Venice is beautiful and romantic destination

Venice is one of the top travel cities not on in Italy but in the whole world. This beautiful and romantic destination with small, traffic-free streets winding along canals is much sought out by lovers, honeymooners and families.

The city is a sanctuary on a lagoon and is virtually the same as it was about 600 years ago, which only adds to its charm. Venice has much to offer in terms of magnificent churches and palaces, lively squares, and world-famous shopping opportunities.

Located on the northeast of Italy, Venice is protected from the Adriatic Sea by a strip of land called the Lido. Given its proximity to the sea, the city enjoys moderate weather in Venice though rain is a regular feature.

What to see in Venice

Bell tower of Saint Mark
The tower dates to 1912 and is an exact replica of the original that collapsed in 1902. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy great views of Venice and the lagoon.

Scuola grande di San Rocco
This guild house is a masterpiece of Tintoretto and represents Manierist art in its best. Ceiling mirrors offer a detailed view of the masterpiece.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto market and the Rialto Bridge attract a fair share of visitors. To the east, there are several small shops and restaurants while to the west there is the Rialto farmers' market. The bridge is one of the most recognizable icons of Venice and has a history that spans over 800 years. The present day structure was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524.

Zattere
You can enjoy a long, sunny walk along the Giudecca canal, which is protected from cold northerly winds in winters and is also shielded by buildings. You may also see how a gondola is made at a Venetian shipyard, across the canal near San Trovaso.

Accommodation in Venice
Venice is one city that has more tourists than actual residents and there are several accommodation options to suit all pockets from private Italy villas with all possible luxuries to budget guesthouses and hotels.

The best time to visit is during spring and fall when the crowds fall significantly and you can enjoy great discounts in accommodation and other facilities. It experiences flooding for about 60 days a year, from October to January.

Discover Some Lesser-Known Secrets of Venice
Booking accommodation at one of the excellent villas in Italy is just the beginning of what will no doubt be a magical holiday. If you've chosen to stay in or around Venice and you're wondering how to fill an itinerary, here are some great 'insider' tips to start you off.

Where to Stroll in Venice
When you're in Venice, which is home to some of the finest villas in Italy, even the simple task of taking a leisurely stroll becomes a deeply enjoyable experience in itself.

Venetians love their after lunch and after dinner strolls-and who can blame them with such a wonderful city to enjoy? The art of a stroll is so revered it even has its own name: passeggiata. If you want to know where the locals prefer, seek out the lovely Riva degli Schiavoni, located just off St Mark's Square.

If you happen to be renting one of the villas in Italy in summer, you'll find the canal filled with life as people from all parts of the world enjoy the sunshine and the stunning open views across the water.

The 'Other' Island to Visit in Venice

Venice is a fascinating city but with so much to see and do on the so-called 'tourist trail', it's easy to miss some of the lesser-known attractions. If you pay a visit to the very famous St. Marks Square (which you no doubt will), you can see the island of San Giorgio not so far away.

It's a lovely sight but surprisingly, however, it is common for tourists to pass up the opportunity to pay the island a visit-which is a real shame. There are some wonderful things to discover on San Giorgio and it is very easy to reach on a water bus - and it's cheap too.

Designed by Palladio (who is widely considered one of the best architects the Veneto has produced), San Giorgio Maggiore is a marvel of construction on the exterior and a treasure trove of art inside. It houses a number of important paintings by the great artists, including works by Tintoretto.

You can also take the elevator (what a luxury!) to the top of the bell tower to enjoy a stunning panorama of Venice laid out before you.

Staying in any of the lovely villas in Italy within easy access of Venice will place you in the ideal position to explore this unique, magical and historical city.