Venice Italy 2015

" Rome may conquer, Florence create, But Venice teaches time to wait." Venice, Italy, is one of the world’s most distinctive and romantic cities. Built across more than 100 small islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea, Venice is famous for its canals, bridges, and historic architecture. Instead of streets filled with cars, much of the city is connected by waterways, where boats, water buses, and traditional gondolas travel through narrow canals. Venice began as a settlement during the early Middle Ages and grew into a powerful maritime republic. From the 9th to the 15th centuries, it became a major trading center between Europe and the East, gaining wealth through commerce and shipbuilding. Its wealth and influence can still be seen in landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark’s Square, is especially well known for its grand buildings, cafés, and views of the lagoon. Venice is also celebrated for art, music, and annual cultural events. The Venice Carnival is famous for elaborate masks and costumes, while the Venice Biennale attracts artists, architects, and visitors from around the world. The city has inspired countless painters, writers, and filmmakers because of its misty canals, historic palaces, and unique atmosphere. However, Venice faces significant modern challenges, including flooding, erosion, and the effects of mass tourism. We visited Venice in summer of 2015. We stayed in city for 3 days in an apartment that was very convenient and central to places we wanted to see. Venice is a nice place to visit and wander around the canals and alleys. I enjoyed the atmosphere, architect and the nature. Venice felt heavily shaped by tourism and to some degree phony. Popular areas were crowded with visitors, souvenir shops, restaurants, and tour groups. The presence of local residents seemed almost entirely absent.