Some want to experience Italy’s well-preserved culture, others to tie the knot (yes, couples do go to the so-called “City of Romance” to get married), and some to simply have a wonderful time exploring the city’s laidback lifestyle. Aside from the wonderful things stated above, what made Venice more interesting and well-known around the world is the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by water. So what are you waiting for? Read on and I’m sure these fun facts are more than enough to make you want to go to the “Queen of Adriatic”, Venice!

1. Geographically Unique

Venice captured the impression of a magical floating city by setting wood pilings on the 118 submerged islands in the Northern end of the Adriatic Sea. 400 foot bridges and 170 boat canals connect the city to make it easily accessible to the local populace.

Fun fact: Many famous people in history were born in Venice including the playwright and famous lover Giacomo Casanova, the explorer Marco Polo, and composer Antonio Vivaldi.

2. Get Lost on a Scenic Maze

Venice can be compared to a one big adventure. Once you are caught in the winding and seemingly endless streets and bridges of confusion, you would have no other choice but to keep on walking— which is actually a good thing! There’s no better way to explore Venice than getting lost and be surprised in what it has to offer at your every turn.

Fun Fact: Breaking away from the sea of tourists flocking at the city center in Piazza San Marco and heading for the narrowest alleyways is the greatest way to discover Venice! Don’t forget to bring a good map though.

3. Gondola, Gondole! (Gondola, Gondolas!)

Taking a trip to Venice and failing to ride a Gondola is like going to France and ignoring the Eiffel tower. These traditional and symbolic boats have been used as transport around the narrow Venetian waterways for more than 10 centuries. Evolving and perfected through time, Gondolas are designed to be easily operated by a highly-skilled oarsman known as a Gondolier.

Fun fact: Only 3 to 4 Gondolier licenses are issued annually. To qualify, applicants must be able to finish an extensive training after passing a rigorous exam. There are only 400 licensed Gondolas operating in Venice today.

4. Venice’s Cursed Palace

Ask your tour guide or anyone who knows the city well about the eeriest place in Venice and I’m sure they will point you at Ca’Dario, a Palazzo with an attractive Venetian Renaissance architecture along Grand Canal. The series of unexplainable deaths which seem to affect all of its owners first started way back when the structure was built in 1847.

Trivia: It has been said that the latest victim of the curse is John Entwistle, famed bass guitarist of “The Who.” John was leasing Ca’Dario during his untimely death in 2002.

5. Rialto Market

The Pescaria (Fish section) and Erbaria (Vegetable and Fruit section) make up the whole of Rialto Market. This is the place to go if you want to see the local lifestyle or buy a newly-caught fish from the Adriatic Sea, garden-fresh vegetables, and colorful flowers in Venice. It is best to walk around Rialto Market early in the morning, when the crowds are thin.

Fun fact: Remember to never ever touch the produce!!! This does not only apply in Rialto market, but in the whole of Italy. Ask the vendor of what you want and they’d be more than happy to give their best products to you.

Popular Venice Hotels

• Hotel Villa Edera – Double room from €40 per night
• Hotel La Meridiana -Double froom from €42 per night
• Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo – Double room from €90 per night
• Hotel Ca’ Dogaressa – Double room from €115 per night
• Hotel Antiche Figure – Double room from €94 per night

Photo of Venice by Barabeke

Like other tourist destinations though, the surreal “City of Bridges” can be a pretty expensive place if you don’t know where to find the cheapest deals and steals. Let me give you a few tips on how to prevent shelling out all your hard-earned money and still have a grand time in Venice.

1. Keep your Stay Cheaper and Hassle-free

Venice was designed to be explored either by foot or by boat. If you choose the latter, purchasing a Venice Connected card online and in advance will save you at least 15 percent from the original price of the public service fees. Services covered by the card include Vaporettos (water buses) and buses, car parks, public rest rooms, and entrance to public museums (no more long lines!)Policies seem complicated and card rates changes often, depending on the season so you might want to check their website.

2. Free Tourist Attractions

Not everything in Venice has an entrance fee. Churches for instance such as Basilica San Marco and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute are free and will surely amaze everyone for its centuries-old classic architecture, intricately-designed mosaics, and paintings made by great artists. Expect long lines and remember to keep yourself covered and well-behaved when inside church premises.

3. Cheap Venice Destinations

Looking for something inexpensive and authentically Venetian? The smallest of the six siesteres (neighborhoods) in Venice, San Polo west of the Rialto Bridge is packed with souvenir shops and workshops of Venetian artisans. Whether you want to buy a Murano glass ornament, learn what a forcola is, or bargain for a mysterious-looking Venetian mask which will surely look good on your wall; the narrow streets of San Polo is where you should head to!

