Facts You Need To Know When Visiting Venice, Italy

“To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius.” - Alexander Herzen

If you’re a fan of kosher riverboat cruises, we cannot help but recommend visiting the city of Venice, Italy as your next destination. Here you can marvel about the grandeur of La Serenissima, and the interesting facts and stories that its architecture and cultures tell us. Grab your map of Venice and let’s discover some wonderful facts about the Queen of the Adriatic.

No Cars Allowed in Venice

Cars are not allowed nor any wheels of any kind in the city proper, simply because the footbridges and cobbled alleyways are made for walking. The main transportations are boats - water taxis and gondolas of all sorts and shapes. But the experience is better than you think. It’s not that inconvenient once you get used to walking. Here you will discover that not worrying about cars, traffic lights, and crossing roads gives people a more relaxed pace. There’s no noise pollution and the air quality is better, which also explains the touristy and laid back atmosphere in the city. 

Venice Sinks 1-3 Milliliters/year

The city is an extremely low-lying area, with only 1 meter above elevation. The city’s vulnerable spot for flood has a lot of factors to consider, such as its geographical location, city structure, seasonal flood, and the most evident reason- effects of climate change. A fancier way to call the flooding is acqua alta, which means ‘high water’. Scientists claim that if not taken urgent action towards climate emergency, the beautiful city could go underwater by 2100.

City Stands on Wooden Planks

Venice is also known for the city’s engineering marvel, an entire group of land connected with bridges, and built atop wooden stilts! The old city structures were built around 402 A.D out of the need to create more space and accommodate new settlers. The beautiful houses and architecture you’ll see in Venice is still sitting on those 1000-year-old wood! So far, the wood was found out to be petrified over time and turned into stone.

Roads Are Narrow, Like a Maze

Thankfully the locals are used to tourists getting lost, and are probably expecting an inquiry or help on directions once or twice a day, depending on the peak tourist season. Travel forums recommend that getting lost is the best way to explore the lovely city- many unexpected corners can hold a magical view. So get away from the crowded tourists at the Piazza San Marco and explore the city’s underrated alleyways. 

Gondolas and Gondoliers

Don’t miss the Jewish cruise experience in Venice without riding on a gondola. Touring around the city with a trusted gondolier is the ultimate way to go around the city as a tourist. You can say being a gondolier is as prestigious as receiving a Michelin star - there are only 3-4 new gondoliers welcomed every year.

An adventure to the waters of the Venetian Lagoon awaits. Write it at the top of your travel list and make that trip happen!