When Venice isn’t busy mimicking Atlantis, it is one of Italy’s finest holiday destinations; and not to mention considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Indeed, situated in northern Italy, Venice offers some of the most wonderful architecture in the world. But of course, upon hearing the word Venice it often evokes images of gondolas, canals, masked balls and beautiful architecture; which spring to mind in a torrent of colour and culture.
However, in recent times Venice has been suffering from some of the worst flooding in more than 20 years, as heavy wind and rains from the Adriatic raise the sea level by 156cm. This leaves both Venetians and tourists struggling through streets submerged under 80 centimetres of water.
With the Vaparasso (Venetian water buses) on strike, traversing the city is nigh on impossible, leaving people stuck inside until the flood waters begin to subside. And with Venice’s underwater dam project ‘Moses’ still under construction until 2011, it falls to the people to literally, bail themselves out in the meantime.
However, as soon as the sun is shining over Venice and the streets are dry, you should take the opportunity to wander along the hidden alleyways, backstreets and bridges that create a maze behind the Grand Canal; away from the scurrying tourists and home to some hidden gems. Back on the beaten track, you’ll find that St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge are among some of the most iconic landmarks in Italy, and will be buzzing with tourists and Venetians alike.
It is important to understand that Venice is at its busiest during the summer, Christmas and New Year; however, depending on your climate of preference, it may be recommended that you travel in the spring or autumn when the temperatures are also cooler.
Another great time to visit is during the month of February when the Venice Carnival is in full swing. At this time of year, hundreds of masked revellers take to the streets in period dress, and as a result can cause many hotels to be booked out months in advance. Therefore, if you wish to go then book early, and remember to bring a camera!
But if you choose to visit Venice, you may well find that Italy holidays prove to offer some of the most interesting and exciting destinations on earth. And once you have visited Italy for the first time, you may be encouraged to further discover a plethora of wonderful cities, which this fascinating country has to offer.
