Venice, is a  major seaport, and capital of both the province of Venezia and the region of Veneto, in northern Italy. Venice is an island city, it was once the center of a maritime republic. It was the greatest seaport in late medieval Europe and the continent’s commercial and cultural link to Asia.  It remains a major Italian port in the northern Adriatic Sea and is one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centers.

The wealth that was garnered in this city as a major economic hub as an independent region focused on trade, can be seen with the ornate architecture and use of marble and gold. The visitor arriving in Venice is still transported into another world, one whose atmosphere and beauty remain incomparable. The beauty of St. Mark;s Square and Doge’s Palace are overwhelming.  Its framework of canals and narrow streets, void of cars, give it an authentic feel.

There are some concerns in recent years with rising water, extensive cruise ships, and large amounts of visitors. There is a huge focus on conservation and ways to eliminate flooding through technology. There is also a focus to promote responsible tourism. We recommend staying outside of the main area and going to only locally owned places as a start. We stayed in Arsenale, a small area just about 15 minutes away from the center and we were surrounded by locals. It was a terrific experience.

Neighborhoods: Venice has been separated into six areas since the 12^th century. All are cut along the Grand Canal, three on each bank. San Marco is the most well-known district. Piazza San Marco and the Basilica are in the center. The famous Rialto Bridge is slightly north. Do keep in mind when looking for accommodation, or restaurants that the closer to San Marco, the more expensive (and more touristy). Cannaregio is one of our favorite neighborhoods in that it is not too far from San Marco but offers a more local flavor. It lies north of San Marco and by the train station. You can find affordable accommodation on a canal in this district. Castello lies just east of San Marco and has some of the most five-star accommodation. On the east side, farther away from San Marco is a lovely area called Arsenale. It is the location of the former ship building yard and the greenest part of the island.  There is a beautiful park and lovely benches just tucked away from the Gran Canal. We stayed in a lovely apartment, owned by a family for generations. This is where the locals reside, and it is a great way to experience Venice, away from the crowds. San Polo sits just northwest of the Rialto Bridge. It does have more tourist traps due to its location so consider that when planning. Dorsoduro is the location of the gondola boatyard and many charming restaurants and places to stay. La Giudecca is located opposite of San Marco is a small working-class area of the island. Lido di Venezia is a narrow 11km area with beaches separating the lagoon from the sea. It is the location of the Venice Film Festival

*A special thank you to Oliver Astrologo for an incredibly beautiful and inspiring video. Every time I watch this video it gives me a chill. His attention to detail and seamless transitions make him one of the best filmmakers in the industry. Click on the video link and subscribe to his channel for more amazing videos! Be sure to look for Portugal, Japan, and Catalunya (they are also on this site). Click Visit Venice for the official travel site.