Venice, known as the Queen of the Adriatic, must be on everyone's 'must visit' list at one time or another. It has, in its turbulent past, been a City State and then, in 1815, part of Austria under the terms of the Congress of Vienna, remaining so until 1866 when, after years of fighting, it was again reclaimed as part of the Kingdom of Italy.

Venice, whose patron saint is Saint Mark, is a city built on an archipelago of over 100 islands; some small and some even smaller. The bones of the saint are buried in the Basilica of San Marco. There are over 400 bridges spanning the 150 canals separating the islands of the lagoon. Transport is entirely by water although, in the 19th century, a causeway was constructed linking Venice to the mainland facillitating the subsequent construction of a railway link and then, in the 20th century, a road. Modern day movement about Venice is on foot or via the frequent water buses (vaporetti ) although, if you're feeling more self-indulgent, you can always travel by gondola.

Venice, once part of a Roman province, became a powerful city-state dominating sea trade and commerce for hundreds of years until the late 15th century when Turkey was ascendant in the Middle East and Constantinople fell; Cyprus fell to Turkey in 1571, Crete in 1669 and the Peloponnese in 1715, marking the end of Venice's maritime domination.

As Venice's commercial dominance waned, art flourished during the Renaissance and many great artists were associated with the city. Amongst them were: Titian, Tintoretto, Bellini and Jacopo Palma. Many of the architectural treasures of the city date back to these times; the most prominent architects being the Lombardo family, Jacopo Sansovino and Palladio. Venice, with fortunes founded on trade, became a city of rich palaces and churches filled with the treasures of an unrivalled period in art history - the Renaissance. Years of fighting in the 18th and 19th centuries took their toll and a much less prosperous Venice began to fall into a state of decline and disrepair, without the financial resources to effect the much needed maintenance and repair.

The latter part of the 20th century, however, has seen Venice become one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. One of the major tourist attractions is the annual Carnevale in February. Every year, before lent, there are 10 days of pageantry when masked figures in flamboyant costumes stroll around the streets and pose for the photographers. The prestigious Venice Biennale, an international exhibition of the best of modern art, has been staged every two years since 1895. Artists from around the world are chosen to exhibit their work in pavilions dedicated to their home country. The next one takes place in August 2007.
At Venice's heart is the Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square), dominated by the Basilica and subject of so many photographs of pigeons, pavement cafes and the arcades of shops. On all sides are the architectural wonders of this once powerful city. From the top of the Campanile, 100 metres high and rebuilt in 1902, the visitor can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its lagoon. Another tower in the piazza houses the Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower) designed in 1496. Also to be found near the piazza, in the nearby Piazzetta, is the Libreria Sansovinia, a 16th century building, considered by the then contemporary architect Palladio, to be one of the finest buildings ever constructed. It now houses the Archaeological Museum. Another much photographed landmark is the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore which can be seen across the waters of the lagoon.

On the eastern side of the Piazzetta one can see the Doge's Palace. This sumptuous building was the Doge's official residence and the seat of government in the days of Venice's superiority. Today it is an eloquent reminder of those times. Adjoining the palace is the former prison and, bridging the intervening canal, is the Bridge of Sighs (Il Ponte dei Sospiri) across which convicted prisoners would be taken.
What visit to Venice would be complete without a boatride along the Grand Canal? Winding 2 miles through the city it is flanked by palaces reflecting the styles of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, from the 500 years between the 13th and 18th centuries. It is almost impossible to list the wonders to be seen along this canal but look out for: the church of Santa Maria della Salute, the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the Ca'Grande once the home of Sasovino, the Ponte dell'Accademia, the palace of Ca'Rezzonico, the Palazzi Giustinian, the Ca'Foscari, the Palazzo Corner Spinelli, the Palazzo Grimani and, of course the Ponte di Rialto.

Venice is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, tiny squares and waterways only minutes away from the hubub of the Piazza San Marco and divided into 6 separate districts, each with its own distinct character. Most central is that of San Marco; a busy, commercial area but one with some quiet hotels within easy reach of the centre of Venice. The district (sestiere) of San Polo is located within the great bend in the Grand Canal, to the northwest of San Marco. The quietest district of Venice is probably the sestiere of Cannaregio its name reflecting its origins as reed covered marshland. Within this sestiere can be found the 16th century Jewish ghetto (on the site of an old iron foundry, or getto). It was the first European ghetto ever created and gave its name to all the other segregated communities that followed. Castello is the western section of the city changing from a busy waterfront area to the denser housing of the north. The old Arsenale, where Venetian galleys were built and maintained, can be found to the east of Castello. Also to be found here is the site of the Venice Biennale; the international Exhibition of Modern Art.

It's impossible to write of Venice without making reference to the islands; of Murano which was the centre of the Venetian glass-blowing industry; of Burano, home of the lace making industry; and of Torcello which is the more remote of the islands. Torcello was the site of the original settlement and the Byzantine cathdral, dating from the 7th century, and rebuilt in the 11th century, still exists with its dramatic mosaics. For those wanting to enjoy a 'sandy beach and sea holiday' these can be found by visiting the Lido. Once a fashionable resort it still offers the visitor sea air and a break from the overwhelming impact of historic Venice.