  8. Ca' Vecchio Pozzo
    Charming property in central historical Venice, few steps from St. Mark’s Square — Property 252390

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 3 bedrooms , sleeps 5
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown, waterfront
    • internet access
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1700 - $1970 per property per week

  9. Belvedere — Belvedere 1:
    Apartments with a magnificent view of the San Marco waterfront — Property 35808

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 2 bedrooms , sleeps 6
    • 2 bathrooms
    • downtown, waterfront
    • air-conditioning
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $2051 per property per week

  10. Belvedere — Belvedere 2:
    Apartments with a magnificent view of the San Marco waterfront — Property 35808

    Vacation Apartment rental in Venice city center area
    • Apartment
    • 1 bedroom , sleeps 2
    • 1 bathroom
    • downtown, waterfront
    • air-conditioning
    Rates (shown in USD)
    $1099 per property per week

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