Wherever you arrive in Mumbai, you’ll immediately notice that auto rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws and motorbikes are non existent. This makes you taxi bound, and forces you to memorise as many bus routes as you can. Or, you simply decide to check out the area by foot, which is our favourite way of getting around. Mumbai has several must visit places, but for first time visitors, there are a few that really shouldn’t be missed.

#1 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Gateway Of India.

Of course the Gateway of India is the must visit sight when coming to Mumbai. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat would have seen. And still today, it’s one of those monuments you’ll never forget.

We first arrived here on a Sunday, which is most probably the worst day of the week to explore the Gateway of India. The waiting line was about two kilometres long! Especially the men’s line was endless, but even the ladies line was too crowded. We gave up immediately and decided to come back the next day. The situation looked a lot different on Monday morning. The access was almost deserted and we could enter without waiting. We hopped on a boat cruise to get a better overview. The cruise takes about one hour and gives you the impression of what it must have felt like to arrive here back in the days.

The Gateway of India was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in 1911. Today, it is one of India’s most iconic structures.

A Mumbai boat cruise at dawn will provide you with perfect photo opportunities.

The Gateway of India is the stepping-off point for cruises around the natural harbour of Mumbai.

The Gateway of India, as well as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel are two of the most iconic buildings in Mumbai, visited by thousands of tourists every day.

#2 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an historic railway station. It’s a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. The station was built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. You’d expect the inside to be just as extravagant, but its interior is far less impressive. Still, keep in mind that this railway station is the busiest in the world, with three million passengers passing through every single day!

Mumbai’s local trains are called the city’s lifeline for a reason. The number of passengers they carry every day is larger than the population of some countries. Victoria Station is one of the largest train stations (according to daily travellers) in the world.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design.

The Mumbai suburban railway operates 2.342 train services. The local trains are the primary mode of transport for hundreds and thousands of people who travel for as many as five hours every day to and from work.

#3 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Sassoon Docks.

Sassoon Docks is the largest wholesale fish market in Mumbai. Arrive in the morning to see hundreds of women pulling shrimps, boats arriving with their catch and men auctioning off the fresh fish right on the spot.

These men at Sassoon Docks are refilling the boats with crushed ice for their next trip out to sea.

At the Sassoon Docks you’ll come across all varieties of sea creatures.

Only women are pulling shrimps while chatting along at the Sassoon Docks.

These men at the Sassoon Docks are filling up trailers with crushed ice, which are then pulled to the boats and packed into the stowage for the next trip out to sea.

This wholesale trader at the Sassoon Docks counts his money after a busy morning.

#4 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Home Of The Jungle Book Author Rudyard Kipling.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English writer, born in Mumbai on December 30, 1865. The bungalow he was born in 151 years ago has since been rebuilt, but the peeling mint green-painted wooden cottage, where trees lean against its roof, occupied only by birds and bats, stands in its place and radiates the kind of atmosphere you’d expect when reading his most famous work The Jungle Book.

The bungalow is located in the corner of the Sir J.J. School of Art compound, not far from one of the busiest boulevards in Mumbai.

It’s actually not allowed to enter the area, we were immediately advised to leave, but it’s said that the Kipling House shall be converted into a tourist attraction.

An ornate metal plaque at the entrance of the cottage is engraved with the words, “Rudyard Kipling, son of Lockwood Kipling, first principal of Sir J. J. School of Art, was born here on 30.12.1865.”

#5 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery.

We came across Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery by accident, but the smell of fresh Chai tea and bread immediately caught our attention. All products in the bakery are handmade and are absolutely delicious! It was a great change to the Indian cuisine we’ve had for the past weeks and we even felt like home for a moment (also thanks to all the German posters on the wall). Definitely one of the best bakeries in town!

Yazdani Restaurant & Baker in Mumbai draws in a lot of visitors, particularly international visitors – especially Germans, thanks to a lot of German signs like here.

A peek into the kitchen and you will see several bakers working: greasing pans, cleaning the raisins and weighing the dough. Yazdani Bakery makes approximately 6.000 pavs (bread buns) each day.

Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery was opened in Mumbai in 1953 by Meherwan Zend. Today, the three brothers, Rashid, Zend, Parvez and his son, Tirandaz run the bakery.

The name Yazdani originates from the town of Yazd, which is the capital of the Yazd Province in Iran, a hub of Iranian culture.

#6 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Dhobi Ghat Laundry District.

There are several Dhobi Ghats in Mumbai, but Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat is the most famous and the largest unmechanized laundry facility and in the world. A dhobi is a laundryman who collects dirty linens from hotels, restaurants and homes and returns them washed and neatly folded from open-air laundromats known as ghats.

