Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to Venice
Imagine the audacity of building a city of marble palaces on a
lagoon - and that was only the start.
Epic Grandeur
Never was a thoroughfare so aptly named as the Grand Canal, reflecting the glories of
Venetian architecture lining its banks. At the end of Venice's signature waterway, Palazzo
Ducale and Basilica di San Marco add double exclamation points. But wait until you see
what's hiding in narrow backstreets: neighbourhood churches lined with Veroneses and
priceless marbles, Tiepolo's glimpses of heaven on homeless-shelter ceilings, and a tiny Ti-
tian that mysteriously lights up an entire cathedral.
Venetian Feasts
Garden islands and lagoon aquaculture yield speciality produce and seafood you won't find
elsewhere - all highlighted in inventive Venetian cuisine, with tantalising traces of ancient
spice routes. The city knows how to put on a royal spread, as France's King Henry III once
found out when faced with 1200 dishes and 200 bonbons. Today such feasts are available
in miniature at happy hour, when bars mount lavish spreads of
cicheti
(Venetian tapas).
Save room and time for a proper sit-down Venetian meal, with lagoon seafood to match
views at canalside bistros, and toasts with Veneto's signature bubbly,
prosecco
.
Historic Firsts
The city built on water was never afraid to attempt the impossible. When plague struck,
Venice consulted its brain trust of Mediterranean doctors, who recommended a precaution
that has saved untold lives since: quarantine. Under attack by Genovese rivals, Venice's
Arsenale shipyards innovated the assembly line, producing a new warship every day to de-
feat Genoa. After Genoa backed Christopher Columbus' venture to the New World,
Venice's shipping fortunes began to fade - but Venice wasn't about to relinquish the world
stage, going on to become the launching pad for baroque music and modern opera.
