Canals of Venice

travel wonder in Italy

Why the Canals

of Venice are special

The Venetian canals and their gondolas provide one of the world's most romantic experiences. Imagine gliding slowly down Venice's narrow canals on a moonlit night to musical accompaniment.

Your gondola can also take you along the 3-kilometer (2-mile) long Grand Canal. This broad, main water thoroughfare is lined with luxurious centuries-old palazzos with ornate Renaissance-style facades - and is spanned by the elaborately designed Rialto Bridge.

Getting around Venice

The 150 canals of Venice are its streets - roads for land passenger vehicles are nonexistent. Everyone must travel by foot or boat, tourists and locals alike.

The chief and often the fastest means of transportation is the foot - thanks to the 400 pedestrian bridges that link Venice's many small islands. When distance is far, locals use the swift vaporettos (water taxis/busses). Although Venetians once used gondolas extensively, they now leave this man-powered vessel for the tourists.

Origin of the

Canals of Venice

The canals date back to the 5th century when regional inhabitants built nascent Venice in a swampy, sparsely settled lagoon in order to escape the swords of the invading Barbarians.

View my other gold,

silver & bronze medal

winners in Italy

My Italian

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

View my Italian

cuisine guide

View next

world wonder

I hope your Italy travel dreams come true - and that 

my Canals of Venice page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications