The Grand Canal

Venice, I'm sure you already know, is totally different from all other places.  It is not only very beautiful but also very old.  While the buildings may be old looking on the outside some are lavishly decorated on the inside. In this city, well known for its canals, you can get from place to place by gondola, ferry or on foot.  There are no motor vehicles in the old city and the bridges only allow pedestrian traffic.

If you don't wish to pay the going price for a gondola ride (they are fairly expensive) take a ferry instead. The ferries are always full of people as the residents of Venice use them to commute from place to place.  Did you know that there are 160 canals in Venice with approximately 118 isles and about 400 bridges to link them? The Grand Canal itself is about 3 kilometres or 2 miles long.

Ferry on the Canal

Ponte di Rialto

Two of the better known bridges in Venice are the Ponte di Rialto and the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs).  The latter was built just before 1600 to link the Ducal Palace with the dungeons.  It was given its name as a reminder of the sighs from the prisoners that crossed over it while waiting to be sentenced.  Ooooh!  Aaaah!

Ponte dei Sospiri

Canal between Buildings

While walking you won't possibly be able to miss the souvenir stalls as they are absolutely everywhere.  Among other things you can purchase (or simply look at) souvenirs like lovely little masks that are elaborately decorated with gold and other colours.  These are very artistically created.  Small replica gondolas are of course very popular souvenirs and are in plentiful supply.

 Waiting Gondolas

St Mark's Square & Basilica

Naturally, a visit to St Mark's Square with its basilica is a must as it is the 'numero uno' place to be in Venice.  The square is extremely huge.  Apart from tourists, it has to accommodate enormous numbers of pigeons that fly in to be hand fed.  They will land on you and even compete with each other for the food that you give them.  All around the square are cafes, so please sit down, rest your weary legs and have a cappuccino (yes!), soft drink or whatever you fancy.  The shops in the many arcades have jewellery, arts and crafts and needlework articles too.  Happy souvenir hunting!