The city of Venice is one of the world’s most romantic cities. However, underneath the romance is a city built on sheer nerve and artistry. An engineering marvel, the buildings of Venice are supported by pine and slender oak posts that are driven deep into the mud banks for stability, creating a solid foundation.
Venice was founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, which are joined by meandering links of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements.
The city houses some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, and is still one of Italy’s centres of industrious artisans and craftsmen. Four-star meals are cooked on a single burner, musicians lug enormous instruments to baroque concerts and master shoemakers pound out a staccato rhythm as they fashion shoes into the shapes of swans. There is nothing like the chic bohemian style of Venice, with its wines, Venetian-red paintings and baroque music.
Venice is not a city of genteel decay, but one preciously being restored by wealthy benefactors and enhanced by contemporary architecture and back-alley galleries.
Completing the picture are the gondoliers piloting their boats through the bustling city; ferrying couples in love through the towering edifices of Venice’s alleys and canals.
A modern city with fabulous food, friendly natives, and marble churches, Venice is more accessible than ever before and is very affordable. After an evening spent rubbing elbows with the locals in the authentic pubs and restaurants, you may never want to return home again.
Cheap flights to Venice are available from most international airports.
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