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Vashi2Panvel.com: Navi Mumbai: January 12: "No words can describe the freshness of the air…the sparkling of water under the rays of the sun, which shines in the blue sky."
- Henry James on Venice. Welcome to Italy's best-loved city. Venice, the land of buildings that seem to float on water. Once you get out of Santa Lucia train station, you will see the rand Canal - the main street of Venice. Hop on to a gondola and set adrift for the smoothest ride of your life.




Eye candy
There is so much of this in Venice that at times it can overwhelm you. So, sit down on the steps of one of the city’s grand buildings and first jot out what you should see and what you should leave for another day.
This is a list of the must-do’s or shall we say the absolute musts.
Doges Palace or the Palazzo Ducale Was once the seat of the republic's government. It housed bureaucrats as well as prisoners. The building
is truly spectacular with statues that bring the building to life. Two magnificent Gothic facades in white Istrian stone and pink Verona marble face the water and Piazzetta di San Marco. The main entrance, the 15th century Porta della Carta (Paper Door), to which government decrees were fixed, was carved by Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon. Leading from the
courtyard, the Scala dei Giganti flank the landing. Going past the golden staircase will take you to the dodges where ambassadors were asked to wait to meet their audience. On your visit you will also pass one of the world's largest oil paintings by Tintoretto, located on the second floor. It measures 22m and 7m.
Inside are also lots of Tintorettos, including the famous Rape of Europa by Veronese.

Bridge of Sighs
As part of your tour of the Doges palace, you will soon get to the bridge of sighs. It got its name from the sighs that prisoners are heaved on their way into the dungeons. Speaks volumes.

Dorsoduro, Gallerie dell’Accademia
Welcome to a virtual world that comes to a life in paintings. The former church and convent of Santa Maria della Carita, with additions by Palladio, hosts a collection that follows the progression of Venetian art from the 14th to the 18th centuries.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
This beautiful basilica was built in the 17th century to honour the Virgin Mary who is was believed to have delivered the city from an outbreak of plague that had killed more than a third of the population.

Ghetto Nuovo
This is considered the world’s first ghetto. The city’s Jews were ordered to move to a small island, which became known as Ghetto Nuovo, in 1516. They were locked in at night by Christian soldiers and forced to follow a set of rules limiting their social and economic activities, but they retained full freedom of religious expression. (This might help you understand Shylock’s rage at Antonio and other Christians in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.) In 1797, after the fall of the republic, Jews were allowed to leave the
ghetto to live wherever they chose.

Chiesa dei SS Giovanni e Paolo.
This huge Gothic church, founded by the Dominicans, rivals the Franciscans’ Frari in size and grandeur. Work started on the church in 1333, but it was not consecrated until 1430. Its vast interior is divided simply into a nave and two aisles, separated by graceful, soaring arches. The beautiful stained-glass window in the south transept (the largest in Venezia)
was made in Murano to designs by Bartolomeo Vivarini and Girolamo Mocetto in the 15th century. Look out for Giovanni Bellini’s polyptych of San Vincente Ferrer over the second altar of the right aisle. Still in its
original frame, it also features an ‘Assumption’ and ‘Pieta’.

Murano
Italian glass was put on the mantle from here. Glass flourished here as early as the 10th century, when the secrets of the art were brought back from the East by merchants. The industry was moved to the island of Murano in the 13th century.

St Mark's Square
Don't let the name Piazza San Marco confuse you. Everything in Italy goes by its Italian name and this is the Italian name for Saint Mark's Square. Get here early to avoid the crowds, but make it a part of your 'to do' list. Napolean considered San Marco, the finest drawing room in Europe. On most days, it is like a painting. While the road is filled with
tourists and pigeons, you can wait for the bronze Mori to strike the bell of the Torre dell' Orologio. Or sit and enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee at the restaurants that line the streets.


Icing on the cake
1. A pizza Margarita on the one of the sidewalk cafes just so that you get a taste of the real thing.
2. A bargain shopping expedition to Murano (pick up at least one vase). Ask locals where you can find inexpensive but good Venetian masks – forgo a meal, but buy the mask.
3. Simply watching the world go by at St Mark’s Square (and it does go by beautifully).
4. A slice of Viennese shortcake and a cup of espresso just as the sun is about to set.


Romantic quotient
10/10
It’s every bit as romantic as it’s made out to be. In fact, we think, it outdoes Paris easily.

Need to stay
At least three days. Two days to just take in the sights and one day to chill. You may not ever come here again, so make the most of every minute you spend here, we’d say at the cost of your sleep.


Money
Certainly not inexpensive, but it’s affordable. And hey, let’s not pennypinch when you’re in heaven!