Venice - The Doge's Palace

Venice - The Doge's Palace

Venice was a Republic for centuries before the system was adopted elsewhere apart from the Roman period, of course. But even then aspects of nobility in government were present. The Doge's Palace was one such. It was home to the Doge, and was also used to house administrative offices, along with several prisons.

First constructed in the 9th century about 100 years after the beginning of the Republic, the Palazzo Ducale gained its present form between 1340 and 1420. The result was not just a boring government building, but a magnificent work of architecture that also houses some of the world's finest art.

The palace is located at one end of the Piazza San Marco and forms part of that impressive area in the heart of Venice. Despite fires, earthquakes, damage from Napoleon's war machine and much more, it stands today as one of the premier symbols of this amazing city.

Its high walls of white limestone and pink marble provide background for the many colors laid on in the decorations. The carefully crafted loggias, the crenellated roof and the magnificent balconies all define late-Gothic Venetian architecture. There are 36 capitals on the lower colonnade that are festooned with carvings. The animals and flowers represent some of the finest stone work in Europe. There are sculptures depicting Adam and Eve, Noah, the Archangel Gabriel and many other religious figures.

Enter the palazzo through a door beside the Lagoon and you'll be treated to an impressive courtyard. The mixture of styles is characteristic of Venice, a blend of East and West thanks to its rich trading history. Here you'll find Renaissance facades at the eastern side across from the Gothic on the south and west. The staircase at one end from 1600 represents High Renaissance.

Ascend and enjoy large statues of Neptune and Mars on your way to the first floor loggia. Look around and gaze upon paintings by some of the period's best artists, including Titian and Bellini.

Visit the Museo dell'Opera and view the Scala d'Oro (Golden Staircase) leading to a series of rooms built in the 16th century. Look up to see numerous stuccos by Vittorio. Enter the Sala del Maggior Consiglio and look out over the Bridge of Sighs that connects the palace to the now-disused prisons.

Further down the hall one can find the Doge's private quarters. Through the other side is the Anticollegio containing masterpieces by Tintoretto. In the Sala del Collegio are more works by this master in a room designed by the famed architect Palladio. The Sala delle Quattro holds Titian's portrait of Doge Grimani. The Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci houses several Veronese.

Then exit the palace and stand in the center of the square to admire the whole. The lower section of columns gives an unusually light effect, since it supports the more solid-looking upper floors. This 'reverse' wouldn't become common in architecture for hundreds of years. It shows once again that Venice was centuries ahead of others in many ways.

Venice - Piazza San Marco

Venice - Piazza San Marco

What could be more ordinary than a public square in Europe? Every country is filled with them. Yet, ah, there are few to compare to Piazza San Marco. One could easily spend an entire vacation in Venice taking in its many wonderful sights. Even apart from the famed Basilica di San Marco, there are a dozen fascinating things to see.

Just the opportunity to stand in this ancient square will attract many visitors. The sights of the Basilica, the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and more are their rewards. Unlike many public squares in Europe, there is no traffic or auto noise to mar the experience.

The piazza began life as nothing more than an open space outside the now-replaced church in the 9th century. Enlarged and reshaped to its present three-sided area by the late 12th century, it rapidly became the meeting place of rich and poor, grand and humble. All-important offices of the Republic were located here. All the major festivals were held here.

One of the more delightful sights is the Doge's Palace. As the name suggests, the Palazzo Ducale di Venezia was the palace of the Doge of Venice, a leader of the government. Constructed during the 14th century, it incorporated several innovative features, such as a series of arches on the lower story, with the heavier sections above. Now a museum, there are paintings inside by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and other famed artists of the period.

The Bridge of Sighs is nearby. This bridge led to a 1600-era prison but gained its present name from the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. The thought was the prisoners would sigh at the loveliness of Venice before seeing it for the last time as they entered the Doge's prison. Legend has it that two lovers who kiss in a gondola under the bridge at sunset will enjoy eternal love.

Another sight in the square is the Campanile, the belltower of St. Mark's. The present Campanile di San Marco was completed in 1912, designed as an exact replica of the earlier structure that had collapsed ten years earlier. It had stood for nearly 500 years. Both a bell tower for the cathedral and a military watchtower from the 10th century, it alone would make a visit here worthwhile. The roof catches the warm Venice summer sun and radiates it out across the entire square.

Torre dell'Orologio or the Moors' Clocktower is still another outstanding sight in Piazza San Marco. Completed in 1499, it does much more than provide the time to local citizens. It adds immeasurably to the beauty of the area. With its five bays and two giant bronze figures it remains one of the city's most glorious public works. The clock contains a series of concentric dials that tell the time, the zodiac sign and the phases of the sun and moon.

There are so many things to see in this one part of Venice alone that visitors can be thankful for the nearby Cafe Florian. Serving visitors and locals alike since 1720, the coffee will be just what you need to have the energy to see everything that St. Mark's square offers.

Venice - St. Mark's Basilica

Venice - St. Mark's Basilica

Venice is an unusual city, a mixture of influences from East and West. Nowhere is this more evident than in the famed Basilica di San Marco.

Built on top of the burnt ruins of an earlier church, the current building took shape in the late 11th century. Consecrated in 1094, the present facade began in the 13th. The cathedral was under construction in some form or other for the next 600 years.

Though the basic plan and style is Greek/Byzantine, pieces and artifacts of the church come from many places and many periods. The facade is essentially drawn from early Constantinople, lending the building its Byzantine appearance. But pillars, sculpture and much more were drawn from all over Europe and the Middle East.

Five large arches support five enormous domes that provide the overall look. The best views are from the far end of St. Mark's square. Closer up, one can see thousands of tiny bas reliefs, such as an old man biting his hand. Legend has it that the image is of the architect, complaining that he could have built a much more beautiful church.

Inside there are equally impressive sights.

The mosaics, all 8,000 square meters (86,000 square feet) of them, draw fascinated visitors from all over the world. There are dozens of separate 'stories' that depict religious symbols and events that would have been familiar to locals of the time. The individual tiles were deliberately placed not perfectly flat, in order to splash light in all directions.

Within the space there are several separate areas worthy of long and close attention.

San Marco's Treasure is a collection of gems, ceramics and objects made of precious metals that would astound even the most jaded. They were gathered from numerous countries over centuries of trade and conquest.

Today there are hundreds of pieces of enamel on the high altar, named the Golden Pala. Covered with gold leaf, it was begun in 1000 AD and continued to be built up over the following 300 years. The result is a collection of nearly 2,000 sapphires, garnets, emeralds and more to rival any other collection in the world.

Also inside, in the Church museum, are the original four Horses of St. Mark, installed on the facade in 1254. Their origin is in doubt, but they are definitely ancient. The horses, enormous in size and each a sculptural masterpiece, were taken by Napoleon to Paris in 1797. After his defeat they were taken back to Venice in 1815. Exposed for centuries to weather, they were finally brought inside in the 1990s and replaced by bronze replicas.

Another object of note is the Four Tetrarchs. Made of porphyry (a type of marble) and taken from Constantinople in 1204, this statue sits in the southwest corner. The figures displayed represent the four co-emperors of the Roman Empire during the period of Diocletian.

There are literally hundreds of small areas that merit a look in St. Mark's Basilica. No matter how often you visit, you'll find something new to explore. But to avoid the lines, either schedule a visit in or line up early.

The Islands of Venice

Venice - The Islands of Venice

There are several islands a short boat ride from Venice that are well worth a look when you visit this beautiful city.

- Murano

One of the most popular is nearby Murano. Most tourists come to visit the glassmakers and buy some souvenirs. There are plenty of opportunities. The art has been practiced here for centuries. Since the late 13th century, glass artisans here have been offering their wares to rich and poor alike. Prices can range from a few dollars for a trinket to thousands for a true work of art.

