18. Venice
Even the most seasoned visitors to Venice get lost in the city’s labyrinthine network of islands, bridges, pedestrian alleys, and canals—and that’s part of the experience of visiting this captivating city. There’s a timeless appeal in afternoons spent wandering from palace to piazza, exploring the small art museums, and shopping the stalls that line the streets. You’ll find another layer of Venice—whether Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, or Italian—every time you round a corner.