The Portofino Club Collections
Venice, Italy
There has never been another city like Venice, and not simply because of its "streets of water." For centuries it was a world power, which is evidenced by its art and architecture. It didn't become part of Italy until 1866. With perhaps the exception of the water buses that ply the Grand Canal, everything in Venice seems unchanged from 200 years ago: The palazzos. Piazzas. Churches. The Basilica. The Accademia and its Venetian paintings. The Rialto markets. Even the place you stay, the San Clemente Palace, is a restored monastery whose origins date back to 1131.