Endless Holiday

Venice is a city in northern Italy with a population of approximately 270,000. It is known throughout the world for industry as well as tourism. Situated on the Adriatic Sea and dominating Mediterranean commerce for centuries, Venice is regarded by many travelers as the world’s most beautiful city. With over 50,000 visitors a day, it is also a highly popular vacation destination. In 2007, it ranked 27th on the list of the world’s most internationally visited cities, with over 2.9 million arrivals that year.

The Venice Cruise Port

Venice is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world with over 700,000 passengers on 550 ships arriving and departing each year. The port sits inside the Venetian Lagoon and is connected to the Adriatic Sea by a narrow passage. Visiting Venice is a once in a lifetime experience and the cruise venue is a wonderful avenue through which this can be accomplished. Those who are docking in Venice on their Southern European cruise may wish to consider the following attractions:

Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is an outstanding historical palace in Piazza San Marco that was once the seat of Italy’s government as well as the home of the elected Doge of Venice. A person can take a traditional tour of this beautiful, unique structure or opt for a tour called the “Secret Itineraries tour.” The latter is a guided excursion during which one can explore the palace’s elaborate interior and intricately decorated rooms, as well as cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs to the Prisoner’s Palace.

Image by Gerhard Bögner

Gondola Rides

No trip to Venice is complete without a gondola ride on which visitors can travel the canals of city and be serenaded as they go. Gondoliers offer live performances on such rides each day and cruise passengers docked in Venice will not wish to miss this attraction as it ideally captures the magic of Venice.

Saint Mark’s Basilica

Visiting churches in Italy is a popular activity of many European travelers and Saint Mark’s Basilica is one of the most extravagant structures in all of Europe. With ceiling to floor mosaics, spectacular domes and marble pillars featuring multiple colors it is easy to see why this is one of the world’s most famous churches.

Image by Manfred Zajac

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is a celebrated tourist attraction that is much more than just a way to cross the Grand Canal. One of the oldest bridges in Venice, the Rialto offers stunning scenery to those making the trek across the water and visitors will find a vast array of shops and boutiques set up directly on the bridge, making it possible to sight see and shop at the same time. Those who do not wish to cross the water will be pleased to find there are numerous restaurants on the canal where one can eat lunch while enjoying a spectacular view of the Bridge. Whichever attractions a visitor chooses when docking in Venice, he or she is sure to remember the experience for many years to come and want to return again soon.