Wondrous Venice

The charms of Venice — called the City of Love, the City of Canals, the City of Water, the Floating City and other epithets that allude to its unique character — are experienced while walking its streets and bridges

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“Just get lost” is the reply to a query asking the best way of experiencing Venice. It takes a second to realise that the person is being helpful, not discourteous. An explanation follows that in the island city — of no roads or vehicular traffic — it is best to lose oneself without worrying about what to see and where to go. If you really cannot find your way back, then simply orient yourself by looking for the Bell Tower or asking for directions to St Mark’s Square and walk back.

The grand canal

These words come to mind as one eagerly settles into a water taxi at the city’s western edge (after arriving there by road or rail) and sets off to St Mark’s Square through the 3.8km long Grand Canal. Likened to the main street of a city, the broad waterway sinuously flows through the city in the form of a reverse S. And as it is lined with impressive buildings, palaces and churches on either side all eyes turn from side to side trying to capture all on a phone or camera!