Bridge over the canals of Venice, Italy by Marco Leeggangers

Venice is known worldwide for its beautiful canals and gondolas, which are an essential part of the city's unique charm. Venice is built on a group of islands in a lagoon in northeastern Italy. The city is criss-crossed by an extensive network of canals, which serve as Venice's main thoroughfares. The canals perform the role of streets, where gondolas, water taxi's and other boats serve as means of transport instead of cars's. The largest and best-known canal in Venice is the Grand Canal, which meanders through the heart of the city like an inverted 'S's's. The gondola is a traditional Venetian rowing boat that has been used as a means of transport in the city's canals for centuries. It is one of Venice's most iconic symbols. Gondolas are long, slender and elegant, with a curved bow and a flat bottom. They are made of wood and handcrafted by experienced craftsmen called 'gondoliers'. Traditionally, gondolas are hand-painted in a black colour, although there are some gondolas with other colours. Gondoliers play an important role in Venice's gondola tradition. They are experienced helmsmen and serve as guides for visitors who want to take a trip through Venice's canals. Gondoliers often wear a traditional uniform, consisting of a striped shirt, dark trousers and a hat. They may also sing traditional songs during the gondola ride, making the experience even more special.