Venice, Italy, is a truly unique
port of call on cruises of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. Serene and
elegant, with an air of genteel decay, the structures of Venice float just
above the water of the Laguna Veneta.
It’s a truly pedestrian city, as there are no cars: instead, water buses (vaporetti), water taxis and gondolas glide
along the canals, taking visitors from one lovely sight to another.
The first stop for many visitors
is the Saint Mark’s Square, a massive and gorgeous plaza surrounded by some of
the most famous places in Venice, including opulent Saint Mark’s Basilica,
which is beautiful inside and out. Next door is the impressive Doge’s Palace, another
treasure trove of art and history: the palace’s prisons were difficult to
escape, but the legendary romantic hero Casanova found a way. The plaza also
has a bell tower that you can climb for a wonderful view. After touring,
refresh yourself with a cappuccino at one of the plaza’s cafes, where the
people-watching can be superb.
It’s easy to spend an entire
day in the plaza, but there’s much more to see in and around Venice. Historic
churches, museums and art galleries abound. Take a vaporetto along the curvy Grand Canal to see the famous Rialto
Bridge, then browse the Rialto Market. To see the buildings along smaller canals
where the vaporetti cannot go, take a
romantic gondola ride.
Some of the islands in the
Venice lagoon will delight you with their distinctive personalities. If you are
interested in glassmaking, visit Murano and its famed glass factories. Burano
is known for handmade lace. Giudecca is an island of historic homes, and Lido
is the beach island of Venice.
While cruise ships of all
sizes can currently sail directly into the Venice lagoon, larger cruise ships
will soon take a different route. To help protect the lagoon, larger ships will
be re-routed, most likely to the Contorta Sant’Angelo channel on the west side
of Venice. While passengers on larger ships won’t be able to see as much of the
historic part of the city as their ships approach, once docked it’s a quick
water shuttle ride to Saint Mark’s Square and all the most stunning sights of
Venice.
To select a cruise itinerary
that will take you to the wonders of Venice, talk with Anita, your Cruise
Holidays personal cruise expert.
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