Venice is the city impossible that shimmers in dazzling lights and ebbs in its watery woes. Overwhelmed by overcrowding, scarred by charlatans and made putrescent by overflowing sewers, Venice is still the Queen of Adriatic-the city of palaces on canals. He mainstream chokes but just off the beaten path lie Baroque churches, Venetian floating palaces and Renaissance. The city is your escape from the Automobile. Explore instead the rocking water taxis floating to destinations and vaporettis speeding past in lanes without signals. Admire too a city rushes to hospitals on speedboats and disposes garbage in scows!
CANAL GRANDE (GRAND CANAL)
If Venice floats on water, this is the raison d'etre. Cruise down the 3.2km long canal-the city's greatest waterway in the evening to experience the city's numerous medieval palazzos, churches, impressive republican buildings mingled with shimmering shadows of delivery boats, vaporetti and gondolas. While many of the waterfront palaces are merely condos, others have been turned into Multi national Corporation offices, government and university buildings and consulates. The ride will acquaint you with the waves, on which the city floats, gliding you into the heart of the Venetian's indomitable spirit.CA'D'ORO
Don't be taken in by the golden name -it only alludes to the gilding that originally enwrapped the façade details. But the superb Gothic structure still houses golden trove of artistic treasures-bronzes, tapestries and paintings of the period when Venice had taken over thee Renaissance leadership. Walk up to the first floor covered with religious paintings including the subliminally violent "Martyrdom of St Bartholomew". The second floor almost exclusively belongs to Titian's frescoes- except one by Giorgine. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city from the balconies that sit atop the Grand Canal.ST MARK'S BASILICA
You can consider it only as a rip off of the Great Constantinople cathedral. Or as a palace with the most restrictions- modesty in attire is strictly enforced here. But then you will be missing the point- the Basilica is the worlds' most magnificent place of worship. Backed as it was by the newly enriched merchant classes, it is a shameless story of plunder under the domes and arches. Be dazzled by the by the church's utter ostentation, including the Pala d'oro (golden altarpiece) a Gothic artifact bejeweled with around 2,000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. The Tesoro (Treasury) contains the booty from medieval lands -including one from Jesus crown of thorns. The Triumphal Quadriga-the four tethered, gilded bronze horses - is lodged here along with the Lion of St \Mark .Walk up to the Loiggia dei Cavall for a view of the piazzo that charmed the redoubtable Napoleon.GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA
Visit this for seeing some of the finest pieces of art. Paolo Veneziano's Madonna with Two Donors and Carpaccio's Crucifixion are absolute master pieces. Begin with the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carita - the most ancient Scuola Grandi where Veneziano's Coronation of Mary and Carpaccio's masterpiece stand out. Other masterpieces include Madonna with Child between Saints Catherine and Mary Magdalene, Giorgione's Tempest, and works by Titian. The landscapes by Canaletto and Guardi equally delight.CHIESA SANTA MARIA DEI MIRACOL
Welcome to the finest setting for saying " I DO" The pint sized 15th century church is a perfectly proportioned and glows " jewel-like" with its shining exteriors reflected in the canal. Wait to be whisked away by gondolas after the wedding.
If you still have time -and inclination -left , explore the Renaissance marble relief inside as well as the Virgin Mary icon that is said to protect the watery city from calamities.