St Marks Basilica

Italian Vacation: Venice

After forking over 100 euros, which these days is almost $140 for a 20 minute gondola ride, we relished every second.

The gondola ride may be the ultimate tourist trap, but it's the most relaxing and enjoyable way to see the city before it's completely underwater.

Dressed in the quintessential red and white striped shirt, gondoliers are one of the most highly-regarded and sought after positions in Italy.

They skillfully navigate the heavy gondola down the grand canal with ease and precision….and they make it look and feel effortless.

After our ride, we head to St. Marco's square, generally known as "the piazza".

There you can see St. Mark's Basilica, historic Venetian buildings and perhaps equally as famous the pigeons.

Tourists pay vendors for breadcrumbs, and hundreds of the grey birds will flock all over them all for the cost of a picture at 20 euros.

This northern Italian cuisine focuses on fresh seafood, sandwiches, and of course, homemade pizzas.

One of the most popular souvenirs from Venice are the masks. Every year, Venice plays host to the “Carnavale di Venezia”: an age old tradition, adding to the history and culture.

So even though Venice is said to have lost 23 centimeters of land in the past hundred years, this sinking city is bringing troves of tourists, to enjoy its unique beauty.

Europe Travel Pad: Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy

Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has only been the city's cathedral since 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, formerly at San Pietro di Castello. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold). PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED INFOS OF ITALY SHOPPING AND VENICE SIGHTSEEING SUMMARY OF THE TRIP: Trip Date: Sept. 2-4, 2011 Transportation: Comfort Bus with Toilet Fare: 85.00 Euros per person (already include the watertaxi ride to Venice) Departure Time: 8:30 PM on Friday Sept.