The Museo Vetraio (Glass Museum) on the island continues to attract visitors by the thousands every year. A 30-minute tour provides a complete introduction to this fascinating and beautiful craft. Tourists can see an outstanding church on the island: Basilica di Santi Maria e Donato. There's also a fascinating small lighthouse worth a look.

- Lido

For those looking to enjoy the beach during one of Venice's warm summers, the Lido is a great option. The Venice Film festival takes place here in September and many celebrities attend. There's also golf for those who can't stay away from the clubs even on a holiday.

A brief boat ride takes one out to Sant Erasmo. Pellestrina is another option for those looking for a quieter spot to stretch out and catch some rays.

- Torcello

This nature preserve continues to attract animal lovers by the score. The human population numbers fewer than 100, but there are thousands of wild birds and sea life species. There's also a beautiful church, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Built in the 7th century it is one of the city's oldest. The Mosaic of the Madonna continues to be one of the main attractions.

- Burano

With 7,000 inhabitants, Burano is one of the larger islands of the area and there's much to see.

Famed for its lace-making industry, this island near Venice is well worth a visit. Traditionally a small fishing village, it houses the Museo del Merletto displaying many samples of the wares that made the town famous.

Others are attracted to the island by its numerous colorful houses. Alongside a pink one there will be ones that are green and yellow. Next to those, some that are lavender and blue. And so it goes in Burano.

Many tour operators offer multiple island packages. One can easily visit three in an afternoon without being exhausted. The character of each is distinct and no visit to Venice is complete without seeing them.

Venice - The Villas of Venice

Venice - The Villas of Venice

Venice has an array of villas that are historically interesting and beautiful to see. They make for another outstanding thing to do in a city already filled with so many.

- Villa Pisani

Villa Pisani is a baroque villa in Stra. Begun in the early 1700s, it was the home of the man appointed Doge of Venice in 1735. The design was based on the elaborate Versailles. While it doesn't quite match that magnificent building and grounds outside Paris, it does have much to recommend it.

The view alone is worth the side excursion about 20 mi/30 km from the city. The enormous facade of the villa is capped with statues and sports a highly decorated entrance with huge columns supported by caryatids.

Like Versailles, there are around the villa several acres of gardens, horse stables, a maze carved out of shrubs and much more. The long pool in front of the main building is extraordinary by itself, but also sports statues at each corner that are well worth a look.

Inside, the villa contains several frescoes including one by the famed Giovanni Tiepolo, including the Glory of the Pisani family. Others are by his son Gian Domenico, Guarana and other artists of the period. While most of the rooms are now empty, there are several on the first floor that contain furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The villa has seen its share of history, too. Napoleon acquired the villa in 1807 after one of his many conquests. It was recovered with his defeat a few years later. It has been a national monument since 1882. Hitler conferred with Mussolini, the WWII-era Fascist dictator of Italy, here in 1934.

There are other villas worthy of mention, as well.

- La Rotunda

Otherwise known as The Villa Capra, La Rotunda is among the most famous in an area containing several stellar examples. Designed by the famed architect Palladio, it was completed by his student in the late 16th century.

- Villa Emo Capodilista

Another from Palladio, this villa shows the master's use of a Greek style facade in the form of four large columns. The effect resembles a Greek temple and it isn't hard to imagine those living in it feeling divine. The grounds have several farm buildings that extend from the central structure.

- Villa Cornaro

Still another of Palladio's works, Villa Cornaro is located in Padova. An earlier design from 1533, it was among the first to have a two-story projecting loggia. The style was widely adopted by those following the innovative architect. It can be seen in Georgian and Colonial architecture all over the south in the U.S., for example. Similar elements can be seen in Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, which was based directly on the Villa Cornaro.

- Villa Contarini-Camerini

Another villa in Padova, this summer residence is perhaps the largest and most complex in this style. The interior holds a music hall frequently used by the oft invited composer Vivaldi. It houses many outstanding frescoes of the period, as well as a collection of maps and drawings.

Visit any of the villas near Venice and observe that the word has a very different meaning from its more common cousins in Tuscany.

Venice - Gallerie dell'Accademia

Venice - Gallerie dell'Accademia

L'Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia is one of Venice's foremost institutions of art. Founded in 1750 by the Venetian Senate, it contains some of the city's finest artistic treasures. Out of it evolved the gallery established by Napoleon in 1807 during the period he held Italy.

The rooms reflect the rich diversity that is Venice herself, one of Europe's main trading centers for centuries.

There are the Byzantium works, imported from the Middle East some by conquest, others by purchase. Polyptychs by Veneziano from the 14th century are one example. The 15th century Gothic art of Fiore and Vivarini represent two more.

Another room amply shows the rich color that can be seen in the homes and other objects of Venice. The works of the Father of the Venetian Renaissance, Jacopo Bellini, provide outstanding samples. His Madonna and Child shows the advances in perspective drawing and use of color characteristic of the period. Later artists, such as Carpaccio with his Ten Thousand Martyrs, built on this foundation.

Works by the master's son, Giovanni, in the mid-16th century show how far the art developed even over such a short time. His Madonna and Baby or Madonna and Dead Son may have similar subject matter to others. But the rich coloring of Venice reached new heights here. That same theme is carried on in works by Giorgione, such as his Tempest. The subtle hues of the nursing mother contrast with the bold soldier and the oncoming storm they watch.

Carpaccio's Miracle of the True Cross at Rialto displays superb early Renaissance style. It also provides a view of the famed bridge which was then the only crossing for the Grand Canal.

Other Venetian masters of the period are well represented, too.

Tintoretto's four scenes from the Life of San Marco show why he is revered in Venice to this day. His The Creation of the Animals is also essential viewing. The Feast in the House of Levi shows Veronese at the peak of his art. Gentile Bellini's Procession of the Relic of the Cross provides an excellent insight, through the eyes of the artist, into life in Venice at the end of the 15th century.

But, by far, some of the finest works in the Accademia in Venice are those of Giorgone's student, Titian. His Pieta for the tomb in Chiesa dei Frari, the Presentation of the Virgin and others all show the hand of the master at work. His self-portrait as an old man rivals the best of Rembrandt.

Later artists provided works that are among the best in the Gallerie.

Tiepolo's 18th century frescos are known to museum-goers around the world. Sections from one from the Chiesa degli Scalzi hangs here. Several Canaletto's are in the museum as well. This master of the outdoor Venetian scene was so accurate that his paintings are taken as the equal of photographs.

A visit to one of the largest collections of Venetian masters anywhere will reward visitors many times over.

Venice - St. Mark's Campanile

Venice - St. Mark's Campanile

The belltower of the Basilica di San Marco is much more than just an enclosure to house bells to ring the faithful on a Sunday morning. It is a symbol of Venice and one of its most significant structures. In a city like Venice, that's quite a claim.

The tower stands nearly 100 meters (98.6m or 323 feet) high. Freestanding in St. Mark's square it literally towers above many of the surrounding structures. Yet, unlike them, its facade is a simple and still elegant brick design. The base is 12 meters (39 feet) on a side and the attic houses five bells. Capped by a spire in the shape of a pyramid it is topped with a golden weathervane in the form of the Archangel Gabriel.

However, interestingly, the entire structure is a re-built replica. The original collapsed in 1902 after standing for nearly 500 years. It was recreated in 1912 to resemble the original exactly.

The initial construction took place still further back, beginning in the 9th century. But earthquake damage in the early 1500s gave the leaders of the Republic an incentive to rebuild. It was during this effort that the tower took on its present appearance, attracting such famous visitors as Galileo and (much later) Goethe.

For centuries it served not only to house the bells for the cathedral, but as a military watchtower and lighthouse. From its peak one could look out far beyond to warn of impending danger. The bells could then be rung not to call the faithful to church, but defenders to battle.

The bells serve different purposes by design. The largest was used to signal the start and end of a work day. Another rang out the hour. A third was used to call the Senators of Venice to the Doge's Palace.

