Venice is firmly established in our culture.

One of the world’s great cities. Part of our language, thanks to Shakespeare. And now a favourite city break destination with the arrival of cheap airfares.

San Marco’s piazza makes the M25 at rush hour seem bucolic. But the magic of Venice is that you can escape the crowds in minutes. Within the shadow of San Marco’s campanile lie deserted alleyways, bridges and quays. The joy of this city is exploring. You will get utterly lost. But you will stumble across sights that most visitors never see.

Venice also reminds you that world power is a fragile flower. Back in the 16th century, Venice was a mighty force on the world stage. Its Arsenal could build a warship in 24 hours. But within 150 years, Venice’s place in the sun had gone. Napoleon conquered the island city, giving it to his Austrian allies. More recently, the city has lost almost two-thirds of its population since 1945. It now lives on the tourist trade.

Is there a lesson there for George W Bush’s America?