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Ultimate Venice
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Article & Photography by Ilona Kauremszky
Today as yesterday , Venice ’ s fortunes float on the unending tide of tourists who flood the world ’ s most famous floating city . These travelers , many from the imposing cruise ships , snap countless photos of the unwavering Grand Canal as it slinks like a lazy serpent with its meandering S-shape oblivious to the waves of 21st century sensibilities .
No cars , few elevators , and the endless queues by the finest landmarks of La Serenissima can be daunting . Mention earlier Venetian residents to a fellow visitor either fictional or real from villains to dukes like Shylock from The Merchant of Venice or the reclusive Doge of Venice , Leonardo Donato , or the world ’ s greatest lover Casanova , and you ’ re most likely to receive a blank stare .
But murmur about millionaire marriages , movie stars and worldwide festivals then chances are good many will wax poetic on the George and Amal Clooney nuptials , or starlet Angelina Jolie ’ s action-thriller The Tourist ; or the arts festival darling , the Venice Biennale .
On a trip to Venice this past spring , while a flotilla of ships from the luxurious Uniworld to the heavenly Crystal Cruises moored at the smaller San Basilio pier and the Marittima Cruise Basin I managed to spend a couple of days touring the beloved landmarks and legendary neighbourhoods in a luxury escorted land tour that included a personal traveling concierge , signature accommodations in the city centre , local epicurean delights , and authentic experiences to see the real Italy .
Thankfully I managed to dodge the lineups , used motoscafi ( water taxis ) and not the proverbial vaporettos that are public boats , and stayed at a luxury hotel with an elevator while skirting the celebrity sightings . Although I admit there were times when I couldn ’ t believe I was standing or touring areas frequented by former greats .
That is what is so breathtaking about Venice . The magical allure of this archipelago of islets that cups the Adriatic Sea captures the imagination . It ’ s a city built for endless walking so navigating through this maze of narrow streets with its bevy of bridges crossing the legendary canals often times can turn into an unsolvable puzzle that is so strangely satisfying . You amble past bridges spanning over islands and more islands until you are completely and delightfully lost .
American World Traveler / Fall 2016