The facade is more than just a plain, boring brick, however. Its gold leaf covering at the top scatters the warm summer rays of the Venetian sun around the Piazza. The faces of the belfry display walking lions along with a bas relief of a woman symbolizing Venice herself, called la Giustizia or Justice.

Inside an elevator transports visitors to the top to enjoy the magnificent view of the public square. From there one can also walk around the attic and investigate the details in the interior, including some of the amazing marble of the belfry.

Venice - Gondola Rides for All

Venice - Gondola Rides for All

A gondola ride in Venice can be a romantic voyage for two. Or it can be a fun group activity shared by half a dozen. Morning, afternoon, evening or nighttime are all options. Long, short and in between rides are all possible. Along the Grand Canal or out of the way locations are available. In short, when it comes to a gondola ride, there is no limit to your choices.

There are several convenient locations to catch a gondola ride. One way, popular with many, is simply to let your hotel work out the details. They bargain for you, or include a gondola ride as part of the package. They may even arrange transportation for you from the hotel to your point of embarkation. Many don't have to go that far, since you simply step out of the hotel and you're there already.

The main tourist sections are the best places to board. Venice has a few - though it's hard to narrow them down, since the city is one giant tourist attraction. Tronchetto, the Piazzale Roma, the Doge's Palace in Piazza San Marco are all good places to catch a ride.

Many of the pedestrian crossings in secondary canals will have men offering a gondola ride. Exercise caution, especially when handing out money, but most are actually there to drum up business, not to con you. You'll generally find less crowded (and slightly less expensive) rides in these less populated areas.

The 2mi/3km stretch along the Grand Canal is the most popular, because it covers some of Venice's grandest sights, including the Basilica di San Marco, the Campanile and others. But prices here do tend to be a little higher.

Prices currently range anywhere from €80 (about $120) for 40 minutes to €150 ($220) for an hour or more. These, however, are official rates set by the city government. Many gondoliers politely ignore them. Hence, your price could be lower (rare) or higher (more common).

Bargaining is normal and expected. But remember the basic principle of supply and demand. There are a relatively small number of boats and lots of tourists. Gondoliers rarely have to do much beyond wait for the next potential customer willing to meet their price. Costs per person can be lowered by sharing a ride with up to six.

If the cost strikes you as too high, forego the experience. The gondoliers often come from families that have been rowing up and down the Venetian canals for generations, sometimes centuries. Some gondolier activity began as far back as the 11th century. They don't need to be hassled, or to hassle you to make a living. There are plenty of low cost things to do in Venice if you're on a budget or just think the ride won't be worth it.

For those who choose to, the rides really are quite fun, though. The romantic aspect is mixed, since you'll be seen by thousands of people crowding the bridges across and streets along the canals. If you can ignore them, and only pay attention to the scenery (or each other), more power to you.

The Venice Carnival

Venice - The Venice Carnival

The famed Carnevale di Venezia has very old origins. There are documents as far back as 1268 discussing its games during the celebration. Though the carnival faded after Napoleon's invasion, it came roaring back again. Today, it is one of this already festive city's most celebrated events.

It takes place typically in February, and continues for about two weeks, ending with Lent. During this time the streets of Venice become even more crowded than usual. Though, given the city's population and popularity, it's hard to conceive.

Revelers will dance in the streets at night in mask and costume and blow horns, sing songs and just generally have a grand time. The idea of mask and costume wasn't all just for displaying color, however. They provided a means of disguise, an opportunity to be anonymous during the proceedings. So, party-goers could hide their identities and feel free to get wild.

In the present, the event is much less about riot and debauchery than sheer fun. Visitors and locals alike dress in elaborate costumes, often ones extremely expensive to rent. They then don a mask to hide their features and proceed to make merry.

Those masks and costumes run the gamut. Some masks resemble the traditional Commedia dell'Arte smiling or frowning face. Others look more or less like ordinary people. Still more are pig-snouts, Pinocchio or a hundred other possibilities. There is Pulcinella displaying a cone-shaped hat and beaked mask. There is the Arlecchino, the diamond pattern costume. Ostrich feathers, multi-colored silks and many more items combine to create the total effect.

But the carnival is not all individual chaos by the dressed and disguised. There are many planned events, hosted by the city and businesses.

The Volo dell'Angelo (Flight of the Angel) reveals the religious aspect that still hovers over some aspects of the event. A woman dressed as an angel slides down on ropes from the Campanile in the Piazza San Marco, the famed public square outside St. Mark's Basilica.

There is the Volo della Colombina, in which a mechanical bird makes a similar flight from the belltower near the cathedral. Its colorful plumage is only outdone by that worn by the revelers themselves.

There are costume balls, concerts, special dinners and much more.

Gondola rides down the Grand Canal take on an especially delightful air during the festivities. The already beautiful boats are decorated and one can observe costumed merry-makers gliding down the waterway singing lusty songs.

There are mask parades in St. Mark's Square and a fireworks display. And, of course, there are thousands of private parties that often spill out on to the streets or get invaded by those already on them.

Come visit Venice during Carnival time and you'll leave wondering why you ever thought Mardi Gras was anything special.

Venice, A Work of Art

Venice, A Work of Art

Venice isn't just romantic. It isn't just filled with art treasures. It doesn't merely host an array of the finest architecture, villas and palaces. It is all this and more. Much, much more.

St. Mark's Basilica is just one example among so many. This church is the rival of St. Peter's in Rome. Not as large and not so grand, but still an amazing work that remains among the finest anywhere.

Outside the Basilica di San Marco is the Campanile that served as its belltower. More than just a place to call the faithful, it also was a military lookout that helped keep Venice safe during perilous times. Today, it has a more aesthetic purpose, one that is the delight of travelers to this amazing city.

Hosting them both, along with other sights, is the Piazza. St. Mark's square is both a premier gathering place and stellar sight all its own. It houses a magnificent clocktower, provides access to the Doge's Palace and lends Venice grace and charm. It does all this, unlike many other public squares, in the fortunate absence of traffic and auto noise.

But, of course, Venice is best known for other things, such as its canals and gondola rides. Whether boating lazily down the Grand Canal, the city's main waterway, or along one of the dozens of secondary channels, visitors can get an excellent view of much of the city.

Along the Grand Canal there is the Rialto and the other main bridges that cross it. Whether moving up it by vaporetto, or in one of the lovely gondolas, some of the best views of the many palaces on its shores are available from this vantage point.

For example, one can gain easy access to the loggia of the Ca' d'Oro - The Golden House - from the canal. Palazzo Grassi is only a short vaporetto ride away. Either can serve as an outstanding example of Venetian architecture.

Still more samples, in very different styles, are only a short boat ride away: the Villas of Venice. Villa Pisani was begun in the early 1700s and modeled on Versailles in Paris. La Rotunda, one of the many creations of the world-famous architect Palladio, is not far away. Padova holds many others, such as the Villa Cornaro and the Villa Contarini-Camerini.

Several islands are also only a short trip outside the main city. Murano offers the famed glass works of Venice's artisans, whose skills have been renowned in this art for centuries. Burano offers a museum dedicated to the lace that craftsmen here have been astounding the world with for just as long.

Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and see a large collection of works of the master Renaissance painter Tintoretto. See many more by others at the Gallerie dell'Accademia. Go to La Fenice and see all the arts of Venice - painting, architecture and opera - all in one spot.

Come for the two weeks before Lent and become a theater performer yourself by participating in Carnevale. You'll go home with a mask you may want never to remove. The people of Venice are beautiful. But, the treasures they live with will bring on a smile that will outlast any cast in ceramic.

Venice - The Grand Canal

Venice - The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal in Venice is a main waterway through the city. If offers great scenery, pleasant gondola rides and more to visitors and locals alike. As Venice's 'Main Street' the Grand Canal is a must see. The Rialto Bridge and other spectacular sights mean that no visit to this lovely Italian city is complete otherwise.