4. Eat Where the Locals Eat

Grabbing a bite to eat in Venice need not be expensive. Stay away from tourist traps in and around Piazza San Marco. Instead, walk around Venice and find where the locals eat. A good area to start your search is at the Strada Nuova in Cannaregio (second largest siestere), one of the longest and widest streets in Venice. You can find pizzerias and trattorias (a casual eatery) here which sells a delectable plate of pasta for a measly price of €5.

5. Riding a Gondola is a Must!

A gondola ride may cost you around €80 to €120 for a 40 to 60-minute ride. But booking in advance on a private tour can get you half of that price. Still a little bit pricey if you ask me. But nevertheless, it would be perfectly fine to skip a meal or forget buying the souvenirs, just don’t ever, ever miss riding a Gondola. These floating masterpieces are the real essence of Venice!

Top 5 Budget Hotels in Venice

• Nuova Residenza Laguna – Double Room: €45 per night
• Hotel Caneva – 1-Star Hotel – Double Room: €50
• Hotel Città di Milano – 2-Star Hotel – Double Room: €55
• B&B Residenza degli Angeli – Double Room: €45 per night
• Bed & Breakfast Al Saor – Double Room: €55 per night

Photo of restroom entry in Venice, Italy, by Cfinke

Pigeon poo threatens leaning tower

It may not quite be the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but engineers are desperate to save the great Campanile bell tower that has shifted several millimeters over the past half century and is in danger of collapse, like it did unexpectedly in 1902. But, gravity is not this structure’s biggest threat, nor the high tides. Engineers have blamed the corrosion of the newer 1912 structure on pigeon poo.

No more room to roost

Venice’s famous Renaissance, Byzantine and Gothic towers have become perfect places for pigeons to roost, but overpopulation of the birds has caused damage to the architecture and been a nuisance to hoteliers, restaurateurs and shopkeepers who have to foot the bill. They scratch and peck at the marble for its calcium content, pooping what has been branded a “biohazard” by the Italian Cultural Works Ministry.

Anti-pigeon squad

Following recommendations from the Italian Cultural Works Ministry, feeding pigeons in St Mark’s Square, which is almost as synonymous with the birds as Trafalgar in London, was banned on May 1 last year. People caught will eventually face a similar penalty to that in the English capital, which was a £50 on-the-spot penalty fine when the ban went into force in 2003.

Rogue pigeon feeders

Last year, the media reported animal-lovers careering into St Mark’s Square in speedboats with skull-and-crossbones to feed the pigeons. Protestors hurled bags of bird feed in direct confrontation with the police. Officials ignored the demonstrators and banned licensed feed vendors from operating .

Keep birds lean

The problem is the number of pigeons, officials said. A manageable number would be 2,400 but there are more like 60,000, city chief environmental officer Pierantonio Belcaro said. In an interview with the Seattle Times, he added: “Overfeeding is a problem because those that are ill and not strong live longer than they should. It is no longer a natural thing.”

Cats needed

Some locals put the problem down to the lack of cats and – oddly – Napoleon. One hotelier said in the report that the French leader was responsible for introducing the birds. Meanwhile, a five-star hotel manager was searching for a solution over laying blame. The hotel had gone to extreme lengths to keep pigeons away from a rooftop terrace, introducing nets, decoy hawks and even ultra sound to shoo the birds.

Stop the pigeons

The only way to help Venice preserve its architecture for visitors to enjoy for years to come is to not feeding the pigeons. Keep your panini safely tucked away and do not give any money to rogue feed sellers, of which there were several on top of the licensed vendors in the early part of 2008. The authorities were planning to introduce fines for anyone even seen giving out tucker to the birds, so that could be reason enough to ward you away from going home penniless and on an empty stomach.

Photo of pigeons, St Mark’s Square, Venice, by Dawvon

It has now evolved to being the best known international event in Venice with people from all over streaming in to this popular tourist destination. The avenues of enjoyment are aplenty, from the more creatively stimulating theaters and street performances to the most carnal gambling dens. In 2009 the celebrations begin on the thirteenth of February and the closing is on Mardi Gras on the twenty fourth of the same month. Her are some tips to making the most of your ten days and nights in the floating carnival.

1. Most costumes can be hired at several places throughout the city.

So, instead of paying an excessive sum for buying a costume you’ll probably never again wear, just rent.

