Often cited as one of the most romantic destinations in the world, the dreamy lakes have led Venice to be dubbed the “City of Water”. Situated on a lagoon, it has changed little over the past 600 years offering visitors a truly authentic experience. It is no wonder then that Venice is heavily populated with tourists.

Venice is made up of 117 small islands either connected by bridges or that can be accessed by boat. It is divided into six districts, including San Marco which is favoured by tourists.  The Grand Canal is a major water route that goes through several islands. There are water taxis, water buses or gondolas that are favoured by tourists for sightseeing.

Attractions here include the St Mark's Basilica which dates back to the 9th Century and includes golden mosaics and a beautifully decorated pavement. The Palazzo Ducale was the government house for several years and is a fine piece of architecture. The Railto Bridge is a wonderfully detailed bridge and the most famous across the Grand Canal.

The Carnival of Venice is a great way to experience the culture here and begins two weeks before Ash Wednesday. It is a lively affair with carnival-goers wearing theatrical masks and costumes. Venetian architecture is an imposing mixture of cathedrals, churches and palaces which exemplify times of economic wealth and development particularly during the Renaissance era, and their style only adds to the romantic ambience. There are also several museums and art galleries which give an insight to Venetian culture and history.


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Nice Holiday & Travel Guide:  Nice is the fifth largest city in France and is located on the French Riviera.  It has a sunny and warm climate and is popular with visitors all year round. Nice is home to a long stretch of pebbled beach, perfect for spending the hot summer months.  It is also a very historic city, with many museums and art galleries to enjoy.  For food lovers, Nice has a number of Michelin Starred Restaurants available and a whole range of exquisite French foods. 

Along Nice’s water front is the famous ‘Promenade des Anglais’ (Promenade of the English), which stretches for 4 miles. This promenade has been used in many films including the famous car chase in ‘The Transporter’.  Along the promenade there are also many restaurants, shops, cafes and bars which are ideal for sitting in the sunshine and watching the world go by.  For the more energetic, there is a variety of water sports available in the sea. 

Nice is closely located to the Millionaire's playground of Monaco. The small principality is set around the world famous harbour, which once a year is restructured to hold the Formula 1 Grand Prix. There are plenty of things to see and do in Monaco, so a short bus or train ride is a must.

Climate: The weather in Nice is very mild all year round and has over 2500 hours of sunshine per year.  The summer months can see temperatures as high as 35°c and winter months generally sees temperatures of 5-15°c.  The area is generally very dry, with minimal rainfall throughout the winter months.  This is a perfect year round destination. 

Transport: Nice is regarded as a great transportation hub as it has many international and domestic links.   Nice has its own International Airport, with many mainstream and budget airlines flying to it.  There is also a high speed rail link from Paris and a sea port in Nice.   Within Nice, there is a great public transport system.  The best way to get around is by bus, it costs just 1 euro for any journey. 

Nice Holiday & Travel Guide: Follow the links below to find out more about Nice... Back to Cote d'Azur Holiday & Travel Guide