The Italian city of Venice is one of the most popular and iconic vacation destinations in the world and consists of 118 small islands formed by some 150 canals in the marshy Venetian Lagoon, located in the Adriatic Sea, in northeastern Italy. World famous for its canals, it has remained remarkably unchanged over the last 400 years, and most transportation in the city center is by foot or water.

With a history dating back to the 9th century, the city prospered thanks to its capacity as a city of commerce and by the 18th century it had become perhaps the most elegant and refined city in Europe, with a great influence on literature, art and architecture. Although it faced decline after its capture by Napoleon, it became a popular tourist destination and is a monument to the glory days of the Renaissance.

Although the main tourist season in Venice is summer, spring or autumn is probably the best time to visit: there are fewer tourists, which means it’s easier to get around and see the sights, plus the weather is more bearable for visitors from colder areas. climates The Carnival of Venice, which this year took place between January 25 and February 5, may have disappeared, but there are still many other things for tourists to see and experience.

Saint Mark’s Square is the main square in Venice. Known by Alfred de Musset as “the drawing room of Europe”, it is a central landmark and gathering point in Venice, popular with tourists, photographers and Venetian pigeons! Originally a small area in front of the original St Mark’s Basilica Cathedral, the area has expanded considerably and is a great starting point to see the sights and landmarks of Venice. In addition to St. Mark’s Basilica, other nearby attractions include the Doge’s Palace, the Napoleonic Wing of the Procurator’s Offices, the Procuratie Nuove, and the Biblioteca Marciana.

Venice has some wonderful restaurants, offering the cuisine of the Veneto region. As with any vacation destination, the best deals are available at restaurants outside the vicinity of tourist attractions. One of the staples of the Venetian diet is cuttlefish and its ink. Although intense in color, black ink has a relatively mild flavor and serves as a sauce and ingredient for polenta (cornmeal), pasta, and risotto dishes.

Venice is packed on every corner with small shops selling souvenirs, the most common being Carnival masks, glass and marbled paper. The price can vary a lot from one store to another, so it is advisable to shop around before buying something to take home. Please note that many items labeled ‘Made in Venice’ are actually made in China; for example, original Murano glass, made on the Venetian island of Murano, can cost up to thousands of euros, but counterfeit pieces can be found at a significantly lower price in several of Venice’s tourist shops.

As a popular tourist destination, accommodation in Venice can be very expensive, but if you book your trip well in advance and shop around for the best deals, you should be able to find something to fit any budget. To get to Venice, travelers can take advantage of cheap flights to nearby Marco Polo or Treviso airports and from there take a shuttle or arrange private transfers to reach their final destinations with ease.

So if you’re looking for wonderful sights and cuisine in one of Europe’s most iconic cities, try a trip to Venice this spring.