2. Most of the parties are extremely expensive.

However, there is a way to enjoy the carnival without going broke. Don’t miss any of the events on Piazza San Marco which you can enjoy without having to buy tickets. Make it early to San Marco to get a great view of the ‘Flight of the Angel’ where a special guest flies down from the Torre del Campanile amidst music and fanfare. The Doge and Dogaressa’s historical parade follows. Later in the day is the Fiesta Della Marie where traditional carnival groups accompany seven Venetian girls dressed in the most elaborate costumes. The parade starts at San Pietro di Castello and winds through the entire city till it reaches Piazza San Marco. Street artists and more costume festivals keep San Marco buzzing for the rest of the day and the carnival. Stroll through Santa Croce for a unique experience where special theater groups focus on creating a plethora of olfactory stimuli.

3. Permanent music shows ensure that the city is singing all day.

Afternoon shows are organized at Campo Santa Margherita. Post nightfall the venue shifts to Stazione Marittima. Campo San Barnaba holds more period [medieval and seventeenth century] musical events.

4. Sample great chefs’ recipes without paying the huge restaurant bills

A great way to sample some of the greatest chefs’ recipes without paying the huge restaurant bills is at the Kingdom of Taste at Cannaregio. Not only can you get a taste of their fabulous creations here, you can also get some recipes and, if you are lucky, some chef’s secrets.

5. The parties can, however, be a great experience.

Should your budget allow it try to attend one or two. Carnivale Al Buio in Castello is a unique party held daily and in complete darkness. The effect is a startling heightening of all other senses. You can also try the Carnival Opening at the Luna Hotel Baglioni and the Carnival Final Ball at Palazzo Pisani Moretta. Dinner, music, special performances are all included.

The 2009 carnival is labeled as 6 Sensi for 6 Sesteri- a promise to satisfy all senses. A promise it will definitely keep.

Photo of Venice Carnival, Italy,  by Gnappo™

Visiting Paris, France, and looking for authentic French entertainment?  Gridskipper lists six great cabarets in the French capital.

Planning a trip to Thailand or Indonesia with your young child? On Delicious Baby, read a guest post by Pamela Schultz about her traveling experience in south East Asita with her daughter.

Want to travel in style? Mr & Mrs Smith present the best luxury travel accessories. Their A to Z list includes stylish luggages, trendy sun glasses,  fantastic beauty products,  electronic gadgets, and more luxury travel items.

Flying to Rome, Italy? On cnn.com, check out a photo gallery showing wonderful examples of Roman architecture.

I spent the Christmas holiday in Rome two years ago and will do so again this year, so in the spirit of the holidays have composed a list of some of my favorite things to do during the Italian holiday season.

1. Christmas Markets

Christmas means shopping and towns all over Italy are filled with traditional markets selling candy and handicrafts. Most markets start popping up after December 8 (the holiday of the Immaculate Conception) and remain until January 6 (the Epiphany). One of my favorites is in Piazza Navona in Rome, with its carnival games, candy, and stalls selling nativity scenes and figurines of the Befana. For something a bit out of the way, stop by the Auditorium for their month long Christmas festival with games, concerts, ice skating, and puppet shows. Up north in Venice, the annual market in Campo Santa Stefano runs from November 29 to December 23 and features stands with handmade toys and crafts, as well as regional culinary specialties.

2. Christmas Food

To me winter always starts up when I see vendors on the streets roasting chestnuts. Just follow your nose and ask for a bag, which should cost 2 to 3 euro. Pandoro, typical of Verona and panettone, typical of Milan, are now found all over the peninsula and are often given to friends and co-workers. In Naples try strufoli, which are balls of fried dough drizzled with honey and sprinkles and then stacked into a little pyramid.

3. Christmas Presepe

Instead of looking for Christmas lights (though you will see those around as well), you can make a whole trip out of viewing the nativity scenes set up in various Italian cities. The nativity gets more popular the further south you go, where it seems like every store from butcher to baker has one set up. In Rome, stop by Santa Maria Maggiore to see one of the oldest nativities in the city, carved in marble. Of course the enormous nativity scene set up in St. Peter’s Square is also not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Aracoeli, by Piazza Campidoglio, for their nativity and, from Christmas Eve onwards, a glimpse at the Santo Bambino. Roman children come to give thanks to this oil wood sculpture of the Christ Child. In Naples, you’ll want to be sure to visit via San Gregorio Armeno in Spaccanapoli. This famous street is filled with artisans creating nativity figurines. Everything from your traditional figures to Bart Simpson as a shepherd can be found here.

