Venice

Venice's cruise ships now dock at the mainland ports of Marghera or Fusina, and passengers take a shuttle across the lagoon to the historic centre. The city has no cars and no roads. Canals take their place, and vaporetti (water buses) are the public transport. St. Mark's Square is the centre of tourist Venice: the Byzantine mosaics inside St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile bell tower, and the Doge's Palace are all here. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the old prison. The Accademia Gallery has the largest collection of Venetian painting. Peggy Guggenheim's collection, in a canal-side palazzo, covers 20th-century art. Murano is the glass island, and Burano is known for lace and brightly painted houses. Cicchetti, Venetian small plates, are served at bacari (wine bars) across the city. Caffè Florian on St. Mark's Square has been open since 1720. Get lost on purpose; the best parts of Venice are the ones you find by accident.