One option is to take a short stroll and see the Fondaco dei Turchi, Venice's Natural History Museum. Built in the 13th century, this magnificent structure provides one of the great views from a gondola. It also has many interesting items within to explore. Though parts are still under construction, there is a section with dinosaurs and a small aquarium. It also houses the Correr Museum.

A ride along the Grand Canal can easily be the highlight of a trip to Venice, and there are several ways to go about it.

Gondola rides are ever popular, despite their somewhat high price. Groups up to six can board and split the price. Sights along the leisurely trip include the Basilica di San Marco, the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and much more. Making arrangements through your hotel is one way to avoid haggling.

But there are other vehicles that cross or navigate the Grand Canal as well. The vaporetto, or water taxis, are small boats that travel along all of the city's canals, including the Grand Canal. Like bus lines in other major cities, they are numbered and have distinct starting and stopping points. Pick up a free map when you reach Venice and you'll quickly locate a route you'd like to travel.

Passenger boats, called traghetti, generally only go from one side to the other, but they can still be a fun (albeit, short) ride. There are only a few bridges that cross the Grand Canal along its 2 mile/3 km length. These old gondolas move visitors from one side to the other without requiring a long walk to one of the bridges. Since the canal ranges from 30-70m (100-230 feet) wide, your trip can vary in length.

If you travel along the waterways at night, you'll have a chance to peer into some of the palaces that have large, well-lit arches. You're close enough to get a very good view of the highly decorated interiors. Many find this a good way to decide which they'd like to explore further during the day.

Another very fun option is to take one of the water taxis to any of the nearby islands. Visitors can see famed glass works, churches and more on Murano and Burano, Lido and Torcello. Beaches similar to the Hamptons in the northeast U.S. offer visitors everything from warm sun to cool drinks.

Venice - Ca' d'Oro

Venice - Ca' d'Oro

The Golden House of Venice is one of the city's most outstanding works of architecture. In a city renowned for them, that is quite a claim. But the accolade is well earned.

As a main European center of trade for centuries, Venice enjoyed influences from all over the continent and the Middle East. This mixture affected architecture along with much else in this cosmopolitan city.

Constructed in the mid-15th century, Ca' d'Oro rises alongside the Grand Canal, the main waterway of the town. After 1430 it served as the home of the Contarini family. One of the quasi-noble families of the region, it gave Venice eight of its Doges between 1043 and 1676.

The pink and white facade, once gold leafed and giving the building its name, is a classic in the Venetian Gothic style. It sports the pointed arches of the Byzantine and elaborately carved posts with capitals that bear little resemblance to the Greek. The near-floral designs were the work of Giovanni Bon, a noted architect of the period.

The entrance is on the ground floor in a colonnaded loggia that is accessible directly from the canal level. Above this is a magnificent enclosed balcony, which is just outside the art gallery on the upper floor. Once inside, the view becomes even more impressive.

The inner courtyard gives a sense of peace in an otherwise bustling city - in those rare moments when it isn't crowded with awe-struck visitors. The vera di pozzo or wellhead provides an interesting sight while resting one's feet. Further on the reasons for those amazed expressions aren't far to seek.

There are 16th century Flemish tapestries in one room. In another, one can find a collection of bronzes spanning the 12th - 16th centuries. Furniture from nearly every period and place fill every room.

The gallery holds paintings that would compete on equal terms with those in the Gallerie dell'Accademia not far away. There is Mantegna's San Sebastiano and Venus at the Mirror by Titian. There are paintings by Tintoretto, Giorgione and Carpaccio. The Dutch even made it to Venice in the form of works by Van Dyck and Jan Steen.

Outside, the balcony provides a breathtaking view of the Grand Canal. While there, don't just look down. Look out and up to get a close-up view of the intricately carved quatrefoil windows. The polychrome marble incrustations are alone worth the climb to this second floor.

From this loggia one gains easy access to a small room containing outstanding ceramics. There are cups and plates, and a small collection of kitchenware that would impress even the wealthiest in 15th century Venice.

Visit Ca' d'Oro and discover why, even shorn of its gold exterior, the Golden House is a treasure.

Venice - Teatro La Fenice

Venice - Teatro La Fenice

The Fenice Theater in Venice is a world famous opera house. But even for those whose musical tastes run elsewhere, it's a tourist's delight.

First constructed in the late 18th century, the theater burned to the ground in January of 1996. Official investigations led to uncertain conclusions, but arson was strongly suspected. What no official was in doubt about was the need to rebuild it. So it was - and as close to the original in appearance as humanly possible.

The architect and construction company obviously did their homework. For, apart from things looking a lot newer than a 200-year old opera house should look, it is virtually indistinguishable from the original.

The project to rebuild the famed venue gained international support. Americans paid for the ceiling, while British donors bought the stellar chandeliers. After five thousand trips down the Grand Canal, the work was complete.

Over the years the theater has played host to such famed musical names as Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi. Rich and poor, highborn and low alike flocked to hear them and the music they created. Italians from all walks of life love their opera.

Today, one can enjoy here the leading artists of the day sing and play many of the works of those masters. La Traviata is performed here in a way that can be heard nowhere else. Be forewarned, though, that (like the original) some seats don't even have a view of the stage. The acoustics continue to be truly fine.

For those whose interest is chiefly in the building, rather than those who star in it, there is still much to offer. Daytime tours provide a view of some of the most fascinating aspects of this historic structure.

Walking along these hallowed halls tourists will enjoy seeing the elaborate plaster decorations. The gilding was all carefully recreated to give the walls and ceiling the look they had for nearly two centuries.

Knowledgeable tour guides fill visitors in on the history of the building and its most notable performers. For 45 minutes it becomes very easy to imagine oneself a member of the class that would have been taken on private tours generations earlier.

Audio guides are available in Italian, German, French, Spanish and English. The guided tours are also available in those languages, but a group of at least ten is required. With so many tourists in Venice, it's a simple matter to gather even strangers to participate. Some tours include a cocktail at the end, served in the Apollinee Halls.

Venice - Palazzo Grassi

Venice - Palazzo Grassi

Anyone who was anyone in 18th century Venice simply had to have their own palace. And so it was with the Bolognese Grassi family. Contrary to popular thinking, aristocracy isn't always hereditary. One can sometimes buy one's way in. So it was with the Grassi and one of the patron's later acts was to commission a grand dwelling on the Grand Canal.

Engaging the neoclassical architect Giorgio Massari, the builder set to work in 1745 to design the sumptuous building. Completed in 1775, it bore little resemblance to the Byzantine structures elsewhere, or even the Renaissance buildings so prominent in the area.

Located opposite the Ca' Rezzonico, the facade is imposing and rises up several stories in a large block. Stylistic elements are everywhere on display. Large windows regularly line the entire upper exterior, with none below. The arches display some of the finest carving of any of the structures near St. Mark's Square.

But the most impressive part is the interior, which now houses numerous works of art. Purchased by the Fiat group in 1983, the museum was enhanced over an already high level. It's now owned by a French businessman, François Pinault (the owner of Christie's auction house), who put his private collection on display.

That collection numbers over 2,000 works gathered over a period of 30 years. Owing to the renovations carried out a couple of years ago, the interior space now boasts the best of both worlds. It has the neoclassical look of 18th century Venice combined with the most modern painting display features.

There is ample track lighting and white walls to illuminate the works. There are also areas fed by natural light, those that face the Grand Canal. Many of the works on display are from the past 50 years, including Koons' sculpture of a balloon dog and his Hanging Heart.

Climbing the grand staircase decorated with hot pink teardrops made of nylon resin, one reaches the second floor, which offers American and European art from 1960-1990. Included are works by Rothko, Flavin, Hirst and Warhol.

There's also a 600-seat outdoor theater where performances of Vivaldi can be heard that make it easy to imagine listening to their debut.

The palace is easy to find. Simply take a vaporetto, one of Venice's water taxis, to the San Samuele or Sant Angelo stop.