At Context Travel we offer specials walks in Rome and Naples designed around the food and nativity traditions in each city. Each make your holiday stay a bit more special, as you come away with a better understanding of what it means to celebrate Christmas in Italy. Both walks last three hours and are either 55 euro per person or 270 euro for groups booking privately.

Buon natale!

Photo of the Colosseum at Christmas, Rome originally posted by Jakob Montrasio

1.  Things to do in Munich

Published September 29th – If you’re planning a holiday in Bavaria, Germany check out our Top 5 things to do in Munich including the world famous Munich Oktoberfest, the Deutsches Museum,  the family-friendly Mike’s Bike Tours,  the traditional Hofbrauhaus, and the Olympic Park.

2. Best Cafés in Madrid

Published October 20th – If you’re a coffee addict traveling to Spain, check out our Top 5 cafés in Madrid. Café Central,  Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes, Café Gijón, Café del Foro, Café Moderno are five great spots to enjoy a coffee and spend a lazy afternoon in Madrid.

3. Fun facts about Switerland

Published October 12th – Read this fun article and discover five little known facts about Switzerland. Learn the real name of Lake Geneva and the real Coupe Chalet and Swiss Fondue recipes, then find out where to meet Aliens in the Alps and where Freddie Mercury used to live.

4.  San Francisco Ghost Tour

Published October 1st – If you’re planning a  weekend break in San Francisco, CA, do not miss one of the city’s most popular ghost tours. Starting from the haunted Queen Anne Hotel, the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Tour takes you to a supernatural adventure through the street of Pacific Heights.

5. Venice in Winter

Published October 14th – Dreaming of a winter holiday in Venice to avoid the tourist crowds and find great hotel deals? Read Travel Agony Aunt’s post and get useful information on Venice in winter time:  weather, things to do, what to pack,  best Venice hotels,…

Dear Travel Agony Aunt, I’m thinking of booking a trip to Venice late November early December. Do you have any suggestions for hotels and what the temperature would be. Would it be very cold? Thank you!
Mr. Murphy from Ireland

Dear Mr. Murphy,

The magic of Venice in any season has no need to be reminded. It is a very popular destination year round but winter is probably the best time to visit this enchanting city if you want to avoid crowds, live the real Venice’s atmosphere and find cheap hotels. In Venice high water events are frequent in Autumn and Winter but the risk of acqua alta should not prevent you from visiting the city. The floods do not take place everyday and last only a few hours, especially in the area around St Mark’s square, the lowest point of Venice. So pack good waterproof footwear and plenty of warm clothes and stride through the fascinating morning mist that envelops the whole city! Winter in Venice is the season of cold temperatures, icy winds from the sea, quiet streets, misty views and…hot chocolate! In cold weather, you shouldn’t miss the Venetian hot chocolate with whipped cream. Viziovirtù, located in San Tomà in Calle del Campaniel, 15 minutes walk from St. Mark’s Square, is definitely one of the best chocolate shops in Venice and serves a mouthwatering hot chocolate with classic or spicy flavors. Since the days are short in winter, I would suggest you to go sightseeing until early in the afternoon and later enjoy the evening in a cozy restaurant or a romantic wine bar.

Winter months are also the best time to save money. Venere.com offers a wide range of pensions and budget hotels in Venice for every taste. They should all be well heated and often offer discounts to those tourists staying for 5 days or longer. The most popular hotels in Venice on Venere.com are the following:

1. Hotel Stella Alpina

The Stella Alpina hotel in Venice lies within meters of the the city’s central train station and the Grand Canal. This charming four-storey hotel is situated in a quiet area of Venice’s historic city center and only five minutes from the Venice Casino.

2. Locanda Herion

The Locanda Herion hotel is located in the characteristic area of Cannaregio in Venice, only a few minutes from the Santa Lucia train station. The main feature of this hotel is the play of interlinked terraces, transformed into miniature roof gardens.

3. Hotel Rio

Hotel Rio lies in a lively area in the heart of Venice, in close proximity to St. Mark’s Square and just a short walk from the San Zaccaria vaporetto waterboat stop. Several rooms in the hotel were once occupied by the famous musical composer Antonio Vivaldi!

4. Hotel Reiter

The Reiter hotel boasts a superb position in Venice Lido, just 200 meters from the Venice Lido water boat station and only a 10 minute boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, in the very heart of Venice.

