Description: Venice vacations provides information on venice hotels, tours, accomodations, flights, food, history, carnivals, and shopping.
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O Sole Mio! This romantic call echoing out from the gondolas in Venice has stirred many a couch potato to pull on his backpack and get over to Venice. Countless films featuring the canals, gondolas and bridges in Venice have no doubt evoked a strong interest in a visit to Venice. One of the most romantic cities in Europe beckons. Read on!
When the Roman Empire collapsed in the 5-6th Century, some inhabitants from the mainland escaped to the semi swampy area that slowly grew into Venice. Slowly, the numbers of inhabitants grew and every island in the area was occupied and the distinctive character of the city emerged. However, it was only in 1866 AD that the city merged with the Kingdom of Italy.
Comprising of more than a hundred small islands, a hundred and fifty canals and more than four hundred bridges, Venice is built like no other city in the world. Water and indeed high water (the locals call it 'acqua alta') is a standard feature of life in Venice. The water level in the lagoon will sometimes rise and flood the streets. So regular is this flooding that raised walkways are specially built to let people go about their business when the high water hits. Backpackers and student travellers often s