LocumLife - August 2008 - (Page 27)

DESTINATIONS Passport Insights into travel destinations abroad Venice, Italy with West; it was also a major military power and was influential in cultural and artistic affairs. In its 1,500-year history, artists, composers, adventurers, and explorers such as Titian, Vivaldi, Casanova, and Marco Polo, respectively, called the community home. Venice’s storied history includes the deliverance of the earthly remains of St. Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, Egypt in 828; participation in the Crusades, most notably the Fourth Crusade of 1202; repeated occurrences of the Black Death that decimated one-third of its population in 1348; Napoleon’s conquest of the city in 1797; and finally unification with the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. More recently, Venetians have struggled with the threat of rising tides, flooding, and sinking foundations. BEYOND CANALS Situated in the Venetian Lagoon next to the Adriatic Sea, this one-of-a-kind city is comprised of 118 small islands interwoven with 150 canals and connected by more than 400 bridges. The city’s main thoroughfare is the Grand Canal and many of the major destinations are nearby. When people think of Venice, they think of romantic gondolas. They are certainly an enjoyable way to get around and can be hired for a steep price, although it is negotiable. For those interested in a faster pace, public water buses, called vaporetti, are available with stops close to most major attractions. Tourism is the main business of Venice, especially since its addition as a major port of call for many cruise ships. Book accommodations in advance, especially if you plan on traveling during the busiest times of the year—Carnevale (February), Easter through June, September through October, and Christmas through New Years. Venice is at its best in spring, with pleasant weather and slightly less crowds. June and July can be oppressively humid and crowded, and it is AUGUST 2008 Photo: Getty Images/Jeremy Maude The city of islands immediately captivates your spirit with its rich history and stunning beauty. Julia and Paul Wynn discover that it can be hard to fit Venice into a few days. It is a city that should be appreciated over leisurely walks and planned visits to museums and tourist sites. Whether it is enjoying a meal at an outdoor café in Piazza San Marco, looking at the view from the Rialto Bridge, sunbathing on the beaches at the Lido, or strolling with your loved one on the Fondamenta Gherardini overlooking a picturesque canal, Venice is an enchanting city waiting to be discovered. In its heyday, Venice was not only the center of commerce connecting the East I t is inevitable that at some point you will get lost in the maze of ancient alleys and canals that is Venice. Around each corner, visitors stumble upon unexpected pleasures—perhaps a palazzo with colorful flower boxes or gondolas floating gently in an out-of-the way canal—that are not part of any guidebook and have made the trip that much richer. There are so many palazzos to see, churches to inspire, and public squares to www.LocumLife.com LocumLife 27 http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - August 2008 Insights Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Survey Says Resources Last-Minute Luxury Residency Corner Prescribed Advice Urgent Care Career Center Advertisers' Index Opportunities Direct Destinations Passport Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - August 2008

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