5. Hotel La Meridiana

La Meridiana hotel is situated in center of the Venice Lido, 100 m from the beach and only 500 m from the Venice Film Festival Palace. This Venice hotel is a recently restored building dating back to the 30’s.

Photo of lost traveler in Venice, Italy originally posted by David Sifry

1. Top accessible holiday destination: Valencia, Spain

Published August 6th – Valencia is one of the best accessible destinations in Spain and offers wheelchair friendly hotels, high quality public services and disability equipments ensuring both seniors and disabled tourists an enjoyable stay in this modern and vibrant Spanish city.

2. Top nudist beaches in Andalusia

Published August 1st – Here is a list of the best naturist resorts and nudist beaches in Andalusia, Spain. Shed all your clothes and inhibitions at one of these beautiful nude beaches in Southern Spain and give your body a perfect and natural all over tan!

3. Stag parties, drunk English women & hot Swedish girls

Published August 1st – Want to know what it’s all about? Check out the latest and funniest travel news we’ve discovered last month. From drunk elks and Swedish girls to stag parties in Prague, we keep you informed with what’s going on in the world of travel.

4. A gourmet dinner in Venice

Published August 15th – Are you visiting Venice in September and want to experience something different? If yes then this is an event you can’t miss. The Context Travel’s Annotated Dinner in Venice will take place in a typical Venetian restaurant with a special gourmet dinner prepared by a renowned culinary expert. An evening of food and wine in the world’s most romantic city.

5. Cheap accommodation in Sardinia

Published August 7th – Old Travel Agony Aunt gives some useful advise regarding the wonderful island of Sardinia. As an expert world traveler she gives detailed information on where to find a cheap accommodation in Sardinia, how to get around and which are the places you can’t miss, from the Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena island to Alghero.

Context Travel is a network of scholars that organizes walking seminars for travelers throughout Italy and Europe and for this event, sommelier and culinary expert Tamara Andruszkiewicz is putting together an evening of food and wine that will take you beyond the crowds of San Marco and into the rich history of Venice.

The event takes place at the Fiaschetteria Toscana, which contrary to having the word “Tuscany” in its name, is actually a quite traditional and well-respected Venetian restaurant. By working with the chef, Tamara will create a menu of seasonal Italian food that is tied to Venice. Each course will also be expertly paired with accompanying wine. Of course Venice’s location and fishing history dictates that much of the menu will be seafood based, so anyone with an aversion to fish may beware.

The four-hour dinner costs €155 (which includes a €95 multi-course meal and wine) and is open to 8 clients. So many travelers find it difficult to know where to find a decent meal in Venice, you might consider skipping out on the gondola ride and placing it here instead!

For booking and further information, visit the Context Travel website.

Dear Travel Agony Aunt,
My wife and I have hired a car for 9 days picking it up in Venice and dropping it off in Vienna. We have decided that we would like to go to Prague and possibly drive to Auschwitz. Wondering if you recommend other cities we should try and see possibly in northern Italy. Your help would be great.
RG, age 34, from Australia

Dear RG,

Your road trip from Venice to Vienna sounds so exciting!

Considering you are traveling by car, I would recommend you something different from ordinary trips to Northern Italy. Instead of visiting the beautiful ancient towns of Verona or Padua, you could make a tour of the famous Palladian Villas scattered throughout the Veneto region, also included on Unesco’s World Heritage List.

These sumptuous buildings, designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, are located in Vicenza and in the surrounding countryside. Vicenza itself, approximately 37 miles west of Venice, is home to several famous Palladio’s works, like Villa Capra (La Rotonda) and the Teatro Olimpico.

The Palladian Villas, former country houses of noble families, are real jewels in the Venetian countryside. Your itinerary could begin with Villa Barbaro in Maser, near Treviso, famous for the wonderful frescoes of Paolo Veronese. Then you could head towards Villa Emo in Fanzolo di Vedelago and Villa Cornaro in Piombino Dese, one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance country house. Villa Foscari in Mira, also called La Malcontenta, shouldn’t be missed either.

For a perfect interlude between the villas I would suggest to visit Asolo, an enchanting hill-town known as the pearl of the Veneto region, favorite retreat of famous artists like Canova and Igor Stravinsky.

If you need some ideas about where to stay, check out our list of accommodation options and hotels in the Veneto region.

Enjoy your road trip and don’t forget to send me a picture postcard if my suggestions were useful!

The recent ban on pigeon feeding in Venice, Italy marks the end of a long touristic tradition. Be careful next time you visit St.Mark’s square: don’t feed pigeons or you could get fined!

