Venice, the city built directly on canals, has attracted explorers down the centuries. The port city serves as a critical element in the shipping world and has drawn the attention of famous explorers like Marco Polo. Today, visitors of all ages are enchanted by the beauty and history of this famous Italian city.

If you are interested in visiting a unique section of Italy, look no further than the fantastic Northern Italian city of Venice. Just like any other section of the country, Venice has a distinct style in art, architecture, food, and people. Since it was so prevalent in the shipping routes, Venice has a unique Turkish flair, incorporating Byzantine designs into architecture and coating every available surface with gold.

San Marco or St. Mark's Basilica is the fantastic edifice that was restored for the Jubilee year of 2000 and is now more breathtaking than ever! With all the gold, mosaics, and carvings freshly cleaned, San Marco is a sight worth seeing. The building is famous all over the world for the four horses that stand guard over the basilica. It is said that these four equines originally came from Constantinople, and were subsequently looted by Napoleon Bonaparte. They were returned years later in 1815.

The piazza where the basilica is situated is known for its pigeon population and is just as famous as the building itself. However, if you are bird shy, you can watch from the arcades on either side of it. But, you must not miss out on the beautiful Doge's Palace and all the shops in the square.

A city built on canals and lagoons would no doubt have an abundance of bridges. But the "Bridge of Sighs" takes the cake. You can easily see this bridge from the Grand Canal, as it is located straight near the Piazza San Marco. The bridge is so called because prisoners used to pass through this beautiful 17th century bridge to reach their cells.

The other famous bridge in Venice is the Rialto Bridge, which straddles the Grand Canal. Shops line both sides of this famous bridge, allowing visitors to purchase a wide variety of Venetian goods. Legend states that couples who kiss while riding under the bridge on the city’s classic gondolas will remain in love forever.

Gondolas are the historic long black boats navigated by striped shirted gondoliers in the narrow canals using only a pole and a master's knowledge of the canal system. Most of these gondoliers will sing a song for you but they do expect to be tipped generously.

You must have heard of the world famous Murano glass. This is manufactured in Venice. Some of the world's biggest glass companies are located in Murano, a tiny island not far from the Piazza San Marco. A visit to these factories would be a great learning experience for you, as you would see how these masterful craftsmen shape molten glass into beautiful things.