Venice- Venecia

There is no other city like Venice. It has 180 canals, 450 bridges and magnificent palaces. It is a city rich in museums and historical buildings of great artistic and cultural importance. Add to that the transient feeling and the quiet everyday life. The beauty of it all is truly apparent.
Refugees founded Venice. When Germanic tribes ravaged northern Italy in the 5th century, many people escaped to this difficult-to-access area on the Adriatic Sea. Over the centuries the refugee community grew in to the most powerful trading port in the Mediterranean. At its peak, Venice had 3 000 trade ships and 300 navy vessels. After the fall of Napoleon, Venice was ruled by the Austrians. But after the 1848 uprising, the city once again gained its independence. Shortly after, in 1866, Venice became part of Italy. 1932 saw the opening of the motor and rail bridge between Venice and the mainland. That was to be the start of Venice as a tourist destination. It is hard to navigate around the city, but don’t let that put you off as this is part of Venice’s charm. Leave the other tourists at St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge and explore the labyrinth of little neighbourhoods instead. The most interesting areas and islands are Cannaregio, SanPolo/Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.