Even the bustle of modern life can't erase Venice's charm

More than 40 years after first visiting Venice for a guidebook update, the author says the city now feels different, shaped by globalization and modern travel patterns. Midday crowds remain heavy around sights like the lanes between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, but evenings are calmer. A growing share of visitors come on day trips from cruise ships and budget hotels on the mainland, reducing overnight stays and evening restaurant business for locals. The piece also notes new tourist foods on multilingual menus, litter buildup, and pressure on traditional local industries such as Murano glass, where some souvenirs are reportedly made abroad.