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Introduction Unlike most cities, Venice doesn’t revolve around one central point. This surprises many first-time visitors. A Network of Neighborhoods Historically, Venice developed as a collection of self-sufficient districts, each with its own church, square, and market. St. Mark’s Is the Exception St. Mark’s Square is the ceremonial heart, not the everyday center of Venetian life. Why This Matters for Tourists Exploring different districts reveals multiple “mini-centers,” e

Introduction Getting lost in Venice is easy—not only because of its layout, but also because streets don’t follow normal naming rules. Calli, Not Streets Most Venetian streets are called calli , meaning narrow passageways. Campi Instead of Squares Venice doesn’t use the word “piazza” except for St. Mark’s Square. All other squares are called campi . Fondamenta Along the Water Streets that run alongside canals are known as fondamenta , referring to their stone foundations. A C

Introduction Visitors often notice something unusual in Venice: there are very few cats. In a country famous for street cats, this feels almost mysterious. A City Without Cellars Venice has no basements or underground spaces due to water levels. These areas usually provide shelter for cats in other cities. Fewer Rodents Thanks to water, tides, and urban design, Venice historically had fewer rats compared to mainland cities—meaning less reason for cats to thrive. A Managed Env

Introduction Venice is full of traditions that may seem strange to visitors—but they are part of what makes the city so fascinating. Venetians Don’t Say “Ciao” Locals traditionally greet each other with “ciao” less often than expected , preferring more formal greetings, especially with strangers. Wine Before Dinner Many Venetians stop at a bacaro  for a small glass of wine and cicchetti before dinner—a social ritual rather than a meal. Carnival Masks with Meaning Venetian mas

Introduction One of the most common questions tourists ask in Venice is: Why are all gondolas black?  The answer has nothing to do with style—and everything to do with history. Gondolas Were Once Colorful In the past, gondolas were richly decorated with colors, carvings, and fabrics. Wealthy families used them to show off their status. A Law Against Luxury In the 16th century, Venetian authorities introduced strict laws to limit excess and competition among nobles. Gondolas w

Venice is the city of love par excellence. Every bridge, canal, and narrow alley tells a story that seems to float between dream and...

Where Art Takes Center Stage Venice has always been a city of stories. Between canals and marble palaces, echoes of music and laughter...

Venice’s Sweet Heritage Venetian desserts are a delicate reflection of history, trade, and local ingredients . From the influence of...

Venice on a Plate Venice is a city shaped by water, trade, and centuries of history, and its cuisine tells this story with every bite....

A Noble Fish of Venice Among the lagoon’s most prized seafood, turbot — or rombo — stands out for its delicate white flesh and subtle...

The Lagoon’s Treasure on Your Plate Among the delights of Venetian cuisine, Branzino al Forno , or baked sea bass, stands out as a simple...

A Taste of Venice’s Lagoon Venice is a city of water, history, and flavor. Its culinary traditions reflect centuries of life in the...