Ratianda´s correspondent in The Netherlands loves to travel - as we all know - and enjoys viewing her holiday pictures taken in beautiful places she and her husband visited. One of the most beautiful cities she visited is Venice in Italy (not mistaken for Venice in Southern California mind you) and therfore she wants to share these pictures with you.
The city of Venice, Italy, is stunning and unique. Founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, Venice is linked by a series of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements. The historic city centre of Venice is divided into six quarters (sestieri) - Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce. All buildings in Venice are supported on slender oak and pine piles (posts) which are driven deep into the ground to create a solid foundation.
There are loads of famous Venice attractions and sights to see. The Basilica San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica), the Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square) and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace).
For lovers of fine cuisine - like Ratianda´s correspondent - Venice offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants serving delicious Italian food. Pasta and pizza has never tasted more devine than when eaten on the Piazza San Marco, in the shadows of the Basilica San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale.
The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, is a long stretch of water running right through the city and is often referred to as 'the most beautiful street in the whole of Venice'. The first bridge ever built over the canal was the Rialto Bridge, which has since become one of the main symbols associated with this iconic Italian city. Travelling along this canal and the many others is a great way to see the city, and there are loads of different modes of travel available. Public transport consists mainly of water-buses (vaporetti) and there are also water-taxis (motoscafi), which are faster, more modern motorboats. Of course, who could think of Venice without picturing the well-known and much loved Italian gondolas!!!! What could be more romantic than a nighttime, moonlit trip along a Venetian canal? The atmosphere and reflections are quite unforgettable. So all you single unmarried ladies out there, now you know where to go on holiday with your boyfriend!
