The Vintage Venice

Often referred to as the 'most serenely beautiful' and 'the Queen of the Adriatic', Venice has no parallel with any other tourist center in many respects. Constructed over marshy groups of islands and connected by waterways and bridges the uniqueness of Venice is that you virtually live in a 'floating city' where instead of buses or taxis or other vehicles you have all sorts of conveyance through water borne vehicles only. In fact most of the bridges are connecting small island areas scattered over the area.

Of great places of tourist importance mention must be made of churches, monuments and museums. There are more than ten grand churches representing the solemnity and spirituality of the church. Historically and architecturally there are interesting. Di Cannaegio, di Dorsoduo, di San Marcon are some of the famous churches. There are at least six major museums like Accademia and Arsenale with wide collection that rivets our attention. Important monuments also add charm to the place. Besides there are countless sports of tourist interest and one simply gets 'merged' into the atmosphere of serene isolation from the rest of the world. The calmness and deep introspective mood these places instill in us are a great unforgettable experiences.

From December first week to January third week each year there is the creation of Sand Nativity which draws countless international tourists. The nativity of Christ in full sequence is sculpted on the sand and renowned artists and sculptors participate in the event. The sheer excellence in execution of the Biblical sequence of events is breathtaking. Recently Bike Exhibition has been organized which is likely to be made an annual feature.

There are regular carnivals in the month of March, June, July, August, September and November months. These were originally celebrated to infuse among the people a sense of coming together and collective enjoyment of the blessings of life. Now they have become attractions for international tourists who are more than satisfied with the general cheer and robust faith in life.

There are at least fifty to sixty hotels ranging from three star comforts to lesser comforts but none withholds to customers the basic facilities expected in a foreign land. Al Vagon, al Giardini, Hotel San Gallo, etc. are some prominent names. Online booking facilities, group discounts, off-season concessions and a host of attractions make it possible for tourists of every hue to enjoy the stay in Venice. A few day's stay at Venice will wipe out the jaded outlook accumulated over months of routine life elsewhere. Venice is not a place for just one visit. It will make you long for revisits.