Introduction
Around the world, few places capture the imagination quite like Venice. Its fabled canals and palaces possess a beguiling beauty unsurpassed anywhere else. No-one can forget their first view along the Grand Canal, Venice's main artery that bisects the city. Grandiose buildings in fabulous colours lean at extraordinary angles over the water - at any moment you feel they could collapse into the lagoon, and this most precious of cities disappear forever. Here the world is turned on its head - priceless art is commonplace and the bland is the exception: in its imperial hey-day Venice spent vast reserves of money on trinkets to augment its already beautiful architecture. Ships flying the flag of the Golden Lion brought back wealth from the Indies and the city shamelessly lavished it on fripperies, becoming famous for its decadence. It is a heritage that tourists now reap unashamedly. Everywhere you go you'll find works of art - in the architecture itself or within the walls of the palaces and basilicas that are liberally sprinkled in every area of the city. Venice is an ever-changing, living canvas. No other place has such a mutable geography where you can discover delightfully peaceful piazzas and deserted canals seemingly unmarked on any map. No two wanderings through its back alleys are ever the same (and aimlessly wandering the city can be thought of as quite possibly the best way to see it), and even people who have lived here for decades can still be surprised by a chance turning.
Where to go & What to see
Venice is a unique city and an ordinary street is an attraction in its own right. However, the many palazzi and piazze are absolutely stuffed with artistic and architectural treasures. All visitors to Venice should consider buying the Venice Card. This gives you use of the main tourist services around the city for its duration, including optional discounted Alilaguna transfers to and from the airport, vaporetto services in the city, use of public toilets around the city and admission to key museums and attractions. Venice cards are available for various durations of one, three or seven days, and are available in two versions - Blu, which gives free public transport and use of toilets, and Orange, which also includes admission to museums including the Doge's Palace