One of the unique things about Venice is the fact that it is actually several islands connected together to make the whole. This is unique as most island chains have some distance between them. For all intents and purposes, scientists tell us that Venice cannot actually be classified as an island because it does connect directly to the mainland but most people will still refer to it as an island for the most part. The origins of the land are somewhat shrouded in mystery but some historical interest does lie within the soil. Many believe that the island was founded by defeated Romans as they fled the tyranny of the Visigoths after their defeat. This would have been around 422 BC. Eventually the Romans would regain power but only to be defeated again by the Huns led by the infamous Attila the Hun some fifty years later. All that remained of the Roman Empire was a small strip of coastal land which was eventually defeated as well. For this reason the bulk of the survivors, which there were few, settled in Venice.

Water Sports
Because the island is mostly thought to be a romantic destination, water sports are not very popular. Sailing is probably the closest thing to water sports that one will find a lot of in Venice for the most part. There is little that goes on that does not revolve around the canals, but these are boating trips for the romantically inclined usually and not for the enjoyment of the water. There are several nice beaches around the coastal area that are accessible through the hotels that reside nearby. The water is known to be rather cold and not quite as inviting as the rest of the islands in the area. This is attributed to the weather patterns that can take hold without warning.

Island Diversity
Italians rule supreme in the area that is Venice, most of which can trace their roots back to the early Roman Empire in one form or another. The Visigoths and Huns left few survivors from the larger families and instead would leave the slaves. These people make up the largest part of the population.

Activities
History is highly popular in Venice, which leads one to the museums, which are numerous in number. Art is also highly classified. Canal rides are important and nearly every part of the main city can be accessed by canal.