Venice, Italy, is a Must-See City

Europe is loaded with cities, castles, museums, monuments, and natural beauty as well, but here is a break down of one of Europe's top travel destinations and why you should visit it.

High on my list is Venice, Italy. Many people will be drawn to the shopping in Florence and the wild tangle of Rome's lane-less streets, not to mention the Coliseum and Vatican and all the sights that it boasts, or even to the stylish and trendy Milan. Nevertheless, Venice tops the list of must see cities in Italy due to the fact that the entire city is a sight to see in itself. I have been traveling all my life and to date I have never visited a city quite like it. Built entirely on islands and connected to the mainland by a convenient train system, Venice is a patchwork of narrow alleys, blue-green canals, and arching foot bridges crossing those canals. Don't be fooled by those who compare Amsterdam to Venice. Amsterdam's handful of muddy brown canals and relaxed environment cannot come close to rivaling the mastery that is Venice. Marveling as you traverse its romantic side streets and narrow waters you'll understand what I mean when you're there.

A small city in surface area, populated in the region of 300,000 inhabitants plus the thousands of tourists who visit it daily, Venice can feel like a bit crowded at times, but that is part of its charm. Meandering your way along the Grand Canal weaving your way in and out of the steady stream of foot traffic, you'll be so enchanted by the city surrounding you that any qualms or dislikes of crowds will evaporate in an instant. Pizzerias and gelato shops line the streets and it is nearly impossible to make it more than a few store lengths without ducking inside of one to at least mull over, if not give in, to the idea of indulging on something tasty.

There are a lot of specific sights to see along with the general ambiance of the city, and Piazza San Marco is a great beginning destination. To get there you'll wander along the Grand Canal, pass by a plethora of tiny stores full of Venetian glass (Venice is famous for its glasswork), and wind up on the seaward side of the small city. From Piazza San Marco you can visit the abutting Basilica of San Marco or simply bask in the beauty surrounding you. Feeding the pigeons is always an option, but unless you love a flock of birds surrounding you I would stay away from that one. Plenty of museums and churches fill Venice, and there is always something to do.

Staying in the actual city of Venice can be pricey however, but fortunately there a couple of nearby cities such as Treviso or Mestre which are conveniently connected to Venice by a short train ride and are much more affordable.

Venice is a city unlike any other in Europe, let alone the world, and to try and compare it to another is difficult. It is a city that must be seen and experienced for itself, and the photos posted online or in travel books simply cannot do it credit. Any traveler looking for a travel destination to enthrall the senses, captivate the imagination and inspire the romantic hiding inside of them should put Venice near the top of their list of where to travel next.