Everyone knows that Venice stands on water and instead of streets there are canals with gondolas floating on them. Both the city itself and the lagoon are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Scientists advise to hurry with a visit: the islands are gradually going underwater and in 15-20 years may become uninhabitable. Despite this, the city, once the most powerful in Europe, retains the spirit of luxury, splendor and grandeur.

Venice was one of the centers of the Renaissance and at the same time a very, very wealthy city, so a special, "theatrical" attitude to life emerged and has been preserved here. Proof of this is the annual carnival, numerous holidays and festivals, as well as the most popular souvenir – the carnival mask. Tourists come here for a romantic mood, historical spirit and pompous ambiance, and the city fully lives up to their expectations.

The Venetian Republic played a huge role in European history. It emerged in the late VII century and already at the beginning of the IX century became the largest trading center between East and West. During its heyday, Venice subjugated the surrounding territories and completely controlled the Adriatic Sea. Revenues from trading eastern goods, as well as the mastery of local craftsmen, ensured the power of the republic with the Doge at its head.

For more than 1300 years the city-republic maintained independence. It didn't even recognize the Pope's authority. To oppose Venice in 1508 the kings of France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire had to unite their forces. However, over time, wars with Turkey, devastating plague epidemics and the emergence of alternative trade routes weakened the city, and in 1797 Napoleon finally managed to subjugate it. Since 1866, Venice has been part of Italy.

– January 1 – New Year (Capodanno)

– January 6 – Epiphany (Epifania di N.S.)

– April 25 – Liberation Day from fascism (Anniversario della Liberazione)

– May 1 – International Workers' Solidarity Day (Festa del Lavoro)

– June 2 – Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)

– August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assunzione S. Vergine Ferragosto)

– November 1 – All Saints' Day (Tutti i Santi)

– December 8 – Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)

– December 24–25 – Christmas (Natale)

– First and second days of Easter (Pasca)

Venetian holidays:

– February–March – Venetian Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia). It first took place in 1094 and remains one of the most famous carnivals in the world.

– June – Biennale. A famous international exhibition of contemporary art, held in odd-numbered years.

– Third Sunday of July – Feast of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore), dedicated to the end of the plague epidemic of 1567.

– August 1 – Open Forts Day. Venetian medieval forts open to visitors only once a year.

– First Sunday of September – Historical Regatta (Regata Storica), which includes a parade of boats and races in sports gondolas.

– Late August – early September – Venice International Film Festival.

– November 21 – Festa della Salute – a holiday commemorating deliverance from the plague epidemic of 1630.

Marco Polo Airport (Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo) is located 12 km from Venice. You can reach the city by:

Low-cost airlines use Treviso Airport (L'aeroporto "Antonio Canova" di Treviso-Sant'Angelo), which is 30 km from Venice. You can reach the city by ATVO and ACTV buses.

Venice is connected to the mainland by road and rail, but within the city people mainly travel by water.

The water bus is called vaporetto, the cost of a single-trip ticket ranges from 7.5 to 13 euros, a 24-hour pass – 20 euros.

Gondolas are also considered public transport. The official rate for a 20-30-minute ride is 80 euros during the day and 120 euros from 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM. The price is divided among all passengers.

There are also traghetto – large gondolas that ferry passengers across the Grand Canal for a small fee at several points where it's particularly far to walk to the nearest bridge.

Venezia Unica City Pass is a universal modular card that provides access to:

– public transport (from 20 euros for 24 hours to 50 euros for 7 days),

– museums and churches (39.9 euros for 7 days),

– city-wide wi-fi network (5 euros for 24 hours, 15 euros for 72 hours, 20 euros for a week)

– public toilets (3 euros per day, 9 euros per week).

On the official website you can assemble and pay for the combination that suits you in advance. Standard options can be purchased at museum and church ticket offices and public transport ticket kiosks. Note: tourists under 30 have the right to youth discounts on almost all types of tickets.

The most popular providers are Vodafone, TIM and Wind. The cost of a SIM card is about 15-25 euros, most of which goes to the account balance. Rates are roughly the same, with special offers for tourists.

Free wi-fi is hard to find: not every hotel offers guests such a privilege. In cafes and restaurants it's not common and doesn't impress with connection quality. There is a city network of hotspots called "Venice connected", access to which costs 5 euros per day, 15 euros for 72 hours and 20 euros per week.

Venice is not the best city for shopping in Italy, but there are stores here, of course – in the Merceri district (Merceri), which is located between St. Mark\'s Square and the Rialto Bridge, on Calle Larga XXII street and in the mainland district of Mestre.

Popular souvenirs from Venice include carnival masks, Murano glass, handmade dolls and lace from the island of Burano. Most shops are open from 9:00-10:00 AM to 7:00-8:00 PM, take a lunch break from 1:00 PM for 1.5-2 hours and are closed on Sundays.

Did you know that the world\'s first cookbook was written in Venice? The basis of local cuisine consists of fresh fish and seafood, as well as rice. Risotto is very popular: Risotto Nero with squid ink, Risotto del Doge with oysters (said to be Giacomo Casanova\'s favorite dish) or Risi e Bisi – with green peas. For dessert you can enjoy tiramisu, which was invented right in Venice, or delicious Italian ice cream – gelato.