Google Map To Venice or Venezia, Italy.

Google Map To Saint Mark's Square, Venice, Italy.

For nearly 1400 years, the two or three miles of shallow water separating Venice from mainland Italy, had not only protected Venice from invaders but effectively isolated the Venetians from the Italian political life. Untouched by the papalist and imperialist warfare, feudalism and territorial squabbles; they fixed there attention towards the East and the rich markets of the Levantine and Constantinople. And so began the great mercantile empire of the Venetian Republic. A city built from fear, was soon to be heralded as the most dazzlingly beautiful city in the world. While the Florentines were regarded as great thinkers, the Venetians should be regarded as great doer's. For they alone conquered the malaria-ridden swamps to build a city from nothing. We were there in August of 1999. It was very hot and humid.

Getting to Venice, Italy: Even though most people enter Venice by water the most direct way is by air. The closest commercial airport is the Marco Polo Airport (ICAO: LIPZ, IATA: VCE), located on the mainland near Mestre (a more typical Italian city, without Venice's unique structure). The Treviso Airport (ICAO: LIPH, IATA: TSF), located 25 km (16 mi) from Venice, is relatively smaller but it is becoming increasingly busy as the main destination for the Ryanair, Wizzair, and Transavia budget flights. From Treviso Airport, ATVO offers a €10 round-trip ticket price from-to Venice. Both airports have bus connections with Venice (Piazzale Roma), Mestre, Padua and other towns. The ATVO 'pullman' coaches (€10 return) run to and from Treviso to co-incide with flights. The Marco Polo airport runs a shuttle bus --€3-- (or just turn left and walk 10 minutes under the awning) to the Alilaguna water-bus jetty, where €13 gets you a leisurely 75 minute boat trip to San Marco via Murano, Lido and the Arsenale. Or you can take the cheaper boat (€6,50) to Murano which takes only half an hour. Alternatively, you can travel in style (and much faster) by hiring one of the speedy water-taxis (30 mins) for about €100. There are numerous flights into Venice and numerous hotels in Venice. There are several Guided Tour Agencies offering standard city, and historical tours of Venice and the surrounding area. After arranging your flight we would suggest getting your hotel and then letting them arrange tours of the area for you. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem doing it this way! Expedia.com has made special arrangements with airline partners to fly you directly to the Venice Airport. We have links to Expedia.com on our page so that you can arrange your flight and hotel in Venice.

Our Italian Cosmos Tour Guide, Irena She Always Carried A Sunflower	Paul & Lisa Leading The Way
The Bridge Of Sighs Joined The Doges' Palace To The 16th Century Prigioni Nuove (New Prison), Notice The Thick Bars	Close Up Of The Bridge
A Cell From The Pozzi (Dungeons)	Outdoor Resturant Near Basilica Of Saint Marks
Santa Maria Della Salute The Senate Of Venice Had It Built In 1630 Built To Honor God For The End Of The Plague	Santa Maria Della Salute The Square Building Is The Liberia Marciana Built To Hold Rare Books From Cardinal Bessarione
Boats Decorating For Celebration	Nice
The Procurate	Basilica Of San Marco
The Largest Portal Of The Basilica	Piazza San Marco Bell "Moors" Strike The Time