Approximately 700 dhobis live and work in the laundry colony Mahalakshmi, washing an average of 1 million pieces of clothing every day.

The area of Mahalakshmi extends across several city blocks and has many winding alleys, workrooms and semi-covered subsections of aluminum siding.

If you want to enter Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat, you will be asked for money, since this place has become such a tourist attraction.

You will find every piece of clothing there is at Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat – from socks to linen.

#7 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Real Slumdog Millionaires.

Some might find a visit to the slum areas morbid, but you can’t ignore the fact that approximately 60% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums. If you really want to get a sense of how the Mumbaikers manage their daily routine, then we’d suggest to take a ride with one of the many commuter trains that ply the area. If you get out at Bandra railway station for example, you’ll be right in the middle of on of the biggest slums in Mumbai.

There are many slum areas in Mumbai, with Dharavi as Asia’s largest. It is home to approximately 1 million people.

“Poverty porn” oder social tourism? At the least, a visit to some of Mumbai slum areas will give you an insight on what is feel like living in these conditions.

The slums in Mumbai are a city within a city.

#8 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Oval Maidan.

Oval Maidan is a park located in an upscale area, with all the embassies and large company headquarters around. On Sundays, thousands of people gather here top play a game cricket, or to enjoy a picknick with friends. It’s a great spot to get aways from the busier side of Mumbai for a while.

Oval Maidan is the perfect spot to get away from Mumbai’s busy life.

If you come at the right time and are lucky, you’ll be able to experience Oval Maidan without crowds of people – which is very unusual for one of Indias busiest cities.

#9 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Marine Drive.

We walked along the 3.5 kilometre-long boulevard from the southern tip all the way to Chowpatty Beach, which is located in the area where the Mumbai Opera House is situated. It’s a recreation area and lots of Mumbaikers flock the beach on weekends. The rich and famous of Mumbai show off their newly bought Ferraris, Audis and BMW’s here. It really gives you a sense that on one hand, Mumbai is home to millions of underprivileged people, and on the other hand some of Indias richest and most powerful.

Marine Drive is a 3.6-kilometre-long boulevard in South Mumbai in the city of Mumbai. The road was constructed by late philanthropist Bhagojisheth Keer & Pallonji Mistry.

You’ll get an amazing view of Mumbai’s skyline when walking along Marine Drive.

#10 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most popular religious places in Mumbai, visited by people of all religions. It’s also one of India’s most famous and prestigious landmarks situated in the middle of the Arabian Sea off Lala Lajpatrai Marg. Haji Ali Dargah is only accessible via a narrow road that disappears underwater at high tide.

Built in 1431, this Mughal-style architectural marvel serves as a reminder of the city’s rich and multicultural history. The six-hundred-year-old dargah is dedicated to the memory of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Sitting atop a set of large rocks in the sea, the Haji Ali Dargah features stunning white-marble pillars, domes and minarets, which showcase Indo-Islamic architecture at its finest.

The view from the Haji Ali Dargah is spectacular and offers a fairly quite spot in busy Mumbai.

Agrasen Ki Baoli was on our list, yet getting there seemed to be more difficult than expected. Three different tuk-tuk drivers, as well as several passer-by’s, didn’t know what we were talking about. In the end, we ended up at a minor Taj Mahal look-alike, which we then learned was Safdarjung’s Tomb.

Safdarjung’s Tomb was built in 1753 – 54 by Shuja-ud-Daulah as a tribute to his fathers memory, Safdarjung and is a pretty impressive building. After entering through the double storey gateway, you’ll forget all about the noisy street life you just came from. In the centre of the garden, the mausoleum rises gracefully from a high platform.

We spend the afternoon strolling through the gardens and soaked up the energetic atmosphere of this rather unknown Delhi tourist attraction.

Safdarjung’s Tomb Facts:

• Location: Intersection of Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg
• Metro Station: Jorbagh
• Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
• Entry Fee: 15 Rupees (Indians), 200 Rupees (foreigners)
• Photography Charges: Free (still camera), 25 Rupees (video camera)

Enclosed to the gateway to Safdarjung’s Tomb is the wall surrounding the monument. Channels running above the wall carry water to the different pavilions.

Safdarjung’s Tomb is a double storey mausoleum built with red and buff sandstone. The garden is divided into four squares by side pathways and tanks which are again divided into smaller squares and pathways.

Safdarjung’s Tomb has a central chamber surrounded by eight apartments around it.

The three-domed mosque within the complex is located to the right side of the entrance gate (left side once you’re inside the complex) of Safdarjung’s Tomb.

