Clichés come to be reborn in Venice, where all the picture books in the world won't prepare you for the sight of its gilded palaces rising from the sea. Explore the city's famous churches and museums but set aside time to get lost in The Canaled One. Deceptive, mysterious Venice has a soft spot for wanderers, and to them she will open her heart. There are many ways to explore the city, not the least of which is getting lost in its labyrinth of streets. (Don't be surprised to come to an intersection with signposts for your destination pointing in different directions—there's more than one way to get there.) Don't miss taking a gondola, the most enduring of numerous flat-bottomed craft that were developed to navigate the lagoon's shallow waters. These austerely beautiful and elegantly designed boats have evolved over centuries to meet Venice's unique needs.