Fascinating Venice

Located in the northeast of Italy, Venice is well-known for its cultural treasures, romantic atmosphere and unusual living-on-water experience. The city spreads out over 118 islands, which are linked by more than 400 bridges, in the Venetian Lagoon.

Venice’s historical center consists of six regions. San Polo in the middle and San Marco in the south, the busiest main regions, are linked by the Rialto Bridge. The famous stone arch bridge crosses Venice’s main waterway-----the Grand Canal. When night falls, many tourists enjoy dinner at the outside tables by the Grand Canal while watching colorfully lit boats going by.

Near the end of the S-shaped Grand Canal lies St. Mark’s Basilica, a must-see. Inside, beautiful mosaics tells stories of Bible figures. Nearby are the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. These were made famous by Lord Byron, “I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand.” Legend has it that if a couple passes under the bridge, their love will last forever.

In the square outside the Basilica, lovers of literature can sit at Caffe Florian, regarded as the oldest coffee house in Europe. Charles Dickens, Henry James as well as Lord Byron enjoyed the wonderful drink here.

Art lovers should buy a museum pass and visit some of the city’s unusual museums. They can view works by Venetian masters like Giovanni, Titian and Tintoretto.

On five small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Murano has been home to glass-makers since 1291. tourists can visit factories, studios and the Glass Museum. Glass artists produce everything from simple souvenir pieces to beautiful works of modern art. Only glassworks made using traditional methods on Murano can be called Murano Glass. The nearby island of Burano is famous for lace making and colorful houses. Looking at the colorful houses and kaleidoscopic streets makes people feel as if they were walking in the fairy tale.

The City of Water promises beauty of all kinds, and it definitely lives up to its promise.