Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals, connected by an amazing four hundred and nine bridges, of which only three cross the main canal. The area it covers is a mere 458 kilometres, the population is roughly 63,000 people, as opposed to Hobart s approximate person count of 200,000 people. Although the city appears small, it is really quite extensive for its size. Whilst most tour guides dont recommend getting lost in the majority of cities, Venice is the place to get hopelessly lost for a day; it is certainly more advisable than getting lost in a shopping centre and hiding out in the frozen foods section. Venice isnt all cities and crowded streets: through the mysterious alleyways leading off from the city, endless mazes of backstreets and deserted squares, the real Venice. And a perfect place to walk for hours on end, pretending to know where you are.

Probably the only ways of getting around Venice are walking and paying up for the 'expensive-but-worth-it' gondola, water bus/taxi or a regular taxi is officially banned in the lagoon city a bicycle wont help you much.

The islands of the Venetian lagoon were first settled during the barbarian invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries AD, when the people of the Veneto mainland sought refuge in the marshy region. The refugees built the now-famous watery villages on rafts of wooden posts driven into the soil, laying the foundations for the floating palaces of today. The traditional date of Venice 's birth is given as 25 March 421, but there is little evidence to support this belief. The population is roughly 63, 000 people, but there is belief that Venice will, over time, lose most of its population and become merely a large theme park, purely for the entertainment of camera-clad tourists.

It's nearly always the festive season in Venice , although the city is particularly busy in the flourishing months of spring, especially surrounding Easter. Accommodation is one of the most difficult things to find around that time zone, as well as around Christmas, New Year and festival Carnevale (Which is in February). Like Italy 's other great tourist areas, Venice is at its worst in summer (Months such as June-August): it's crowded, oppressively hot and sticky. The most pleasant time of year to visit is late March into May, with clear spring days and fewer crowds. September is the next best in terms of weather, but October is quieter. Flooding occurs in November and December, and winter can be unpleasantly cold - although seeing Venice under a layer of snow can cast the aura of a fairy tale.

Vaporetto (water bus) is most amazing method of getting around Venice; you wont find too many public transport routes as unforgettable as vaporetto. No 1's trip along the Grand Canal . Get yourself a travel pass to ride the elusive vaopretto - single tickets don't come cheap, and are less economical if you plan to spend days travelling Venice and travelling every nook and cranny.

The classic gondola ride with the opera-warbling operator is pretty touristy and expensive but the traghetto is a commuter gondola that crosses the Grand Canal at strategic points. It's quite a balance test for newbies, as you have to stand. Water taxis (motorboats) are almost as expensive as gondolas, but their pilots don't wear stripy shirts and bellow out 'O Sole Mio'.

The famous water-villages of Venice post a threat to the historical buildings, which are slowly sinking into the marshy ground. It is believed that if construction work does not continue, these buildings may, in turn, pose a threat to the safety of locals and tourists. It has been said that When this precious place sinks, the world will be the poorer, and also stated that Venice has a bleak future. Looking on the optimistic side, the villages are beautiful today, and are still open to being admired for years to come.

Regular buses (yes, they do exist) run from one place to another, but it's probably the least exciting way to get around the city. Obviously, don't bring the rental car to Venice - you'll just be paying to leave it in a car park for the duration, and in a few car parks youll find yourself with a large fine afterwards. Taxis - the regular four-wheeled variety - do operate from Piazzale Roma.

And nobody can forget the romantic side of Venice . Although it can be excruciatingly hot and stuffy in summer, when the tourists flock, it is nonetheless claimed to be one of the most romantic cities. With the image of an inky-blue sky laden in a full moon and dotted with stars; above a glowing city-scape, seen from a tiled square bordered by Italian words and Pizza outlets, its no wonder.

The sea surrounds Venice , and so, too, Venetian cuisine, which can be disappointing unless cuttlefish and sardines are what you're after. You don't order pasta in Venice , you order lots of noodles with a dab of sauce.   Cichetti (chee-keht-tee) are small portions of food served in bars all over the city, usually with an ombra, which is a small glass of wine. When you go out for cichetti , you will eat standing up, hopefully in a crowded room. Mosey up to the bar, where all the cichetti will be displayed before you. A typical cichetto (this is the singular) might be a square of mortadella on a toothpick, or a rice stuffed tomato, or a ball of rice stuffed with an olive and deep fried. Summon the bar-person, order your glass of wine and point to your choice of cichetti, which will then be served to you. The bar-person will keep your tab going and present it to you when you are ready.