| Venice is a city famous for its ancient thoroughfares | | | | the most recognizable and influential Catholic church in |
| of flowing water, but after the token tourist gondola | | | | Venice. A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, this |
| ride, what else is there to do in Venice? Visitors will be | | | | cathedral dates to 1063 A.D. and purportedly houses at |
| pleased to know that Venice is one of the most | | | | least some of the remains of its namesake. While |
| beautiful man-made cities on earth, with its romance | | | | visiting the basilica don't miss a visit to Doge's Palace, |
| attributed to the city itself being made up of 117 | | | | once the judicial and political hub of Venice, which is |
| separate islands in the Adriatic Sea. With a population | | | | just adjacent to the church. Now an art museum unto |
| of primarily Roman Catholics, there are a plethora of | | | | itself, it's worth a visit just to get a glimpse at the |
| breathtaking basilicas to visit. Venice also boasts some | | | | priceless collection within. |
| of the most stunning architecture in the world, with | | | | Given that Venice is quite literally a city built on water, |
| intricate bridges, countless museums, and an amazing | | | | plan to set aside time to see the series of |
| culture to boot. Time spent touring Venice will supply | | | | breathtaking, expansive bridges over the canals that |
| enough memories to last a lifetime. | | | | link the small island city together. Of particular interest |
| Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark's Square, is referred to | | | | are the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Just |
| as the heart of Venice. Having long been a meeting | | | | adjacent to the canal, tiny artisanal shops sell |
| place for city natives, it was referred to as the | | | | everything from Murano's famous glass to intricate |
| 'drawing room of Europe' by Napoleon. St. Mark's | | | | hand-made lace. After a full day of shopping in Venice, |
| Square is the quintessential postcard image, complete | | | | visitors will be ready for a night in to relax in one of the |
| with thousands of pigeons dotting every visible | | | | many sumptuous Venice hotels and inns. Delightedly, |
| surface, as well as the sky; and possibly housing half | | | | there is no shortage of customer-appointed hotels in |
| the population of Europe, too. Try to visit in the | | | | Venice and its surrounding villages so guests won't be |
| off-season to really have the opportunity to enjoy the | | | | disappointed. If visiting Venice at the right time of year, |
| majestic beauty of the square. | | | | after a good night's rest, visitors can start a new day |
| Sitting within the Piazza San Marco itself is St. Mark's | | | | at Carnevale, which is Italy's original version of New |
| Basilica, or Basilica di San Marco a Venezia, which is | | | | Orleans' Mardi Gras pre-Lenten celebration. |