Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Venice is a city of palaces, dating from the days when the city was the world's richest.
The most lavish palaces formed a grand architectural cancan along the Grand Canal. Once
frescoed in reds and blues, with black-and-white borders and gold-leaf trim, they made
Venice a city of dazzling color. This cruise is the only way to truly appreciate the palaces,
approaching them at water level, where their main entrances were located. Today,strict laws
prohibit anychanges inthese buildings, sowhile landowners gnashtheir teeth, wecanenjoy
Europe'sbest-preservedmedievalcity—slowlyrotting.Manyofthegrandbuildingsarenow
vacant. Others harbor chandeliered elegance above mossy, empty (often flooded) ground
floors.