Venice - Scuola Grande Di San Rocco

Often compared to the Sistine Chapel Ceiling in Rome, the paintings in San Rocco by the Venetian master Tintoretto easily demonstrate why. While none can surpass Michelangelo, this native artist was indeed one of the most outstanding of the Renaissance. And the over 50 paintings housed here make plain why the comparison is warranted.

But first, the building.

Next door to the San Rocco Church, the Scuola Grande is a highlight of the Venetian Renaissance. The best view of the facade is gained from two vantage points. Take in the whole from far away in order to enjoy the columns and the overall look. Then move in closer.

The close up view allows seeing the elaborate carvings near the base of those columns and the fine gilding that covers the pedestals. From this vantage point one can see the delicate stone work that forms the tops of the columns set in the windows. The floral pattern betrays the Byzantine influences that were still a part of Venetian architecture during the Renaissance.

The building sees double-duty as both art museum and concert hall. Listening to Monteverdi in this setting it is easy to imagine oneself a native of the period.

But the main attraction remains the interior decoration and works created under the guidance of Jacopo Tintoretto. Such works as the Allegories, Life and Passion of Christ and many others made him one of the most sought after religious painters of the day.

Visitors from all over the world come here to see The Annunciation and The Epiphany. They spend long periods enraptured by the beauty and depth of The Flight to Egypt. Tintoretto was famed for his mastery of perspective gleaned from Michelangelo, his use of color learned by studying Titian and the psychological depth of his characterizations which can't be taught.

The two large main rooms of San Rocco are covered - walls, ceilings and stairways - with evidence of this artist's skill and insight. The ceiling is low, making it easier to see the art. Rising up the highly decorated staircase brings one within easy reach of equally impressive objects, such as the massive paintings hanging from the rafters.

The works gathered here were created over a period of more than 20 years. The results, which began from a contest held in 1564, show how much he achieved in that time.

His winning entry of Saint Rocco in Glory hangs in the center of the ceiling. His Last Supper shows his unconventionality, as it focuses on the gift of the Eucharist, rather than a simple conversation between the apostles. From early works to paintings made in maturity, Tintoretto continued to astound his contemporaries. His work creates that same reaction today.

Visit the Scuola Grande Di San Rocco and see for yourself why.

The Liechtenstein Museum

The Liechtenstein Museum is, as many people say, a temple of baroque . For a long time that statement was offensive. But now exactly this place is the proof that the wealth of baroque does not have to overwhelm, but also serve certain mission. The Liechtenstein museum enlivens the art. Famous Austrian architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was one of the people who seeked the possibility to build the palace on the order of duke Adam I. However he became engaged in the project of Belveder Palace . But there were still two other architects, Domenico Egidio Rossi and Domenico Martinelli, interested in duke's offer. Eventually it was Martinelli that after three years from the beginning of works replaced Rossiego and finished working on a project .

The whole building is a mixture of the urban and country style , Romanesque and baroque style , and it represents the prince's conservative taste.

Not only the facade and interior can impress , but also the private collection of Liechtenstein family , and particularly the collection of prince Adam II of Liechtenstein. Admiring the collection is possible since 29 March 2004. The public can see works of the greatest painters of four ages, from the renaissance to romanticism. There are displayed paintings of Rafael, Breugle family , Peter Paul Ruben, Anton van Dyck, Fransa Hals, Rembrandt, Franza Xaver Messerschmidt, Jakob Gabriel Mollinarolo, Giambologna and Adrian de Fries . This is certainly the reason why tourists cannot miss the visit in the Liechtenstein Museum.

The aim of the exhibition is to present the spectator the historical integrity, not the division on the separate kinds of art. The paintings and sculptures are integrated with the artistic interior decorations creating the whole. That place can be treated as the example of classic temple of muses . The largest baroque hall in Europe, which is situated in the central part of the museum, is the artistic phenomenon. Walking around the halls of the museum we feel the breath of the art history which in a certain way „happens” before our very eyes. Also the garden and orangery surrounding the building make an impression on visitors. There we will also find vases and sculptures - originally they were placed by Giovanni Giuliani according to Giuseppe Mazz's plan, but later, in 1820, they were arranged in more neoclassical style, according to Joseph Kornhaeusel's plan .

The Liechtenstein museum possesses also its divisions in different parts of Vienna. Kunstmuseum in Vaduz is also connected with the Liechtenstein museum.

The Innere Stadt District

The Innere Stadt literally means "internal city ” in other words “the city in the city”. The district is situated between Leopoldstadt (the North East), Landstrasse ( the East), Wieden and Mariahilf (the South), Neubau and Josefstadt ( the West) and Alsergrund ( the North). The Innere Stadt is the oldest district of Vienna, it contains the historic areas and the Centre. The district was split into quarters - Stubenviertel (the North East), Kärntner Viertel (the South East), Widmerviertel (the South West) and Schottenviertel (the North West). Until 1850 the Innere Stadt was the equivalent of Vienna, and after that year it started to be treated as a separate district in extending city.

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The Hofburg Palace

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The Danube Tower (Donauturm)

The tallest building of Vienna (50 metres higher than Millennium Tower) is at 4 Donauturmstrasse on the area of Donauparku ( a garden created in 1963-64). It is between Dunaube and Old Danaube, the centre of Vienna, Florisdorf and Donaustadt. This relatively new tourist attraction of Austrian capital is only 40 years old, but it has 252 metres of height. The tower was designed by prof. Hannes Lintl in 1962 . In 2001 the architect was awarded Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art. His projects are also television towers in Bagdad (destroyed during the war), in Montreal and Djakarta. The building of the Danaube Tower started on October 12 and continued for next 18 months. In 1964 Austrian president Adolf Schärf officially opened the tower.

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Hundertwasserhause

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San Francisco - Union Square

San Francisco is a tourist's delight for those seeking a mixture of old and new. One of the best examples of that contrast is Union Square.

Built in 1847, the square was designated from the outset as a public plaza. A $25 million renovation, completed in 2002, has brought the area to its current high point.

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The West Coast Jewel

From its magnificent bayside vistas to the intimate cafes, San Francisco offers a visit par excellence.

Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge may be the city's two most well known attractions - and well deserving of their reputations - but the city at the lower edge of Northern California offers much more.

Rides on the famed cable cars may not be the fastest way to get around (they never go more than 10 miles per hour), but they are one of the most fun. Up and down the steep hills near Pier 39 and through Union Square, they provide a wonderful glance back at history while seeing the latest sights.

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The Science and Nature Experience

Founded by Frank Oppenheimer, the brother of J. Robert Oppenheimer and himself a physicist, the Exploratorium contains over 650 exhibits that can't be properly described - they have to be experienced.

Almost all are interactive and hands-on. There's the Tactile Dome, where you make your way along a dark maze entirely by feeling the walls made of various textures. There's a small 'experiment' in which you can find out what a tornado is like by feeling it. But far from focusing only on touch, this unusual 'museum' excites all the senses and the mind.

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Haight Ashbury

Chinatown isn't San Francisco's only culturally distinct neighborhood. From an area uptown near the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets sprawls "The Haight". Several blocks of record shops, restaurants, antique stores and more, it still bears the look and feel of the mid-60s 'Hippie Revolution'.

Parts of The Haight have changed little since 1967 and the Summer of Love. The restaurant names have changed and there are now tours where once there was just wandering. But if you're looking for an original Jefferson Airplane or Grateful Dead album on vinyl, this is the place to come.

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Golden Gate Park

At over 1,000 acres Golden Gate Park is larger than Central Park in Manhattan. And, no less impressive too!

In one of the busiest cities anywhere, visitors can enjoy archery, basketball, biking, skating and a host of other activities. There are tennis courts, a golf course, even flycasting pools.

Or you can take a break from all the hustle and bustle and simply relax and enjoy viewing the many sculptures, bridges and flowers and let the dogs do all the running around.

