Venice

Venice has an archetypal romantic scene: a short bridge arching over a canal, a gondola gliding by, the moon reflecting off the water. Its winding, narrow streets can be eerily quiet and mysterious, particularly on a foggy night. Don't miss the islands connected by bridges, Venice's main street-the Grand Canal is traversed by an assortment of watercraft, from rowboats to yachts to cargo vessels. During Carnevale, its waterfront is lit by torches at night as colorfully masked and costumed revelers overrun the city's ancient palaces and public squares. Venice draws as many as 200,000 visitors a day, but the resident population has declined to less than 70,000. During peak summer and holiday periods the city has introduced a multipurpose tourist pass known as the Venice Card, to minimize visitor waits at various attractions. Many young people have moved to the mainland, where rents and real-estate prices are lower. Parts of downtown are dirty and run-down -- and rather smelly in summer heat.