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a trip to the Palazzo Ducale, or the Doge's Palace, once the home to the doge and the government for over a thousand years. A Doge is a Duke, and in ancient times, doges are the chief magistrates and leaders of Venice. The current structure of Palazzo Ducale was constructed over a century, from 1309 to 1424. The magnificent palace, which consists of two facades, is intricately designed, with one in white Istrian stone and the other in pink Veronese marble. The ground floor house apartments, while the second floor is filled with extravagant state rooms, and some of the world's finest artworks. One of the more notable rooms is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, a gigantic room where the walls and ceiling are lined with paintings, one of them being Paradise, the largest canvas painting in the world, by Tintoretto. Located right next to this grand palace is the Bridge of Sights, which connects the palace to the prison.

Right in front of the Doge's Palace is the St. Mark's Square, known as Piazza San Marco in Italian. It's Venice's town Square, and is the only space in Venice large enough to be labeled as a Piazza, which means an open square in a city. St. Mark's square was dubbed the "finest drawing room in Europe", an expanse space where people flock to. There's an almost festive atmosphere lingering in the square, with hoards of people, pigeons and a stretch of diners where you can dine and just people watch.

Right next to the St Mark's Square is the St Mark's Basilica, the most famous church in Venice, and one of the proudest instances of Byzantine architecture. It's connected to the Doge's Palace, and since 1807, it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Venice.

The basilica's design was based on Constantinople's Church of the Twelve Apostles, and is known for its golden mosaics found above the doorways in the faade, as well as those adorning the interior domes. The exterior of the basilica is all glittery, and it certainly paints an overwhelming sight, with countless numbers of domes and arches. The interior of the basilica contains many treasures, including jewels and gold. If you wish to enter the splendid place, do adhere to the dress code of covering up knees, shoulders and upper arms.

After a visual feast of the shiny and elaborately designed basilica, wind down by taking a leisurely walk over the Rialto Bridge, or the Ponte di Ronto, which spans the Grand Canal in Venice. This is Venice's oldest bridge

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