Venice

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Introducing Venice

Venice defies description. Many have tried, from Goethe to Brodsky, but it has to be seen, felt and wandered through to be believed, and even then you may have trouble thinking it real. Yet no theme-park creator could ever have come up with this result of 1400 years of extraordinary history.

A city for meanderers, Venice rewards every minute devoted to penetrating its cat’s cradle of intertwined lanes. And while millions stream into this tiny city, it’s easy enough to find peace and discover the extraordinary: after all, barely a building here isn’t a unique monument of some sort. Parts of the Cannaregio, Dorsoduro and Castello sestieri (districts) are near empty of tourists. Lose yourself in the labyrinth – that’s part of the fun!

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Caffe Florian on Piazza San Marco.
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Caffe Florian on Piazza San Marco.

Lonely Planet photographer
  • Michael Gebicki
  • Lonely Planet photographer
  • Grand Canal gondolieris await passengers near Rialto Bridge.
  • Gondolas on Bacino Orseolo.
  • Passengers in vaporetto on Grand Canal.
  • Display, Ca' Macana Carnival mask and costume shop.
  • Alfresco diners on bank of Grand Canal near Rialto Bridge.
  • Moored gondolas, Bacino Orseolo.
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