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The Golden Gate Bridge

In 1937, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in the White House. That simple action officially announced an event much of the world was already anticipating: the opening of The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. After four years of construction and a cost of millions of dollars and many lives, one of the world's greatest bridges had been born.

With a span of 4,200 feet (1280m), a record that stood for 27 years, and two 746 ft (227m) towers the six lane bridge crosses the Golden Gate strait in San Francisco Bay. The span record lasted until the completion of the Verrazano Narrows bridge connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island in 1964 and is still disputed owing to differences in the way measurements are made.

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Fisherman's Wharf

One of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf alone has enough to see and do to consume the entire vacation.

The area is one of the stopping points of the famous cable car rides and houses a Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, the USS Pampanito Submarine Museum and gobs of other attractions.

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Chinatown

There are over six million people in the San Francisco area, with 750,000 in the Bay Area itself. Nestled within that vast sea of individuals is a conclave known around the world as Chinatown. Most large U.S. cities (and many outside) have a 'Chinatown'. But, including even New York, the most authentic is unquestionably that of San Francisco.

In an area near North Beach, bound roughly by Grant Avenue and Bush Street, Broadway and Larkin Street, lies a population of the ancestors of 19th century immigrants from China. They arrived literally by the boatload, seeking freedom and fortune during the post-1849 Gold Rush and the building of the Transcontinental Railroads.

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Cable Cars, Old and New

San Francisco is, intentionally no doubt, one of the most eccentric and mixed metropoli on the planet. The town is heavily populated with residents strongly opposed to anything commercial.

Yet, it is also home to corporate headquarters of one of the world's largest banks (Bank of America) and several other mega-companies. Nowhere is this split personality more evident than, in of all places, the city's popular Cable Car rides.

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Aquariums of San Francisco

Visitors to San Francisco have a choice of three major options when seeking an aquarium. Fortunately, there's no way to go wrong - all three are terrific.

Aquarium by the Bay

The Aquarium by the Bay, first opened in 1996, houses dozens of exhibits holding thousands of animals. There are hundreds of interesting species on display - everything from nearly invisible sea horses to all too visible sharks.

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San Francisco - Alcatraz

For a structure that served the purpose that made it famous for less than 30 years, Alcatraz is an enduring monument to a bygone era.

By the time it first came into use as a U.S. Federal Penitentiary in 1934 prohibition had already ended. (Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to outlaw the sale of alcoholic beverages was passed in January 1919, but repealed in December 1933.) Nonetheless, Alcatraz' most famous figure from that activity, Al Capone, took up 'residence' from 1934 to 1939, when he was released.

Arriving not long after Capone's release was another prisoner, almost as well known. Robert Stroud was transferred from Leavenworth in 1942. Nicknamed the 'Birdman of Alcatraz', he wrote several books both before and during his incarceration. (The nickname was popularized by a best-selling book and subsequent film.) Ironically, he kept no birds at Alcatraz.

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The Art Experience at The Legion of Honor

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is an art experience inside and out. Housing a fine collection, the museum is located on a stellar site with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay.

Re-opened in 1995 after a two-year, $35 million renovation, even the building itself is a work of art. Inside there are over 4,000 years of art, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics mostly of European style.

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The Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor remains one of Madrid's chief tourist attractions. Though called by many names over the centuries and subject to several fires, it retains its allure. The reasons are not hard to find. While not an architectural work of art, the plaza is one of the best places in Madrid to relax and watch the blend of citizen and visitor.

Over the centuries the plaza has hosted bullfights, political battles, festivals and more than one beheading. Today, the most likely site for a tourist lazily munching on a sandwich and enjoying the sunshine. The surrounding shops offer a good reason for a pleasant stroll and for the truly curious, you can visit the baker's guild.

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Shopping In Madrid

While perhaps not as well known for it as London or New York, Madrid has dozens of excellent places to shop. Whether you're looking for a valuable antique or just a simple gift for someone back home, Madrid has much to offer. You may be looking for exclusive shops - of which there are many, or you may want a flea market atmosphere. Madrid has it all.

Tourists can spend time in the hippie quarter in Lavapies or head north to Gran Via, Madrid's premier shopping street. Even at night the shopping in Madrid never stops. The impromptu stalls around Plaza Mayor are always staffed with someone ready to make a deal. Many are just tourist traps, so beware how you bargain. There's no point in coming all the way to Madrid just to get junk you could buy anywhere.

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Retiro Park

While Parque del Buen Retiro (at about 300 acres) is much smaller than New York's Central Park (840 acres) it is nonetheless magnificent. Filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events, it is rightfully one of Madrid's premier attractions.

The park grounds were once the province of a royal palace of Phillip IV. Evidence of that remains in the form of the CasĂłn Del Buen Retiro and the Museo del EjĂŠrcito. The remaining buildings were decimated largely by the Napoleonic wars around the beginning of the 19th century.

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Queen Sofia Art Center

Located at Calle Santa Isabel 52, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is just the ticket for fans of Picasso, Miro, Solana and other notable Spanish artists.

A relatively young museum, established in 1991, the Queen Sofia contains hundreds of works by dozens of artists, including the famed Guernica by Picasso. As a result it is now ranked among the most important collections in modern art in Europe.

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Puerta del Sol

Spanish for 'Gate of the Sun', Puerta del Sol is one of Madrid's most popular tourist destinations. At its center lies the paving slab just outside the Casa de Correos that marks the spot from which radiates the six main highways traversing Spain. It is a good point from which to begin to explore this delightful part of the city.

The gates were once the entrance to Madrid. Like many medieval towns it was surrounded in the 15th century by a protective wall. Through the gate passed traders and visitors from all over the known world. It gradually grew to an important meeting place for important merchants and politicians.

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Palacio Real

Second only to Versailles in size and splendor, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Madrid is an architectural marvel and a treasure trove. Nearly three thousand rooms, with 240 balconies and over forty staircases, this magnificent work is one of Madrid's major tourist attractions

Even though less than 10% of the room is open to the public, there is still far more than a visitor could see in a single day. Everywhere the eye looks can be seen fine rococo decoration, lush tapestries, bejeweled clocks, delicate porcelain and thousands of other precious objects.

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Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

The name may be a challenge for English speakers, but Madrid's newest art museum is very easy to love for individuals of any nationality. Drawn from the possessions collected over generations of a wealthy family, the contents form one of the greatest gatherings of paintings in the world.

The museum got its beginning when the Spanish government offered to purchase that collection in 1993 for $350 million and converted the late 18th century Villahermosa Palace into the present site to house it. The family, overflowing with paintings in a Swiss villa near Lugano, Switzerland, took the offer and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza was the result. The museum renovation added another $45 million to the total price.

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Museo del Prado

One of the most visited tourist spots in Madrid, the Prado Museum is home to over 7,000 paintings. Though the emphasis is heavily on the three most famous Spanish masters - Goya, VelĂĄzquez and El Greco - there are major and minor masterpieces from dozens of other artists.

Surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens, visitors have the opportunity to spend hours enjoying this early 19th century site and its contents. The museum was completed in 1819 and the bulk of the early collection was drawn from paintings gathered by Spanish nobility.

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Convent of the Royal Barefoot Sisters

Barefoot nuns might sound like the premise for a comedy skit, but rest assured these sisters are no joke. The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is both a functioning convent and a treasure trove of art.

Founded by the daughter of Charles V in 1559 as a retreat for noblewomen, the nunnery has maintained its commitment to its religious principles for centuries. Tours of the grounds and artifacts housed there began in the last few decades.

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City of Art and Life

Madrid has a long and complex history. Center of power of a monarchy that for centuries ruled half the world, it is now one of the major tourist spots of Europe. Once ground zero of the Spanish Inquisition it is now best known for its zestful nightclubs, outstanding shopping centers and life-celebrating art.

Any trip to Madrid will reward the visitor with first-rate bullfights or soccer, shopping third in Europe only to London and Paris, art museums that are second to none and parks as good as those in New York's Manhattan. In short, be prepared to spend some time here.