Safdarjung Tomb is the last monumental tomb garden of the Mughals.

Apart from one or the other Indian couple, Safdarjung’s Tomb is not a major tourist attraction, which makes it the perfect place to spend some time away from noisy and busy central Delhi.

Otto Wagner Church: A Must Visit In Vienna.

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture and beautiful parks, the Otto Wagner Church is an absolute must when visiting Vienna. Designed by Otto Wagner, it’s considered one of the most important Art Nouveau churches in the world. The copper-platted gold dome (which looks a bit like half a lemon) is visible from quite a distance.

The reason why this church was built on the highest point of a Psychiatric Hospital was because there were heavy protests back in 1904 when construction started due to it’s simplicity (the baroque style would have been much preferred by the Viennese, and even by the archduke Franz Ferdinand). It would have been impossible to built such a church anywhere else in the city, but since the Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital was the largest and most modern of its kind when it opened in 1907, a modern church was an obvious choice.

Why Visit The Steinhof Grounds?

Well, apart from the Otto Wagner Church, the Steinhof Grounds are a really beautiful and soothing spot in Vienna. Soothing might not be the word that comes into mind when thinking of a park that involves passing a Psychiatric Hospital, but it’s a fact. The Grounds consist of 42.000 square metres of greenery and have long been a popular recreation area among the Viennese.

How To Get To The Otto Wagner Church:

• Address: Baumgartner Höhe 1 , 1140 Wien
• Option 1: Metro Line U4 until Unter St. Veit and then Bus 47A until Psychiatrisches Zentrum
• Option 2: Metro Line U3 until Ottakring (last stop) and then Bus 48A (also starts from the bus station Dr. Karl Renner Ring) until Psychiatrisches Zentrum
  

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church is an absolute must when visiting Vienna.

The church dedicated to Saint Leopold was built between 1903 and 1907 by the architect Otto Wagner, with mosaics and stained glass by Koloman Moser, and sculptural angels by Othmar Schimkowitz. The great majority of the other smaller details are the work of Otto Wagner himself.

The golden, lemon like, dome of the Otto Wagner Church can be seen almost from any higher spot in Vienna.

The Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital lies in the 14th district of Vienna, Penzing, and was built according to the plans of architect Otto Wagner and opened in 1907.

The Steinhof grounds are a popular excursion spot for Viennese on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Some of the building of the Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital look quite creepy, and if you know the history, it doesn’t get that much better. There is a Holocaust memorial site for the “children of the Spiegelgrund”, since the Steinhof Hospital was a major site of Nazi-euthanasia.

So a while ago, we decided to skip a weekend of couch-surfing at home for a road trip to a small but very well-known town not far from the Austrian border, in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic: Český Krumlov. Český Krumlov and Prague, are the two most popular destinations in the Czech Republic and an absolute must visit place for any traveller! Once you’ve been here, it’s not hard to understand why.

Getting to Český Krumlov isn’t too hard. It’s just a day trip from Prague, Salzburg or Vienna and if you get up early enough, even Munich. Driving to Český Krumlov from Vienna is a bit dull (there’s really not that much around), especially with unclear weather, however, once it comes into sight, you’ll be speechless by the beauty of this little town that is so well preserved, it’s almost unreal.

Český Krumlov Highlights.

We were lucky to find a parking spot right behind the multistorey castle – under normal circumstances, (free) parking nearby is close to impossible. We entered the old town from the back of the castle, walked right through the massive Cloak Bridge, which connects the castle complex with the gardens that crown it on the summits of the cliffs, before we came to one of the little bridges that connect the inner and outer part of town.

Český Krumlov literally looks like something out of a fairytale with the huge castle overlooking the picturesque, magical old town and the Vltava river winding its way around it. The narrow, labyrinth-like lanes (though admittingly, it’s not handicap friendly) make you feel like you’re walking in an old Disney film.

Most visitors set their sight on the mighty castle (as did we). And they’re right to do so: It’s one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Europe, the second largest in the Czech Republic, with magnificent and elaborate exterior facades, forty buildings and palaces, situated within five courts. The castle itself offers many sights, yet the most striking one for us was the colorful round tower, featuring a 162-step climb to the top, from where you have an amazing 360° view.

A Well Deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Český Krumlov doesn’t seem to force anything onto anyone (like for example demanding lots of cash for entering the castle), and there’s no need to rip-off visitors. It’s quite rare that a place of such beauty behaves so modest.

With its simple charm and wonderful medieval feel, Český Krumlov is not only a well deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, but exactly the kind of quite, small town in Europe that many people dream of experiencing.

