This city is unique; it has no parallel in the entire world. Built about a thousand and fifty years ago on the islands in the lagoon, Venezia has grown, conditioned by its characteristic environment, in a manner unlike any other Italian and European city.

When all Europe was an uninhabited expanse of swamps and forests, Venezia had very close relations with the Orient through what remained of the collapsing Byzantine Empire, the last heir of the great Caesars. The Venetians built one of the greatest economic powers of the Renaissance, filling their city with thousands of works of art; indeed, we may today define Venezia as the international capital of art.

It would be futile even to begin listing the monuments, palaces and churches that mirror themselves on the Canal Grande, but not even the most distracted tourist can omit visiting the Basilica of Saint Mark, the Santa Maria della Salute, San Zaccaria, the Ducal Palace and the Ca' d'Oro. Venezia is a city which not only hosts art, but promotes and produces it, organising important international events every year. The Movie Festival, the Biennale, the numerous exhibitions presented at the Palazzo Grassi. Not to mention the "former" Fenice Theatre, a magic stage where the world's greatest musicians have played; it unfortunately burnt down to the ground in a terrible fire but will certainly soon resurrect.

The Venezia airport is Italy's third in terms of passenger traffic. Despite the fact that alarming rumours are spread from time to time, announcing an imminent "death", Venezia is and will continue to be a vivacious city, also thanks to folkloristic celebrations as the Historical Regatta, the Redentore Feast and the Carnival) which makes it even more popular. Also the mainland of the Venetian province vaunts numerous first-rate tourist itineraries: Sottomarina, the Cavallino seaside and the beaches of Lido, Jesolo, Eraclea, Caorle and Bibione attract numerous vacationers in summer. Mestre, Portogruaro and San Donà di Piave are very important industrial, commercial and agricultural towns; excellent wines are produced in this area.

Chioggia deserves a separate mention, with its narrow alleys resembling a stage on which people perform the scenes of day-to-day life. Founded by Emperor Claudius in the first century, Chioggia is a city of fishing and fishermen, extraordinary people with open faces and vivacious eyes.