This was when the city and the Doge ruled the coastlines of the eastern Mediterranean, from Dalmatia to Crete.

BBC: Living in: Venice

In Hangzhou, gondolas glide through the man-made canals of Venice Water Town, which boasts its own Piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace.

WSJ: In Chinese Buildings, a Copycat Craze

In his later years, Guardi was commissioned to document some of the ceremonies and celebrations of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, including a series involving the doge.

WSJ: Appreciating Francesco Guardi's Changing Genres/ A Guardi Retropsective at Museo Correr in Venice

The Venetian Painters and the Venice of Canaletto tours from Orient-Express fly out of London in April and October for trips that include exploring the paintings and master works at the Doge's Palace and the Villa Pisani.

BBC: Openings