Water is an inescapable fact of life in Venice, given that the city's built on 117 small islands and boasts about 150 canals and 409 bridges. So it seemed appropriate to enter Venice on water - via a "water bus" along the "Canal Grande" - Venice's "main street".

The Grand Canal wends its way for 3.5km through the heart of the city, past numerous historic buildings, architectural treasures, fish and produce markets, and under the three bridges that span it, ending by Venice's most famous landmark, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square).

What an exciting way to get an initial sense of the city!