On the International Herald Tribune, Italian wine lovers can read an interesting story on Soave wine produced in the Verona countryside.

Looking for an eco-friendly hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark? Book your stay at carbon neutral Hotel Danmark, Ibsens Hotel or Hotel Kong Arthur, all members of Brochner hotel group.

More Environmentally-friendly hotel news: the Whitehall Group printing company came up with the idea of biodegradable room keys that hotel guests can recycle after their stay.

On Gadling, have a look at the bizarre design of the new National Library in Prague, Czech Republic. How would you call it? Blob, octopus or jellyfish?

Talking about marine animals, Intelligent Travel alerts its readers to masses of jellyfish heading to the beautiful beaches of Spain and the Mediterranean sea.

If you’re planning a visit to Berlin, Germany, check out Vagabondish to find information on the new multimedia guide to the Berlin Wall.

Read Gridskipper and find out where to buy French fashion designer clothes in Notting Hill, London.

Wondering how long you are legally allowed to stay in Europe, even on a weak dollar? James Martin at about.com has the answers for you.

The New York Times runs an article on how to beat jet lag. Is it naps, caffeine or viagra?

1. Delft Cathedral, Netherlands

Save up your energy because there’s only one way to reach the top of this tower: the stairs. Various levels deceive you into thinking the top is finally close at hand, but it is just a break before the staircase narrows and transforms from concrete to wooden planks with a thin splinter-inducing banister whirling you higher and higher. Listen closely for voices coming down before you embark upon the next level, these stairs are one way only. Along the way there are small several small openings onto the gothic-like stone balconies which offer a spectacular view of the treacherous drop into the market space. Very useful for taking a short break, taking some deep breathes, and talking yourself into trying for the top.

2. Tower of Columbus, Barcelona, Spain

Columbus was actually Italian, not Spanish as we are often led to believe. Regardless Barcelona hosts a commemorative structure towering over the harbor encircled by massive black lions reminiscent of Narnia’s Aslan, usually being straddled for a quick photo. For 2 euros a shaky elevator will take you to the top of this sculpture covered obelisk, revealing a 360 degree tour of the city, but the same effect (or better) can be achieved by hiking on solid ground to the top of Parc Guell on a sunny day – for free.

3. Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower, Canada

If news reports over the last thirty years haven’t convinced you of the structure’s reliability, I’m certain a ride to the top of the sixth tallest structure in Montreal will unsettle your stomach. Referred by locals as an expensive eyesore, the Olympic Tower tram that will transport you to the top for a lack luster view of the industrial part of the city. There’s a reason this Big O is referred to as the Big Uh Oh.

4. Toronto CN Tower, Canada

Another Canadian stop along this journey of structures too tall for themselves. It would be nice to take advantage of the complete view of sprawling Toronto, if only humans could battle of the gale force winds along the southern side. Being indoors is nice enough, but the glass floor is more of a scuffed view of the parking lot, and while I was there it was occupied by an East Indian family in full sari lying across it for an endless amount of snap shots. It’s just about 30$ with taxes to get to the top of the World’s Tallest building, and while I heard it was the best, it was merely taller than the rest.

5. St-Mark’s Tower, Venice, Italy

Ok, I can’t pick on Venice’s highest view, it was reasonably priced at 6 euros and on a beautiful clear day you can distinguish all the islands of Venice. It’s also nice to escape the loud construction along the harbor and the crowds of people. The line-up to the elevator can seem rather long, but it moves quickly and this view is well worth the wait.

Ultimately, whether a view from a claimed city’s tallest structure is worth it can come down to the cost, especially in places where the same can be achieved by walking up the same city’s most famous hill. Surely there are more dizzyingly heights from which tourists are invited to peer down from, constructions trying to reach the heavens seem to plague most cities trying make their mark on the architectural world, spotting the cityscapes sometimes at the expense of low-lying architectural marvels.

Photo of Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower originally posted by abdallahh

Traveling on a weak dollar in Europe : Msnbc reports that Harry’s Bar offers a 20 % discount to all the ‘poor American tourists’ on holiday in Venice, Italy.

Gastronomical conflict between France and Switzerland : On Gadling read about the controversy over the sparkling wine produced in Champagne, a small Swiss town about 25 miles from Lausanne.

Sexually Transmitted Disease prevention in China hotels : According to Vagabondish, the Chinese government wants hotel managers to be trained to promote condom use.

On Blog On Travel find out 10 things that annoy travelers while booking a vacation online. Fortunately, making a hotel reservation through venere.com is much more simple. Don’t you think?