| v> | | | | been converted to hotels, and if you can, try to get |
| | | | a room in one of these. The architecture is |
| Venice vacations make you think of canals, art | | | | breathtaking and most of the rooms are huge, |
| galleries and palaces, and that is exactly what you | | | | although many have been reduced in size to |
| get. However, you can also have entertainment and | | | | accommodate more guests. Another thing you |
| fun, and don't forget the delicious Italian cuisine, | | | | must do when in Venice is to visit the surrounding |
| including their famous wines. Many people vacation in | | | | area of Veneto - Venice is the capital city of this |
| Venice for while, and then move base to visit other | | | | Italian region. You might not have time to visit |
| parts of Northern Italy that we shall come to shortly. | | | | Verona, of Romeo and Juliet fame, but you should |
| Venice vacations make you think of canals, art | | | | visit Vicenza. |
| galleries and palaces, and that is exactly what you | | | | No Venice vacations should miss Vicenza, the |
| get. However, you can also have entertainment and | | | | birthplace of Palladio, arguably the most influential |
| fun, and don't forget the delicious Italian cuisine, | | | | architect of all time. It is also a UNESCO World |
| including their famous wines. Many people vacation in | | | | Heritage Site, and The Rotunda in the town is |
| Venice for while, and then move base to visit other | | | | typically Palladio. The Teatro Olimpico is Europe's |
| parts of Northern Italy that we shall come to shortly. | | | | oldest indoor theatre, and there are many more |
| A vacation in Venice is best enjoyed if you receive | | | | Palladio buildings in this picturesque town. If you do |
| personal attention, with your own private car and | | | | have time to visit Verona, apart from the |
| boat - not shared between you and 50 others all | | | | Shakespeare connection (The Two Gentlemen of |
| with their own agendas. There is nothing as good as | | | | Verona, as well as Romeo and Juliet) you will a find a |
| a private boat tour round the canals of Venice and a | | | | well preserved Roman amphitheatre here - the |
| luxury hotel set right on the Grand Canal itself - the | | | | Arena. This is currently used for outdoor concerts. |
| main thoroughfare of this wonderfully romantic city. | | | | If you like Roman remains, Padua is another old |
| Venice consists of 118 islands in a large lagoon and | | | | Roman city close by. I suppose Roman cities in Italy |
| around 150 canals. Although it is believed to be slowly | | | | should not be surprising! |
| sinking, it will not do so while you are there! Venice | | | | Most people on Venice vacations like to try some of |
| is famous for its explorers (Venezuela was named | | | | the great Italian wines grown in the region, such as |
| after it - Little Venice), artists and musicians, boasting | | | | Soave, Bardolino and Valpolicella. In fact, it is best to |
| such famous names as Marco Polo, Cabot, Titian, | | | | leave Venice once you have visited what you want |
| Bellini, Vivaldi and, of course, Casanova! No wonder, | | | | to see, and change base to visit other parts of |
| then, that Venice offers so many museums, art | | | | northern Italy. The vineyards and wineries around |
| galleries and other centers of culture. | | | | here welcome visitors to come in and have a taste. |
| The center, if there is one, is St. Mark's Square and | | | | Milan too is a must, particularly if you are fashion |
| the Doge's Palace that was decorated by some of | | | | conscious, and if you get the chance to visit Lake |
| the best known renaissance artists. Not far away is | | | | Como, then take it. This Y shaped lake is the third |
| the famous Bridge of Sighs, allegedly so called after | | | | largest lake in Italy and one of the deepest in Europe |
| the sighs of the prisoners crossing it to Venice's | | | | with the bottom about 656 feet below sea level. |
| prison. The gallery of St. Marks' church contains the | | | | There are a lot of good hotels around here, |
| bronze horses of Constantinople, brought to Venice | | | | particularly around Lake Maggiore that has some |
| during the Second Crusade of 1147 - 1149 among | | | | great little islands you can explore, and you don't |
| other artistic treasures. | | | | have to remain in Venice if you want to enjoy the |
| The lagoon is home, not only to Venice, but also to | | | | north of Italy in general. |
| some major islands including Murano, famous for its | | | | Venice vacations have a great deal to offer those |
| glass. If you want to make the most of your Venice | | | | interested in culture, particular architecture and other |
| vacation, don't fail to visit the magnificent glass | | | | forms of physical art, but try to enjoy Venice in |
| museum with some unbelievable works made from | | | | style. Personal attention is well worth getting, |
| blown glass, or check out the Byzantine mosaics in | | | | particularly after traveling all this way, and you can't |
| the church of Santa Maria Assunta on the island of | | | | beat your own personal guide, boat, car and business |
| Torcello. Another of the lesser known areas to | | | | class flights to really make a holiday the luxury and |
| tourists is the Squero de San Trovaso where you | | | | pampered experience it should be. Make sure that |
| can see gondolas being built and repaired at the | | | | you visit Northern Italy, and lake Como and Maggiore |
| boatyard, one of the very few left in Venice, a | | | | because they offer the simpler luxuries that can |
| major city that used to be one of the greatest | | | | sometimes be overlooked during your Venice |
| maritime cities in Europe. | | | | vacation. |
| Venice is famous for its palaces, although most have | | | | |