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Biblioteca Nacional

Going to a library isn't most tourists idea of a good time. But if you visit Madrid and don't stop in to the Biblioteca Nacional for at least an hour you'll be missing out on one of the city's finest attractions.

The facade alone is worth spending time viewing. Neoclassical, and an excellent version it is, the building is near the Plaza de ColĂłn. There are three entrance archways and the best way to view the building is to walk straight forward then look up. The scale is impressive.

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Basilica de San Francisco El Grande

The church of San Francisco is one of Madrid's most important buildings and offers a fascinating tour. With a dome larger than that of St. Paul's Cathedral it is an architectural marvel. Filled with paintings and sculpture, it is also an art lover's treat.

Located in an older part of Madrid, the church has an imposing edifice in three sections with neo-classical facades. Inside, visitors can see the imposing 108 foot (33m) dome and the barrel vaulted ceiling. Covered in a dazzling array of frescoes and with extraordinary stained-glass windows, the basilica is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.

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The Spanish Steps

Though the name may not be entirely accurate (they were built by the French), the Spanish Steps in Rome deliver true delight to visitors of any nationality. 'Ah,' some will say, 'they are just stairs'. A way to get from the Villa Mčdici to the Piazza di Spagna. But, as any traveler knows, it's how you get there that counts as much as the destination.

Constructed between 1723 and 1725 the Spanish Steps or Scalinata di Spagna are 137 steps arrayed near the Piazza di Spagna - a triangular outdoor plaza and one of Rome's most frequently visited tourist destinations.

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Westminster Abbey

Church, burial ground, coronation site and much more, Westminster Abbey continues to attract visitors over 900 years after its founding.

In many respects the architecture is common. There's the traditional cross-shaped floor plan with a nave, north and south transepts and several round side areas. But both its execution and use raise The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster (the official name) to among the highest examples of church construction.

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Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is the center of England in more ways than one. At its south end lies what used to be Charing Cross, the point from which all distances to London are measured. Long since, the cross erected by Edward I in 1290 (as a tribute to his wife, Eleanor) has been replaced by a statue of Charles I atop a horse.

The major construction was completed in 1845 and has enjoyed continual popularity since - sometimes to the regret of its sponsors. The large open piazza-style area is often the preferred site of political demonstrations, and has been from its beginning.

The centerpiece of the center of England is unquestionably the 185-foot column, with the 17-foot statue of Lord Nelson at its peak. This is fitting since the square itself was designed as a tribute to Nelson's military victory of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

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Things To Do

If you have five years for a vacation you might be able to see about half of what London has to offer. No matter your tastes - whether modern or classical art, monuments and museums, zoos and gardens, nightclubs, theater, music, and on and on - it's here in abundance.

A perfect blend of ancient and modern, London has over 200 galleries and 300 museums, and 150 events a day to interest the traveler. One could see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels in the morning and the Tate art museums in the afternoon. Or visit Parliament early then shop at Harrods later.

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The West End

For the London traveler looking for variety, the West End is the place to be. Piccadilly Circus is next door, where antique book shops mix with the latest restaurants and Covent Garden is not far. And, then of course, there's the world-renowned theater - the rival (some would say tutor) of Broadway.

Soho is a short walk away. For those interested in the red-light district in the home of the Puritans, that's here - and has been for over a century.

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The Tower of London

London - The Tower of London

Few prisons can claim to be as popular as the Tower of London, an attraction - unpleasant for some - for over 900 years. Its twenty towers are filled with an ancient tradition of royal blood, armor and jewels and the history to match.

The central structure began as a fort - used by the original builder William the Conqueror who completed the first tower around 1100 AD. At its completion it was the tallest building in London. Henry III had it whitewashed in the 13th century and the name, White Tower, has stuck.

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The Nature Experience

London has such a long history, filled with great churches, monuments, art and history museums that seeking nature here often isn't what immediately comes to mind. But that's an error, since London is home to one of the oldest zoos in existence and one of the newest aquariums.

The London Zoo was first established in 1828 to house animals for scientific study. (At the time, Britain could boast the foremost naturalists in the world. Probably no single country could claim the number one spot today. Science, like business, has gone global.) Nearly twenty years passed before the facility was opened to the public.

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The Natural History Museum

Since its founding in the mid-19th century, the Natural History museum has offered one of the largest, most diverse collections in the world. The dinosaur exhibits are world-renowned, but there are dozens of others equally deserving of a visit.

The building itself makes the trip worthwhile. Completed in 1880, the Italian Renaissance design sports an ornate terracotta facade with several stepped arches. It looks as much like a Gothic cathedral as a museum. Terracotta was popular, as it stood up well to Victorian soot. The exterior is festooned with hundreds of carvings that reflect the contents of the interior.

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The National Gallery

Throughout its troubled history, the National Gallery in London has persevered to maintain one of the greatest art collections in the world.

Having no Royal collection with which to begin, the museum found its start with the purchase of a mere 38 paintings from the estate of a recently deceased banker, J.J. Angerstein. Housed in his home at 100 Pall Mall for the first 10 years of its existence, the National Gallery opened to the public there in 1824.

Finding the museum frequently overcrowded and ill-adapted for the display of paintings, the directors finally persuaded Parliament to sponsor a new home near Trafalgar Square. The move was fortunate and the collection expanded accordingly.

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The London Eye

One of the best ways to see London is from the air. Unfortunately, that was fairly difficult until recently. Now it's as easy as stepping onto a platform that moves slower than the average escalator into the London Eye pod.

The London Eye can only approximately be described as an enormous Ferris Wheel. The designers beginning with the originators Julia Barfield and David Marks have produced an engineering marvel. True enough it rotates in a circle through a vertical plane. But it never stops or starts apart from the occasional need to accommodate the elderly or handicapped.

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The British Museum

Like most museums in London, The British Museum is free of admission (though some events and special exhibitions have an admission charge). But were it the most expensive attraction in the city, it would be worth the price. Often rated the number one tourist attraction, it houses millions of artifacts from around the world and through history.

Beginning with the collection that branched off to the Natural History Museum, for over 250 years the institution has offered viewers a chance to see history up close in large and small.

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St Paul's Cathedral

For three hundred years St Paul's Cathedral has served as one of the enduring symbols of London, a role it richly deserves. Completed in 1708, Sir Christopher Wren's masterwork is recognized the world over by its large dome and classical architecture.

The fame of the dome is particularly ironic since the plans, third in succession after two rejected models, didn't call for one. Wren took advantage of a clause in the commission permitting him to make 'ornamental' changes.

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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is in fact long gone - closed by Puritans in 1642 and taken down 2 years later. Fortunately for fans of the bard, there's a faithful reproduction housed only a few hundred meters from the original site.

The consuming passion of too-little known American actor Sam Wanamaker, the Globe offers performances of Shakespeare's plays during the summer along with tours of the facility. Wanamaker died shortly after construction began.

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Royal Observatory, Greenwich

To most, the question "What time is it?" is mundane. But to the men and women whom, over the centuries since 1675, have worked at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich it is of huge importance.

Evolving from an era when, in 1386 at the Salisbury Cathedral, the time was measured in quarters of an hour indicated by the gong of a bell, the atomic clocks of today are precise to one second in a million years. Fortunately for visitors to Greenwich, approximately 23 minutes east of Big Ben, dozens of artifacts from everything in between those extremes has been preserved.

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Piccadilly Circus

At the junction of Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue lies a trapezoidal area near London's West End known to the world as Piccadilly Circus.

It's an odd name, since there's no circus there, but even odder is that 'circus' usually denotes a round city area where several streets meet in a circle. After the Roman plan. But that eccentricity fits Piccadilly, since this area of the great British capital attracts the most diverse set of people in an already diverse town.

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Madame Tussaud's - London Planetarium

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is one of the very few attractions in London that is both centuries old and completely modern.

