Victor Boswell
Venice, Italy

I know Venice is expensive and crowded, but probably almost every culture in the world has inherited something from this Adriatic gem. We owe them for music, art, literature, technology, all in ancient and modern versions. Vivaldi, Giorgione, and Titian are just a small sample of these contributors.

Venice’s continued existence is a testament that they’re doing something right; it should have sunk ages ago. The bottom line is that since despotic administrations can confiscate our real estate and money, all we really have is romance and friendships. Venice can supply both even if it sinks.

Victor Boswell is a photographer for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and a contributor to TRAVELER’s 50 Places of a Lifetime issue.