Venice,Italy





Venice is enchanting. Yes, that may be cliché to say, but once you see the "City of Water" for yourself, you'll surely agree. Step from the Santa Lucia train station, and you'll find the breathtakingGrand Canal sprawling before you. Water taxis bob along, drifting underneath the Ponte degli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot). You might hear the faintest hint of a serenading violin, or is that your imagination? Romantic gondolas carrying smitten couples coast along the web of waterways. On land, narrow passageways twist past Venezia's Old World storefronts and residences and over bridges. You should note that maps are useless here, and getting lost is the norm -- we suggest embracing the disorientation.
This canal-strewn city's main draw is its magical atmosphere, but you'll also find quite a few diversions too: The tour guides at Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace give some great historical insight; the Gallerie dell'Accademia hangs works by Titian, Veronese and other famed Venetians; and the Teatro La Fenice puts on some world-renowned operas. You can also travel to nearby islands like Lido for the beach, Murano for the well-known glass and Burano for its lace.