When one thinks of Venice, Italy what usually pops into most people’s thoughts are the canals and gondolas which make Venice famous. However, Venice has so much more to offer her visitors! 

The Basilica di San Marco is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture and it is also one of the most popular and well-known churches in Venice. It is an awe-inspiring structure which has stood through several rebellions radical political changes since the 9th century. The church is renowned for its gilded Byzantine mosaics, which have earned the Basilica its nickname, Chiesa d’Oro—the Church of Gold. This church is simply stunning, inside and out. 

After visiting the Basilica, head to Piazza San Marco which is Venice’s most famous square. What appears to be a rectangle is actually a trapezium, and when you look up at the basilica, the piazza seems enormous, although it is only 175 meters long. On both sides of the piazza are the Procuratie, which housed the procurators of San Marco. The centerpiece of the piazza is the Basilica di San Marco.The oldest of these are on your left when you face the basilica; Longhena built the ones on the right later, in 1640. The most recent buildings, commissioned by Napoleon in 1810, lie behind. 

Next, visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari- more often referred to as the Frari- which is erected in the heart of the San Polo district of Venice. This is one of the grandest churches to behold in the city. Completed in 1338, the gothic styled church houses many stunning works of religious art. 

It is now time to sail under The Bridge of Sighs in a gondola. This bridge was given its name by the English poet Lord Byron in the nineteenth century. It is made of beautiful, white limestone.The bridge arches over the Rio di Palazzo, and is said to grant eternal love to those who kiss while passing underneath. 

One of the best times to see Venice is during the Carnival of Venice ( which begins two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday). It is perhaps most notable for the masks worn by its participants.The masks come in all varieties, but most cover the entire face and are worn with elaborate costumes creating a truly fantastic effect and transforming the wearers into doll-like figures. 

Whether you are sipping a capuccino infront of Café Florian, listening to a romantic song in the moonlight on a gondola, or fascinated by Venice’s many museums, this grand city is a magical experience for all.