Venice, Italy—Most Romantic Place in the World

Venice has no match when it comes to being the world's most romantic city.  A ride down the Grand Canal in a Gondola will prove that fact instantly.  Some gondoliers actually have beautiful voices -- they will serenade you with lovely old Italian love songs.  Everything about Venice is unique.  At the Piazza San Marco you will swear that you are walking around in 'Summertime' with Katherine Hepburn and Rosano Brazzi.  The Cafe is still there, the music, the impressive Doge's Palace and Campanile.  As you walk the footpaths and begin to familiarize yourself with this most unusual city you begin to realize that everything happens on the water.  Larger boats are used as buses - they make various stops and take people to work just as in any other major city.  The Fire Department, Sanitation, funerals, ambulances, food deliveries -- everything is done by ferrying on water.  One of the most beautiful sights is a boat or gondola festooned with flowers and ribbons for a typical wedding.  The jewel box opera house, La Fenice, and the Rialto Bridge as well as the Bridge of Sighs (where prisoners get their last sight of Venice before incarceration), Accademia, the Church where Vivaldi played the organ are all fascinating to visit.  Local specialties include lots of seafood and of course gelato.  The Venice Film Festival ends on September 10th -- an ideal time of year to visit when most of the tourists have gone home.