Are you a cat person? Then you’ll love Venice! La Serenissima – the Serene One, as Venice is lovingly called by its huamn inhabitants – is also home to a community of friendly felines. They seem to have taken it upon themselves to perform a kind ‘meet and greet’ service to visitors, particularly those that have a soft spot for the purry kind.

Almost without exception a Venice cat will give up its spot in the sun (at least temporarily) to saunter over to a friendly-looking stranger for a quick rub and chit-chat.Judging by the general demeanor of Venice kitties they’re mostly well-looked after and quite content to be living surrounded by waterways and splashing boats.

'Beware of the cat'

So when you’re passing through Venice, make a point of saying hello to a cat or two. They fancy that!

While Venice most certainly is the city of canals and water, it is also, logically, the city of bridges. There are more than 140 bridges in the Venice, ranging from small, quaint brickwork ones spanning narrow canals to bigger ones where boats can pass under (though sometimes requiring the passengers and driver to duck) and the regal heart of Venice, the Rialto Bridge, probably one of the most photographed icons of all Italy.

Most of these bridges have been in place for centuries. In some cases, including that of the Rialto Bridge, what you’ll see today has replaced original wooden structures. When arriving in Venice visitors tend to stop at each bridge (especially at the top, much to the annoyance of fellow ‘bridge crossers’) to take a look, snap a photograph and marvel at the picturesque scenery. But after a while the bridges become ubiquitous, one hardly notices them while walking around the city, and some residents describe them more as a hindrance than a proud part of the city heritage. I mean, having to heave a grocery bag over bridge steps can only be fun for so long.

Many of the bridges have stories attached to them. Often their names refer to a legend from long ago. The most well-known of these is probably the Ponte dei Sospir – Bridge of Sighs -  which long ago was the crossing point for convicts on their way to jail. On a more positive note there’s also a legend that says that lovers who kiss on the bridge are assured eternal love. When visiting Venice. Make your visit more interesting by seeking out these ‘bridge stories’.

Recently a new bridge has joined the family in Venice. It’s impossible to miss, as it cuts through the air across the Grand Canal near the bus stop in a vivacious curve of steel and glass. Being an architectural anomaly among the renaissance and baroque buildings and decorations around it, the  bridge was bound to draw criticism and sharp comment from all. It doesn’t help, of course, that the Ponte di Calatrava – that’s the name of the bridge – was designed by a Spanish architect named (adding insult to injury) Calatrava. There has also been reports of people sustaining injuries while crossing the bridge  because of the slippery steps.

yet in a practical way it’s made life a lot easier, eliminating long walks and vaporetto rides in order to cross the Grand Canal when coming from, or going to the rail and bus stations.

So make a mental note before your visit to notice the bridges you’re crossing – you’re most probably stepping across a colourful and interesting part of Venice history.

The Piazza (Square) of St Mark is the central point in Venice. It’s on the bank of the Grand Canal and features Venice’s most beautiful and impressive landmarks, from the Campanile (tower) with the winged lion (Venice’s official ‘mascot’) keeping watch to the fifteen-hundred-year-old Basilica and the Doge’s (King) magnificent Palace.

Ask what people remember about St Mark’s and one of the things will be ‘crowds’. The tourist throng in St Mark’s, especially in summer, is something to be reckoned with, especially if you’re not staying for long and have to make the most of your time. Here are a few tips that will make your visit to St Mark’s more enjoyable.

1. Visit St Mark’s in the early morning or late afternoon. You’ll be avoid being pushed and shoved in long lines of people waiting to enter into the buildings on the Square. If you give early enough you’ll catch the Square almost devoid of people, which in itself is a great experience, especially if you’re a photographer.

2. Before you visit the attractions on St Mark Square, you have to hand in any bags you’re carrying at a deposit point below the Clock Tower. You don’t want to fall into a queue at the Campanile only to find that out twenty minutes later.

3. Similar to any other tourist spot in the world, curios and food bought on St Mark’s Square will be much more expensive than those located five minutes’ walk from the Square.

4. An exception to the above tip is coffee at Florian’s, a historic cafe on the Square. IT was visited by many of the painters and writers that visited Venice through the years, and was once considered a hangout of the intellectuals and politicians of the city. Be prepared to pay a premium for the priviledge though…

5. Authorities are encouraging people not to feed the hundreds of pigeons that live on the Square. That’ll be hard to resist if you have children though. Small packets of bird food is on sale, making it even easier.

6. There’s a LOT to see on St Mark’s, and it’ll take you a full day to take everything there is to see in. The most visited ones are the Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum, the Basilica and the Campanile. They’re all worth it, but can become a bit tiring, especially if you’re not that much into culture and art. If you stay long enough you can split your visit over two days.

7. There’s a famous legend about an ill-fatged Doge that landed at St Mark’s Square, and walk ashore between the two pillars only to meet his end some time later. Since then superstitious types consider it bad luck to walk inbetween the pillars. Just so you know.