Venice is more than just another romantic place. It’s more than a city filled with art treasures, and it doesn’t just host a multitude of some fine architecture. Venice is all of this and much, much more.

One small example of many in the city of Venice is St. Mark’s Basilica. St. Peter’s in Rome is the rival of this church and although St. Mark’s Basilica isn’t as grand or large as St. Peter’s, it definitely still offers some of the finest works of architecture anywhere.

The Campanile can be found outside the Basilica di San Marco, which served as its belltower. Previously this place has been a military lookout during dangerous times to help keep Venice safe. Nowadays the church serves no purpose other than aesthetically but the sight is delightful and cherished by tourists who are lucky enough to visit.

The Piazza is what hosts the previously mentioned places, along with other sights such as St. Mark’s Square. The Square is a great gathering spot along with a beautiful sight seeing experience. Housing a magnificent clock tower and providing access to the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square ads plenty of grace and charm to Venice while providing silence from traffic and auto noise.

Venice is best known for other things like gondola rides through its canals. While boating down the city’s main waterway (the Grand Canal) or through the many different secondary channels, a magnificent view of the city can be had.

The Rialto can be found along the Grand Canal, along with other main bridges that cross it. Moving up the Canal in a vaporetto or in a gondola provides some of the best vantage points for spectacular views.

The Grand Canal offers easy access to the loggia of the Ca’ d’Oro and just a short ride on a vaporetto will take you to the Palazzo Grassi. Both places are very good examples of Venetian architecture.

In other examples, a short boat ride away offers different styles of Venice such as the Villas of Venice. Beginning in the early 1700s, Villa Pisani was modeled on Versailles in Paris. A creation which is one of many by the world famous architect Palladino can be found at La Rotunda. And Villa Cornaro as well as the Villa Contatini- Camerini are housed by Padova.

A short trip outside the main city offers several islands to explore. One island (Murano) displays the famous glass works of Venice’s Artisans, who have been renowned for centuries in this art. Another island named Burano holds a museum dedicated to the Lace that craftsmen have provided the world for centuries can be found here.

A master renaissance painter named Tintoretto offers a large collection of his works displayed at the Scoula Grande di San Rocca. Near by, the Gallerie dell’ Accademia offers plenty of other art masterpieces from renowned artists. Other Venice paintings, architecture and opera can be found in one spot at La Fenice.

If visiting Venice during the 2 weeks before lent, participate in Carnevale by becoming a theater performer yourself. A mask to take home is a trophy you’ll never want to forget. With wonderful people living in Venice and the wonders of their culture, art and architecture, no other place will bring on a smile that will last a lifetime.