I always feel one enjoys a place more if one has heard or read something of it before he visits, and especially even more if it is his/her’s dream destination. Venice was one of those places which had intrigued me for long after hearing all those vivid descriptions, stories in textbooks , seeing all those pictures in papers, movies, music video’s(remember Madonna’s ’’Like a virgin’’) etc etc. So I had some vision of that place in my mind before I landed and could’nt believe that I was finally there , to really experience it personally.

   As soon as I landed ,I was searching for those narrow watery lanes in between those typical italian styled villas, those gondolas, those arch’s, bridges , and was thrilled to find them just as I had imagined. The old historic center of Venice is situated three miles from the mainland on 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon. The islands are connected to each other by an intricate lattice of canals. Auto traffic is almost non-existent in this city, and those who feel that the gondolas are only for the tourist trade can easily confine themselves to the narrow footpaths and bridges that open out onto the many church-filled squares.   

   The Grand Canal, with its bobbing boatmen, winds around the largest of the squares, Piazza San Marco, heart of Venice (St. Mark’s Square). This is the traditional postcard scene of Venice, with its famous cafes, its Byzantine basilica and its legion of hungry pigeons. It’s a must for anybody to take a trip in those beautiful gondolas eventhough its a bit expensive, if one has to really feel the aura and mystique of this place.   It is only these traditional boats(gondolas) , that can take you thro’ those narrow watery bylanes , a closer view of those old amost crumbling structures in water, those small bridges connecting two adjoining footpaths(called riva or a fondamenta) etc etc. Some gondolas even have singers belting out Italian songs all in Pavorotti style , to recreate that traditional Italian environment . Most of the huge arched bridges in this city has some history or story connected to it.   

    I personally found the place around San Marco square too crowded, and was a relief to take a stroll in other nearby islands( Murano....), which boasts of famous churches, museums, painting galleries . Its a pleasure to walk in those narrow bylanes of some of these islands , where u can shop for those famous Venetian glasswares.(especially in Murano island ) Some of these lanes also r lined by those exquisite, expensive, designer boutiques of Armanis, Gucci’s....   Other visiting places are Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), Palazzo Corner della Regina(a beautiful palace, now a library), Campanile, a tall brick bell tower (eiffel view of surrounding isles). Another island which I really loved and freaked out, was the Lido island. This place is really posh, modern, haute’ and some sort of a resort island. This has the famous hot, sultry and beautiful Lido beach,(venue for annual Venice film festival) where u can relax the whole day , after all those sight seeing .   

   And finally dont forget to take a crusie in any of the boats in the night guided by those street lights in the water!!!! Usually accomodation is a slight problem, as most of the moderately priced ones ($50-$70)are booked, especially in the summer, so some advance planning would be better. But is a delight to gaze at the surrounding shimmering waters from ur hotel room in the night, and doze off for a memorable starry dreamy night .

Type of Travel:	Business Travel
Duration of Stay:	More than 2 months
Average Expenditure:	Moderate (less than Rs.2000/day)
Group Size:	Less than five
Best Suited For:	Couples
Best Time to Travel:	Sept - Nov