The lay of the land: Known as “The City of Light” the six sestieri of Venice are strung along 118 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Venice is comfortable with its fame. It became a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and it was the center of commerce for 4 centuries. The Grand Canal flows through the center of the city, dotted with 400 bridges. The history of the foundations of Venice starts 600 hundred years ago when the Venetians diverted all major rivers flowing into the lagoon to avoid land based attacks.
Many modern Venetian foundations are built on reclaimed land making this city an interesting mix of ancient high art and cutting edge modern technology.

Famous for... The Venice Carnival (celebrated 40 days before Easter) and the Redentore Regatta that takes place on the Grand Canal in July.

Do not leave before you... Have wandered along the famous shopping street of Le Mercerie. Venice is a city where the merchandise tries to out do the fabulous art and architecture. You can indulge in high quality fashion, antiques, leather, jewelery, marbled paper, elegant silk, printed velvet and sumptuous brocades.

Getting around:

The six sestieri (areas) of Venice are easily navigated on foot or by vaporetto (Waterbus)
 
Arrive by air:

Both Marco Polo International and the Treviso Airport serve Venice. Waterbuses to the city are a short walk from the Marco Polo terminals

By bus:

The ACTV public transport system has overland buses and water buses that criss cross the city with 25 routes. www.actv.it

By car:

Venice is practically a no car area. You can park your car in the Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma long term parking lots and catch a vaporetto or bus into the city.

By train:

Santa Lucia is Venice's Train Station. It is connected to the rest of Italy with Eurostar trains, Intercities and Interregional trains. For detailed information on train tometable and tickets prices you can check the Railways website: www.trenitalia.it.