Český Krumlov has long been recognised as one of the most charming fairytale towns in all of Europe.

The Vlatava River surrounds the fairytale town of Český Krumlov.

The 360° Český Krumlov view from the Caste Tower is an absolute must for any visitor. The banner at the top shines at a height of 86 m above the Vltava River. The tower has a Gothic core, but it was completed in Renaissance style and is probably the most famous symbol of Český Krumlov, built to guard the medieval river crossing.

Renaissance mural paintings are well preserved all over the Český Krumlov Castle.

Český Krumlov castle is built right into the side of the mountain wall.

The area of the Vth courtyard is accessible from the buildings of the Upper Český Krumlov Castle across the Cloak Bridge.

The three-storied covered arched Cloak bridge of the Český Krumlov Castle stands on massive stone pillars and is a technically daring and impressive construction.

Wall paintings of the IIIrd Courtyard of Český Krumlov Castle.

Not too long ago, we decided to travel up North again to visit friends in London. Since we’ve never been outside of the capital, and we had long weekend ahead of us, a trip to the inland of England was on our agenda.

Scanning The Map.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Scotland, but time was too short to head up this far, so Nottingham caught out attention when scanning the map. An hour later, we were on our way. I always thought that distances in the UK are a lot greater but after only three hours of driving (we would have made it in two but getting out of London during rush hour put us a bit behind schedule), we reached our desired destination.

A Weekend In Nottingham.

Nottingham is a dynamic place with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene thanks to the thriving student life.

Nottingham’s old city centre is a highlight and home to several important attractions like Nottingham’s Old Market Square (the largest in England btw). Nottingham Castle gives you an excellent view of the city and is notable for its bronze statues of Robin Hood. Numerous caves exist underneath Nottingham, including the spectacular Mortimer’s Hole located directly below the castle. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see this for whatever reason. I guess a little more research in advance would have been helpful. Then there’s also Highfields Park, a large park full of magnificent trees, exotic plants and a great place for outdoor activities like boating.

Nottingham was definitely an exciting weekend trip. Hopefully we’ll get to come here again – with nice weather (it was raining about 80% of the time we were there) to really enjoy all the sights.

Forever associated with the Robin Hood legend, Nottingham is a dynamic county capital with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene.

There are lots of opportunities to experience something totally new. With dozens of trails around the city and county, exploring this heritage is a great deal, since it’s free!

Nottingham is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the United Kingdom.

There are many things that can be done in Nottingham, yet we decided to simply walk around this lovely city and enjoy the typical British way of living.

The red brick of Nottingsham’s building are really beautiful and definitely caught our camera-eye.

Nottingham is a thriving city in the heart of England and home to around 750.000 people. Still it has been named the eighth worst place to live in England…

The trip up to Victoria Peak includes a 48 degree steep ride with the 120-year-old Peak Tram, first operated n 1888. For those of who who prefer to walk a little you can do that as well. The way down to Central will take about 30-45 minutes, yet I’d really recommend to go at least one with with the tram just to have experienced it!

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon during the day.

View from Victoria Peak looking north towards Victoria Harbour and Kowloon at night.

The current Peak Tower is the second on the site. Construction of the first one started in 1960, and it was opened in 1969. The current Peak Tower was the work of the British architect Terry Farrell, and was completed in 1997 and it’s located at an elevation of 396 metres.

The world’s largest permanent light and sound show.

There are many “Must See” sights in Hong Kong. The world’s largest permanent light and sound show is one of them. If you thought Victoria Harbour was a dazzling sight on its own, hang around for “A Symphony of Lights”, the multimedia show which takes place daily at 8.00pm and involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour. Whether you’re up at The Peak, at one of the many rooftop bars (like for example Wooloomooloo rooftop bar), The Avenue of the Stars or the Star Ferry across the harbour, you’ll be impressed by all the lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and sometimes even fireworks.

Hong Kong Skyline view up from the Wooloomooloo rooftop bar in Wan Chai.

The skyline of Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular in the world.

Walking across the over-path towards Hong Kong Central.

The “Symphony of Lights” laser show is one of the major attractions in Hong Kong.

40 building participate in the “Symphony of Lights” laser show in Hong Kong every day at 8.00pm.

Al Fahidi District.

Let me begin with describing the neighbourhood I enjoyed the most: Al Fahidi District. It’s the oldest neighbourhood of the city located right at the Dubai Creek. What you’ll come across here is peace & quite in an otherwise busy and bustling city. No street noise and no skyscrapers at all. A true oasis in Dubai.

