Picturesque, quaint, crumbling, romantic Venice swarms with tourists. A visit to Venice lives up to all expectations and any romantic notions one may hold. This treasure trove of ancient architecture built upon 188 islands and connected by over 400 bridges is unlike anything you will ever see. 

Venice is pleasantly lacking in the speeding cars and roaring Vespas of Rome and has a calming effect on all who visit. Here you can make your way through the city either on foot or by boat, enjoying a more relaxed pace of life. 

Stunning architecture, gondolas and a palatable mix of East and West, this was once a land of inconceivable wealth and power. Today this rich history and cultural past are still very noticeable and there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied for days or even weeks.

No matter how many times you have seen it in the movies, the real thing is more impressive than you ever imagined. Sunlight shimmers and silvery mist softens every perspective here, a city renowned in the Renaissance for its artists' rendering of colour. Its landmarks, the Basilica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale are a delight. Venice is full of secrets, truly romantic, and at times, given over entirely to pleasure.

Venice was founded in the 5th century AD by refugees who were fleeing northern invasions. The refugees built their unique settlements on the islands of Venice as protection against raids.

Venice was a vassal of the Byzantine Empire until the 10th century. Beginning with control of a trade route to the Levant, Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202–04) as ruler of a colonial empire which included Crete, Euboea, the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, and footholds in Morea and Epirus.

In 1381 it defeated Genoa after a century-long struggle for commercial supremacy in the Levant and eastern Mediterranean. In the 15th century, with the acquisition of neighbouring regions, the Republic of Venice became an extensive Italian state. Its territories were gradually lost to the Turks after three centuries of intermittent battles and gave up its last hold in the Aegean in 1715. In 1797 Venice came under control of Austria.

After a revolt against Austria, Venice was relinquished to Italy in 1899. It suffered little damage during World War II, but flooding along its many canals caused severe damage in 1966. The waters of the lagoon rise and flood the city on a regular basis, complicating efforts to preserve its architecture, which includes Italian, Arabic, Byzantine, and Renaissance forms.

Today Venice has a bustling tourism industry and also plays a key market role within the economic system of the Veneto region.

Situated in the north, Venice has a cool winter and a steady amount of rainfall year-round. Most tourists visit during the peak months of June through September. Also popular is the ten-day Carnival in February. If you visit during these months, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.

November through March can be a pleasant time to visit as the crowds are fewer and accommodation is less expensive and easier to find. You may encounter fog, rain, or the high tides called acque alta, but mild and sunny days are also common.

To read travel articles about Venice, please visit the Tangent Archive.