Venice is definately my favourite city so far. It is made up of 150 islands and joined by many canals and 400 bridges. Up until 1805 it was an independent country until it became part of Italy. This might explain your confusion this morning Mum as it was probably it's own country when you studied geography in high school. :P
Venice is also home to the first public library and the first spiral staircase. Leonardo Da Vinci also invented and tested the first ever submarine here.
We started the day with a glass blowing demonstration as Venice is very famous for its glass maestros. I bought myself a birthday present there as well which I will show off when I get home. We then went on a guided walking tour and then something that rivalled driving the ferrari.
We boarded our private gondola at 2pm and enjoyed a 30 minute ride around the canals of the city. We spent most of the time in a trance, and the rest of the time taking photos and drinking pink champagne.
For my birthday dinner we decided to endure a progressive dinner, beginning with a cheese platter and wine. Unfortunately it took us a long time to find our first course. At one place we asked for a table for two, but instead received a tea for two! Eventually, we enjoyed an entree, main and dessert... a great end to a great birthday!