Lagoons and canals mark the highlights in Venice. There are many travelers who would prefer the crowded streets but it is easy to hire a gondola. The water taxis are also efficient in service. You can also negotiate before hand so that all your trips become economical. The serpentine shape 'S' is what makes the journey interesting to the tourist. It connects the Saint Mark Basin till Santa Lucia which is the railway station. Interestingly is about 300 feet in width. The depth is also about 15 feet. The traffic in the canal is managed well and the fondamente is also clearly demarcated to avoid confusion.

Research shows that the canal must have earlier been a river which later also became a trader's area. Centuries later merchants build homes around it. The Byzantine style house came around the 13th century with the typical architecture that was recognized from far. One can see this in the Ca'da Mosto that is palatial in its making. The Ca d'Oro shows the signs of Gothic culture though several Venetian themes are seen along with it. The creations were very sleek in the 15th century. The houses along Canale Grande then developed the Renaissance culture with white as the prominent color.

The marbled image of the House of Gold or Ca d'Oro is enchanting. It has several decorative structures in the windows too. It is interesting to know it almost took ten years to formalize it. The gold leaf motif is alluring. It was rebuilt in the 1800's. The restoration work went well and the masterpiece still mesmerizes the tourist with its color and large rooms here. It also show cases the works of art contributed by many famous artists.

It was a marvel to see the Baroque clippings in the buildings during the 17th century. The Santa Maria di Nazareth Church which is also known as Scalzi is a feature of their kind. The contribution of architect Baldassare is surely to be appreciated here. Thus we can see the various structures and the changes the buildings around the canal had undergone in each age. The work of renowned architectures and the perseverance of the people to keep their tradition via architecture have to be marveled at all times.

Boat races are a special feature at Canale Grande. People from all over the world come over at the specific times to witness the feat. This actually started somewhere around the 14th century. Decorating the boats is also a talent here. The waterway makes it necessary to travel by a water bus commonly known as vaporetto. The best part is the gondola ride. You can also negotiate with a gondola to take you to places. As six people can comfortably be accommodated in the gondola you can negotiate about the charge.

Gondolas or any water taxi will charge you more for the night ride. But it is worth a view as the canal turns mysterious and intriguing with the lights of the night. The Rialto bridge too is one great attraction here. Though there are so many canals in Venice, the Canale Grande is a special one always. The meandering shape is the prime attraction.