To see Venice's Grand Canal is to see just how innovative humankind can be. Instead of a main road, Venice is dominated by its 2.5 mile, Grand Canal waterway (called "Canalazzo") which is the heart that drives this ancient city. So instead of seeing cars go to and fro, you will see a wide variety of boats including gondolas, ferries, vaporettos (a type of waterbus) and even police vessels going about their day at a blissful leisurely pace.

The best way to experience the Grand Canal and the beauty of Venice is by taking a ride on vaporetto Line 1. This waterbus service is relatively cheap and runs from the Venice Train Station (Ferrovia) to Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square). Though you can get on at various stops along the way, taking the vaporetto Line 1 from the train station is the way to go if you want to see more of Venice.

The entire journey (train station to Saint Mark's Square) takes about 45 minutes and on the way you will get to see intricately designed buildings, churches and palaces ranging from the 12th to the 18th centuries. If you want to fully experience Venice, take the same ride again at night when the buildings are lit up and the city undergoes a magical transformation. The vaporetto Line 1 operates from early morning (around 5 AM) till midnight and departs every 10 minutes during the daytime.

For the romantically inclined, you can take your partner on a moonlight or sunset time gondola ride down the Grand Canal where you can whisper sweet nothings, pledge your love or better yet, propose!