Gondola on the Grand Canal as seen from a vaporateur (the local water taxi)
Many people consider Venice to be the most beautiful city in the world. Some say it”s a cliché. So, decide for yourself when you get there. See Venice at dusk from Lido, the island opposite the St.Mark”s Square. See Venice as you walk down from Piazzala Roma to St.Marks Sqaure, past the narrow lanes and by lanes, crossing the small bridges that join one block to the next as you cross a canal or its smaller “tributaries”. See Venice as you take an ACTV water taxi from one of the numerous jetties along the Grand Canal from one point to the next. See Venice from a Gondola as a Gondolier serenades you as he glides the Gondola down the canals of Venice. See Venice at dawn, when most of the city is sleeping. But most importantly, just see Venice. And then, my friend, you will be ready to answer the question: Isn't it the most beautiful city in the world?
The Wanderers recommend a minimum 2 nights stay in Venice. Just to absorb the sights and sound of this fascinating city. Yes, its expensive, perhaps the most expensive Italian city, but staying close to where the action is could be half the fun. But if you want to cut on stay costs, then staying at nearby Mestre, which is well connected to Venice, could be a wise decision.
What should one see in Venice? This is perhaps the only city in the world where everything is mesmerising. Everything is worth seeing. However, what cant be given a miss are the St.Mark”s Square (where apparently Pink Floyd once played and the spire atop the cathedral came crashing down, or so we hear), Doge”s Palace, St. Mark”s Basilica, The Clock Tower, the host of Palazzo”s (or Palaces as the old buildings, some of which are now hotels, are called), Churches and ofcourse the shops that adorn the lanes of Venice. Then there are the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello and ofcourse Lido.
Beyond Venice: Venice is not only its historical centre and the mainland too offers visitors many interesting places to visit: without the need of getting too far, just a few minutes away from Venice, there's a whole world do discover! Starting from Mestre, just on the other side of the bridge connecting Venice to the mainland, and going a little further, everywhere one can find churches, ancient fortresses, beautiful squares enlived by markets and fairs. Going back into the past, one can follow the ancient routes built by the Romans, who left an indelible sign on the countryside, with the typical Roman grid characterising the area of the Decumano. |
Africa
