Venice

 Often referred to as "The Floating City", Venice is actually comprised of 117 small islands.  It is a city in the Adriatic Sea, with hundreds of bridges and canals running all throughout.

Not only is Venice a city floating on water, it is also unique because there are no cars.  None.  Instead, the canals have become like highways and boats are the primary mode of transportation.  And with how confusing the streets are, boats are by far the quickest and most efficient way to move around.

Venice is especially famous for one particular type of boat, the gondola.  These can be found everywhere, and are a great way to see the city and to get around.  They operate like a taxi: you ask the man who captains the gondola to take you somewhere, then you sit back and relax as he paddles you through the maze of canals to your destination.  (This is very expensive though; Stanley and I decided to walk instead).  Below is a picture of two typical gondolas.

At times I wish we had taken a gondola instead of walking.  We discovered the hard way that it is extremely easy to get lost in Venice.  There is not always a bridge when you need one, and some of the streets lead you to a watery dead end.

Though frustrating, Venice is a gorgeous city with lots to see and to discover.