Finally, you can sit-down and relax. You have been looking forward to this moment all day. For the first time in awhile you have the chance to take a deep breath. You are sitting in a caflong the Grand Canal watching the gondoliers slowly paddle by. You can hear the water splashing back and forth against the gondola. The voice you hear is the soft sounds of the gondolier singing Santa Lucia acapella.
The waitress brings you a glass of Asti Cinzano, a sweet sparkling wine from Northern Italy. As you slowly begin to sip the wine, your mind wanders, forgetting about everything going on around you. You feel as though you are slowly slipping back in time, a time that was much more simple.
The Venetian characters stroll along cobblestone sidewalks down the canal. They gracefully cross the bridge over the canal as they catch your attention you notice a couple passing under in a gondola dressed in their wedding attire. Your partner then joins you at the table. You point out the wedding couple; they kiss as they pass by.
You both then begin to look over the menu. It's no special occasion but you are captivated in the moment. Realizing how infrequently you get the opportunity to enjoy slowing down for a minute.
Believe it or not, this step back in time is in a mall. The luxurious 500,000-square-foot Grand Canal Shoppes featuring over 80 retailers and restaurants combines the beauty of Venetian landmarks, arched bridges and winding canals, with an unparalleled mix of exclusive shops. The Grand Canal Shoppes is located inside the award winning Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Featuring an intimate piazza-style setting, The Grand Canal Shoppes includes a one-quarter mile 'Grand Canal,' complete with a fleet of functional gondolas and singing gondoliers. Shoppers can enjoy a gourmet dining experience or simply a cappuccino at one of the waterside restaurants while being entertained by Venetian Artiste del Arte, bringing to life legendary Italian characters. The vibrant sense of an open-air experience culminates in St. Mark's Square, the centerpiece of the mall, set beneath a cathedral-style ceiling painted the beautiful colors of the Venetian sky.
Ranked as one of the most successful malls in the United States, The Grand Canal Shoppes has brought shopping to a new level. The Grand Canal Shoppes promises to provide a shopping and entertainment experience like no other. With a unique mix of mid-to up-scale stores and boutiques, shoppers no longer have to travel to New York or Milan to find the most exclusive retail stores in the world.
