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I rated Venice as one of my top ten Art Destinations because of my criteria: Easy access to many amazing artistic wonders in a concentrated area.  With safe strolling, great dining, interesting happenings and surprises around every corner, it was a delight!

   This is one of the very few places to which I would like to return and just wander the streets again.  The pace of life, the opulent architecture, historic crafts, romantic gondolas, majestic artwork and postcard-picture views everywhere.  

   The uniqueness of a city built on hundreds of islands connected by a canal system makes it dependent on quaint bridges, water taxis and of course, the gondolas.  The wealth of the Venetian merchants in the Renaissance era elevated the tastes of the city.  Its closeness to Byzantium had a big influence. 

   Money was no object when constructing the central square, Piazza San Marco, which contains St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge Palace. 

  Above are a few snaps of things seen in that very public area, the biggest tourist spot of them all.  There are many gondolas parked in front of this area too, so it is a very busy and chaotic area to be.  Inside, both the Basilica and Doge Palace were on the same scale of grandeur as the Vatican, in my opinion.  Every edifice was carved, inlaid with tiles, painted, gold-leafed, sculpted, draped or decorated with the best the times had to offer.  (The above right picture was a chance meeting with a masked lass, posing for an advertisement of some sort.)

The tinted plaster of the buildings, the arched windows, graceful railings and awnings, flower boxes and of course, the canals are the mainstay of the area.

  You haven't visited Venice if you haven't taken a gondola ride.  These beautiful vessels are very posh with cushions, gilded wood and burly gondoliers.  It's a dreamy ride and heady experience.

You also get the opportunity to see Venice from a whole different perspective.

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Besides the water routes, there is much to happen upon while strolling.  We saw works by Tintoretto as we visited a cathedral, were enthralled with one of the many mask shops for Carnevale, saw several dance and choral groups busking some squares and then saw the unusual too......

I'll always remember our magical trip and all of the incredible experiences we had here.