The Grand Canal is crossed by four bridges. One of these is the iconic Rialto Bridge, one of the symbols of the city: this majestic covered stone bridge, richly ornamented, is beautiful to admire as a whole and is also a dream location for photos with a backdrop of the Grand Canal. Once you have overcome this wonder, you won’t have to wait long to see another one: the elaborate spiers and Byzantine-style decorations of one of the most beautiful churches in the world await you, the splendid Basilica of San Marco. Two steps further stands the Palazzo Ducale, or Palazzo dei Dogi, the historic seat of the Serenissima Republic. The classic tour ends at the Bridge of Sighs, the beautiful covered bridge that connects the Doge’s Palace to the prisons of Venice: so beautiful that despite its gloomy function it has become an emblem of romance throughout the world. With a little more time it is a must to visit Murano and Burano, the islands of the Venetian lagoon famous for their glass and lace traditions. Although there are many things to see in Venice, make sure you leave time for a gondola trip. Sailing the canals with this very elegant traditional boat, used in the past by nobles and intellectuals, is a magical experience: the best way to fully appreciate the uniqueness of a city built entirely on water.