Madame Tussaud learned her unusual craft of modeling figures in wax by creating death masks of those executed by guillotine in 18th and 19th century France. Among her 'clients' were Louis XVI and Marie Antionette. That mixture of precise art and macabre display is reflected in the modern museum - but with a much greater sense of fun!

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Kew Palace and Gardens

"It's good to be king!" announced the Austrian ruler in Amadeus. Well, it wasn't so bad to be a wealthy merchant either. Kew Palace, known at Dutch House until 1827, was built in 1631 for the Dutch merchant Samuel Fortrey.

Mr. Fortrey's descendants wisely leased the Jacobean mansion to Queen Caroline in 1728 for 99 years for 'the rent of Ł100 and a fat doe'. The Queen made an excellent bargain.

For the price, she received a palace and gardens that are now the rival of any in the world. Though small by contemporary standards the 21m(70ft) by 15m(50ft) structure has been recently restored to its former splendor. The ten year project has had stellar results, even down to some excellent and unique Flemish brickwork.

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Kensington Palace & Kensington Gardens

Kensington Palace has been home to royalty from long before Queen Victoria's birth there in 1819 to Princess Diana's residence until her death to today.

Still in use as a working Royal Residence, there are nonetheless many areas open to public viewing - and have been since Queen Victoria opened the State Apartments to the public in 1899.

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Hyde Park

Perhaps most famous for the Speaker's Corner, where citizens stand atop a soapbox and shout their views to the crowd, there's much more to see and do here than listen to political opinions.

The land forming the park was first acquired by Henry VIII from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536. While Henry used the park for deer hunting, the horseback riding today is strictly not for sport.

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Harrods

Much of London, for the tourist anyway, is historical. Ancient buildings and centuries old monuments. Palaces and works of art from the ages. But not Harrods. Harrods, even while its origins are from over 150 years ago, is as up-to-date as the latest computer.

The world's greatest department store was established on its current site in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, a wholesale grocer. Harrod's son Charles Digby rapidly grew the business and by 1880 employed 100 staff.

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Buckingham Palace

Though one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain's monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria's designation in 1837.

Much of the building was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House (as it was then known) was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a private residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard.

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Along Whitehall – Banqueting House, Churchill Museum & Parliament

To many the name 'Whitehall' evokes 'British Government'. And, indeed, the Houses of Parliament are at one end of the road running north from Parliament Square. But there's much more along this major London artery than the Palace of Westminster, home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The name derives from the original Palace of Whitehall, home to royalty and its ministers for centuries until destroyed by fire in 1698. Fortunately for today's visitors The Banqueting House, completed in 1622, survived.

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Villa Borghese

Like every metropolitan city, Rome is a bustling, buzzing hive of outdoor activity. While much of that is naturally a source of excitement for tourists, there comes a time when anyone will want to find some peace and quiet. No spot in Rome could serve that purpose better than Villa Borghese.

Moderate-sized by some standards, the Villa Borghese is 148 acres (80 hectares) of greenery containing aviaries, museums and a stunning artificial lake. A vineyard in the 16th century, Cardinal Borghese had it transformed into a park with geometric landscaping ala Versailles. A villa, whose design was based on a sketch by Cardinal Borghese himself, was later constructed.

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Vatican Museums

Rome - Vatican Museums

An entire article could easily be taken up solely by listing the names of all the galleries and museums comprising the Vatican Museums. Naming the artists and their works would take up several more. Describing them takes entire catalogs, held in the Vatican Library.

Growing from humble beginnings with Pope Julius II's 1506 acquisition of the sculpture of LaocoĂśn and his sons in the grips of a sea serpent, it now numbers dozens of individual galleries and thousands of works of art.

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The Sistine Chapel

Rome - The Sistine Chapel

Though named after Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned the chapel construction, the Sistine Chapel was given everlasting fame by Pope Julius II. For, in 1508, it was he who commissioned Michaelangelo to paint frescoes to cover the 10,000 square foot ceiling.

But on the way to the ceiling there are many delights for visitors to Rome and Vatican City, of which the Sistine forms a part. The chapel is nearby the Vatican Museum, itself worth a day or two. And, St. Peter's is also not far away with another Michaelangelo masterpiece, the Pieta not to mention the dome of the basilica.

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The Roman Forum

Located in a valley between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill, the Forum Romanum is one of the foremost archaeological sites in the world. Long before the first millennium the forum was the center of political and cultural life for the Roman Empire.

Under construction for centuries, by the 7th century BC it was already a major part of Roman culture. It grew into final form under Octavian, son of Julius Caesar in the decades around the beginning of the first millennium.

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The Pantheon, Work of Genius

Few ancient buildings have survived the ravages of time so well as the Pantheon in Rome. It is the only example of similar age, size and span that remains intact. The fact is no accident - it's largely the result of superior engineering.

Often copied, sometimes equaled but never surpassed, it had more architectural innovations than most modern buildings. All the more remarkable, given that it was built around 125 AD under the aegis of the emperor Hadrian.

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The Fountains of The Eternal City

The fountains of Rome have an ancient and glorious history. Examples range from the Eternal City's glory days in the 1st century AD to its even more glorious days during the Renaissance to the 18th century and beyond.

Other cities offer fountains that are barely beyond the utilitarian. But not Rome. Rome must have a water display that is a work of art, because Rome is itself one enormous museum.

The Trevi is unquestionably the most famous, but it has many competitors for the attention of Rome's many visitors.

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The Eternal City, Ancient and Modern

Like many metropoli, Rome is a glorious combination of ancient monuments and modern, bustling life. Visitors will find far too much to do, no matter what their tastes.

For those who love fine art, Rome is second in Italy perhaps only to Florence. Like Florence, that isn't only because of its numerous museums such as the Vatican Museums or the Gallery Borghese. The city itself is an enormous outdoor sculpture garden and architectural treasure trove.

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The Colosseum

Il Colosseo as the Romans refer to it began life as the Flavian Amphitheater, an enormous elliptical stadium capable of seating 50,000 spectators within its six acre domain.

During the 1st century AD, and for hundreds of years thereafter, the Colosseum was host to grisly spectacles of human-human and human-animal combat. Slight evidence of those activities remains among the ruins, chiefly the underground vaults and tunnels that served as storage and entrances for the combatants.

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St. Peter's Basilica

Formally known by the name Basilica di San Pietro, St. Peter's Basilica is one of Rome's foremost tourist attractions. This one site alone has enough to see to occupy an entire day or more. St. Peter's is among the most well-known and frequently visited buildings inside Vatican City.

Though legend has it that the site was the burial place of Saint Peter, there's slim evidence for the belief. Rather, it is sited on what was likely the 1st century Circus of Nero.

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Piazza Navona

Rome is an outdoor city. Though, of course, there are many churches, museums, restaurants, theaters and other indoor attractions, the city shines best when seen from one its piazzas.

The word means public square. But unlike some other internationally renowned cities, the piazzas of Rome are truly gathering places for people who love the beauty of outdoor art in all its forms.

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Domus Aurea

One of the more recent attractions in Rome is actually one of the more ancient. The Golden House of Nero, what remains of it, has been excavated and the ruins are now available for public viewing. Though re-discovered during the Renaissance, they were the subject of a massive restoration project near the end of the 20th century.

Constructed in 64 AD after the devastating fire that burned two-thirds of Rome (at which legend has it Nero fiddled), the Golden House is an archaeological treasure trove. At one time many parts were covered with gold foil and the ceiling festooned with ivory and jewels by the extravagant emperor. Alas, these are not on display. They were stripped from the palace shortly after Nero's death.

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Versailles

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The Seine River

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The Louvre

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The Eiffel Tower

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Sacré Coeur

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Notre Dame

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Montmartre

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Maison de Victor Hugo

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La Ville Lumičre

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Disneyland Paris

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Champs Elysées

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Pompidou Center

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Arc de Triomphe

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