Sophisticated houses with rough walls shielding the privacy of the wealthy families within became a trademark of the Al Fahidi Historical district in Dubai.

Downtown Dubai.

But of course Dubai is all about high buildings and extravagance architecture. A visit to the top of the highest man-made structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa, is an absolute must for every visitor (unless you’re afraid of heights). Depending on how much time you have, a visit during the day and night is well worth it. The 360° view is simply breathtaking. And while you’re in the area, stroll through Dubai Mall for some extensive shopping. But be sure to calculate at least 3 hours if you intend to also visit the famous Dubai Aquarium.

The view from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The view of the Financial District from “At the Top” in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with the 10-million litre tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

Dubai Marina.

As I just had 48 hours in Dubai, I wasn’t able to do everything I wanted (which included a visit to the Deira fish market), yet I did get the chance to travel South to the Dubai Marina. Talk about a lot of skyscrapers in one spot. Hold on there Hong Kong! Beach, water and an amazing skyline is all happening down there. Must-do: Take a boat to view the city from a different angle.

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city, built along a 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline.

Apart from the things mentioned above, I strolled along the Dubai Creek, had some amazing Indian & Pakistani food and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon in the Al Fahidi District.

Biggest downer of the trip: The Palm Jumeirah.

But just because of the points mentioned above, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit! The 5 sights mentioned below were my personal favourite during our trip. Sure, most of them (actually all of them) are pretty obvious, but as said, Berlin’s landmarks can be pretty darn impressive during night…

1. Brandenburger Gate.

The Brandenburger Gate in Berlin – With its massive structure, the Brandenburger Gate is well-known around the world.

2. Berlin Cathedral.

Berlin Cathedral – Both during day and night, this structure is very impressive, yet the light installation during night makes it stand out even more.

3. Reichstag Building.

Reichstag Building in Berlin – Be sure to check our the inside as well (but don’t forget to register in advance, otherwise the waiting time is forever!)

4. Reichstagskuppel.

Reichtagskuppel in Berlin – Definitely one of the highlights during our trip, but it took us two days to get in because when we first came, the Reichskuppel was closed due to bad weather.

5. Alexanderplatz.

Alexanderplatz with its famous TV Tower, Berlin – This was the view from our hotel room. We also went up the tower, but again, due to heavy snow, we didn’t see a thing.

This is why I love living in Europe: We only decided to visit Venice two days before boarding the overnight train from Vienna. With a sleeper compartment you arrive relaxed at 8.00 am in the morning. We were greeted with warm sun-rays and immediately enjoyed our first Italian cappuccino. After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we started our “workout-weekend”.

“Workout-weekend” because unless you take the Vaporetto around the Canale Grande, (one-way 7 €, a day-ticket something like 25 €), you have to walk. We quickly noticed a lot of good looking, trim locals … no wonder; after speaking to an Italian shop owner we were told that the average Venetian walks 2.5 hours per day (!) through the city. Everything in Venice needs to be delivered through the canals and after that, one has to continue by foot with all the goods. So it seems, the Venetians are in pretty good shape.

Let’s start.

We started at Santa Lucia, where the train arrives, down to the easternmost point in Castello. Quite a walk. It’s all cobblestone down the way with lots of bridges over the channels that need to be crossed, so make sure to bring your best walking shoes. Walking is definitely the best choice to really discover Venice the right way; every turn holds a new discovery, may it be a little Plaza, an inviting looking Trattoria or another famous Pallazzo.

Don’t be put off by reports of tourist hordes; once you venture into the side alleys you’re almost on your own, even during peak times. Of course Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Guggenheim Museum and the sights around the Grand Canal are packed during high season. But it’s your choice whether or not to flow with the masses or venture into a small lane that you’ll have for yourself…

One place that we came across this time really caught our attention: The book store Libreria Acqua Alta. A bookshop that will impress you even if you’re not a book worm. It’s really unique and we’ve never seen anything like it before.

The Grand Canal in Venice forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. Public transport is provided by water buses and private water taxis.

The bookstore “Libreria Acqua Alta” in Venice makes quite the impression.

Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture, and its artworks. The city in its entirety is listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its lagoon.

The history of the Piazza San Marco can be conveniently covered in four periods, but the only pre-renaissance buildings and monuments still standing there are St Marks, the Doges Palace and the two great columns in the Piazzetta.

The Rialto Bridge in Venice is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo.

Venice’s popularity as a major worldwide tourist destination has caused several problems, including the fact that the city can be very overcrowded at some points of the year. It is regarded by some as a tourist trap, and by others as a “living museum”.

For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. It’s driven by a gondolier. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as ferries over the Grand Canal.