With its grand palazzi, labyrinthine canals, gondolas and candy-striped mooring posts,
the floating island of Venice is the stuff of fairy tales. The golden basilica of St.
Mark's and the Gothic Doge's Palace are testaments to
Venice's affluent past, and the romantic city has long been an inspiration for
artists and poets, including Byron and Wordsworth. Sadly, this legendary city
– often described as the world's most beautiful – is
slowly sinking, but that doesn't stop tourists from falling under its spell year after
year. In fact, tourism has been Venice's main industry since the 19th century.
The Veneto region is one of Italy's richest. Well-known companies based there
include Benetton, Diesel, Electrolux and Illy.
