People have been drawn to Venice for centuries.

Nearly 300 years ago, it was known as the pleasure capital of Europe.

It was notorious. It was sort of like the Las Vegas of Europe.

Casanova came of age in that environment.

Coming up, Lawrence Burgreen tells us the real story of Jocamo Kacinova and 18th century Venice.

Today, pressures on Venice come from an overflow of tourists and locals are being squeezed out of the city.

Cities in general, in Venice in particular, were not created for tourists. They were created for citizens.

Salvatore Setis recommends how Venice can avoid becoming its own worst enemy.

For another side of Italy, Sicily offers great food and scenery, ancient landmarks,

and a high-spirited personality thanks to plenty of sunshine and a nightly stroll around town.

Remember in Sicily we have a great weather most of the time we spend this outside we

don't like to live in our apartment. We'll take you from Sicily to Venice and into the world of Casanova.

It's all just ahead on Travel with Rick Steves.

They used to call Venice Europe's Sin City.

Back in the 18th century, the legendary Jachimo Casanova had something to do with that.

Coming up on today's travel with Rick Steve's, historian Lawrence Burgreen tells us what Casanova's world of racy parties and wealthy self-indulgence

revealed about a powerful city state in the midst of decline. Today, Venice is still one of the world's

most beloved cities.

But can the floods of tourists that overwhelm its streets and squares be loving it to death?

An Italian professor who's known as the Conscience of Italy

cautions us about what must be done to preserve

the character of Venice before it's too late.

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