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Welcome to Venice

Venice is a landmark on its own, unique and intriguing since its humble beginnings until the present day. In other words, Venice seduces and captivates with its architecture, culture, and omnipresent ambiance of quaint romance. A swamp might seem like a strange place to build one of the greatest cities in Italian history. However, considering the circumstances that led to its foundation, it was the perfect place to make one’s home. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Italian mainland suffered from frequent Barbarian rampages. So, the first people to settle in the Venetian lagoon came looking for nothing more than a safe refuge. The settlers craftily improved their swampy circumstances by building a “terra semi-firma.” How? They used wood pylons driven thirty meters (100 feet) into the wet sand. 

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Top Experiences in Venice


What makes Venice special

Visit St. Mark’s Basilica

The centerpiece of all Venice attractions is, without doubt, St. Mark’s sumptuous Basilica. For years it served only as a personal church for the Doge of Venice. However, today, it can be enjoyed by all and makes for top sights in Venice. The grandeur of the Basilica’s five Byzantine domes, sparkling mosaic portals and columns is biblical and stops you dead in your tracks. Inside is a feast for the eyes, a veritable treasure trove of visual delights. More mosaics adorn the ceilings and walls, a glory of shimmering splendor, and then, of course, there is the presbytery, crypt and treasury (with all the loot collected from the Crusades). Let's go

Take a tour of the Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale in Italian) should rank high on your “what to do in Venice” itinerary. Sitting in St. Mark’s square, but facing out to the canal means that when you catch sight of the Doge’s Palace from afar, it looks as if it’s floating on water. This sets the tone for a truly remarkable and significant building. The Palace was once the residence of the Doge (leader) of Venice and was the political and administrative seat of the Republic. With stunning views overlooking the lagoon, the building is decorated with 14th-century statues and is definitely one of the top sights in Venice.  Let's go

Glide Around on a Gondola

Venice consists of more than 100 islands all built on the waters of the Adriatic Sea. The barrier Island of Lido means that the rest of Venice is well protected from the tides of the Adriatic turning the waterways, for which the city is known, into a gondolier’s paradise. Of all the fun things to do in Venice, a gondola ride takes top spot and what’s more, it is a quintessential Venice experience. Can you imagine coming home after a trip to the watery city and not having gone for a spin in a gondola? Of course, you can’t! And, just think, If you’re on a romantic trip and lucky enough, your gondolier might just serenade you.  Let's go

Casanova Museum Venice

If you’re wondering what to do in Venice, then the newly opened Casanova Museum. It’s the first museum, not only in Italy, but the world dedicated entirely to the extraordinary man. Casanova was the champion seducer and a libertine rumored to have bedded over 120 women. He was also a poet, philosopher, publisher of books on mathematics, actor, priest, and even a spy. Go beyond the myth of the man and explore his literature, documents, clothing and everyday objects. The exhibition is immersive, mixing virtual experiences with interactive exhibits and also provides an insight into Venice at the time. Let's go

Catch a Glass Blowing Demonstration

Venetians took glassmaking to a whole new level combining Roman experience with the skills brought from the Orient. The first traces of the glassblowing technique emerged in the 8th century. Though, it took around 400 years for it to become a known trade. Glassblowing was such as unique skill with unmatched results that glassmakers were incredibly well paid and enjoyed many social advantaged above their status. All that just to keep them from spreading their know-how! So, if you want to see a tangible piece of history that lives and amazes us to this day, grasp an opportunity to see a glassblowing demonstration!
Let's go

Things to do in Venice

Venice is a landmark on its own, unique and intriguing since its humble beginnings until the present day. In other words, Venice seduces and captivates with its architecture, culture, and omnipresent ambiance of quaint romance. A swamp might seem like a strange place to build one of the greatest cities in Italian history. However, considering the circumstances that led to its foundation, it was the perfect place to make one’s home. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Italian mainland suffered from frequent Barbarian rampages. So, the first people to settle in the Venetian lagoon came looking for nothing more than a safe refuge. The settlers craftily improved their swampy circumstances by building a “terra semi-firma.” How? They used wood pylons driven thirty meters (100 feet) into the wet sand. 

The more invaders returned, the more people sought sanctuary in the lagoon. 
 
The six kilometers (three miles) of shallow water between Venice and mainland protected the city for over 1400 years. It isolated it not only from the invaders but also often quarrelsome Italian political life. Venice stayed utterly unaffected by imperialist warfare, feudalism, and territorial disputes. Instead, the city turned its attention to the East, the home of vibrant markets such as Alexandria and Constantinople. Gradually, a peaceful lagoon grew into a commercial empire.
 
Venice’s political, economic, and cultural prosperity peaked in Middle Ages. During this period, Venice became the city of art, culture, and innovation we know today. One of the great markers in its history was the election of the first Doge of Venice, a step that was way ahead of its time. The second pivotal event was bringing relics of Saint Mark from Alexandria and, consequently, the construction of Saint Mark’s Basilica. Today, if you search for what to do in Venice, St Mark's Basilica, along the lovely square in front of it, will be among the top suggestions. 
 
Venice has been called by many names: The Floating city, City of Bridges, and the City of Love… You can make your trip romantic, educational, exploratory or all of the above. It is indeed up to you which alluring aspect of Venice you want to experience because all of them will astound you. Scroll through the page to discover all the fantastic things to do in Venice!

Top Tour in Venice

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