Venice Focus

Other events include the fairly young Heineken Jamming Festival every June – where Sting and the Police are headlining this year among other pop and rock legends. The festival was unfortunately cut short in 2007 however - because of a freak tornado, but don’t let that put you off!

But Venice’s enduring symbol is that of the singing gondolier, gliding down one of the enchanting canals that provide the infrastructure of the city. Once a powerful marine republic and for many years, a very wealthy state, Venice today continues to be an incredibly affluent place, with much of the city’s architecture still standing since medieval times.

Some of the world’s most visually striking architecture can be found here – particularly on St Mark’s Square – the city’s nucleus and one of the most famous open spaces of its kind in the world. Other delight’s include the Doge’s palace – the splendorous seat of power throughout the centuries of independence; the C’ d’Oro, literally translated as house of gold; and the famous Rialto Bridge that spans the northern curve of the Grand Canal.

If you’re planning a tour of Italy – undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful countries – then a trip to the magical city of Venice is essential. With its unique people, its even more unique aesthetic and its historical and cultural significance, this northern Italian town offers an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.