| With European cruises increasing in popularity, | | | | often enough for the city to build elevated |
| more and more Americans passengers are likely | | | | walkways around. |
| to make port in some of the great cities of the | | | | Nearby is the Doge's Palace. Doge (dough-jay) is |
| Mediterranean. One of the oldest of these harbor | | | | the name the Venetians gave to their ruler back |
| towns is still a top port of call for modern cruise | | | | in the day when Venice was an independent |
| lines: Venice. | | | | nation. It's a sumptuous kind of place, fit for a |
| Venice is not like anywhere else on earth. It's not | | | | monarch, but most tourists enjoy the lesser |
| the only city that is laced with canals (Amsterdam | | | | accommodations better. The Doge had so many |
| has canals, too, so does Stockholm), and it's not | | | | enemies he annexed a prison to the palace which |
| the only city with an ancient past (Rome probably | | | | is reached by crossing the Bridge of Sighs. There |
| beats Venice in the historical department and | | | | is a self-guided tour of the prison but it is very |
| Florence definitely edges her out in art). But there | | | | important to stick to the pathways marked. You |
| is something incredibly different and delightful | | | | are perfectly free to wander around as you see |
| about Venice. | | | | fit, but the place is like a honeycomb and you can |
| You can't drive in Venice. Entrance in and out of | | | | get lost. |
| the city is by boat (you take a water taxi from | | | | Getting lost is a typical Venetian experience. The |
| the airport), so arriving by cruise ship is close to | | | | city is full of unmarked streets, twisted lanes, and |
| the way the city was meant to be approached. | | | | narrow passageways. |
| Once in Venice, you navigate on foot or by boat. | | | | One of Venice's favorite native sons was reputed |
| By far, the quickest, easiest, and least expensive | | | | to have been lost. Marco Polo lived in Venice and |
| way to go from point A to point B is to jump on | | | | set out for China, where he spent 20 years. |
| the boat-bus, called a vaporetto. You buy tickets | | | | When he returned, he was vilified by Venetians |
| for it just like the bus. If you're a cruise | | | | who called him "The Liar" for making up stories. |
| passenger in town for the day, it may pay for | | | | You can visit his home. It is located on a short |
| you to buy a pass good for the whole day. Not | | | | cul-de-sac named "The Liar"The Liar." |
| only could it save you some lire, you don't have | | | | Venice was always better known for commerce |
| to hassle with buying tickets when you want to | | | | than art, but there are some artistic treasures. If |
| get a ride. | | | | you like eating what the locals do, you're going to |
| Water taxis are another option, but they're a bit | | | | try seafood and a dry sparkling wine called |
| more expensive. Even more expensive, but | | | | Prosecco. Of course, most tourists end up |
| delightfully romantic and unique, are gondolas. | | | | enjoying more generic Italian favorites here, too, |
| Expect to fork out a lot of money for the | | | | such as cappuccino or espresso and rich gelato. |
| experience, but, trust me, it will be an experience. | | | | If you have time, take a vaporetto out to Lido |
| Most Venetians get around by foot, and you | | | | island. It's an island that's just a short boat-bus |
| probably will, too. The city has all the twists and | | | | ride from the main drag (the Grand Canal) and |
| turns you'd expect from an ancient town. The | | | | there is more relaxed (and less expensive) |
| city is crisscrossed with twisting and turning | | | | shopping and some beaches. |
| canals, leaving you occasionally in the strange | | | | Another great thing to check out is Murano, an |
| predicament of being able to see where you want | | | | island famous for colorful hand-blown glass. You |
| to go but not being able to find a passable route | | | | can buy Murano glassware all over Venice, |
| to get there. Relax, Venice has something | | | | including a special design known as mille-fiori |
| interesting practically around every corner, so | | | | (thousand-flowers). In Murano, you can watch |
| even if you get lost, you'll probably still do a lot of | | | | artisans at work and get a much broader |
| great sightseeing. | | | | sampling of their products. But expect to see |
| The biggest tourist spot in town is the Piazza San | | | | Murano glass in most of the shops. |
| Marco where St. Mark's Cathedral is located. You | | | | Glass purchases from large stores can be shipped |
| can tour the cathedral and even climb the towers | | | | to you at home; most shopkeepers will be able to |
| (not hard) to get a panoramic view of the square. | | | | make such arrangements, at least for larger |
| Legend holds that the cathedral contains the | | | | purchases. |
| grave of St. Mark, author of the Gospel according | | | | Venice is a well-known city for tourists. It always |
| to St. Mark. | | | | has been, and cruise ships and package tours to |
| You'll see a lot of pigeons in the square and a lot | | | | Europe continue to feature it prominently. But |
| of tourists. Depending on when you travel, you | | | | Venice is also a very personal kind of city. Two |
| may also see scaffolding or wooden walkways | | | | tourists visiting the city on any given day can |
| around the plaza. These aren't risers for a concert | | | | walk away with distinctly different impressions |
| or show. They're footpaths to help the locals | | | | and experiences. |
| traverse the square when it floods, which it does | | | | |