Chioggia is a small port town on the southern end of the Venetian lagoon about 16 miles south of Venice. It’s an ancient town, older than Venice and like Venice, it was built on islands, has canals and bridges that span them.

It’s scenic “Main Street”, the Corso del Popolo, spans the length of the town and is surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafes with characteristic narrow streets, called calli radiating outward from the main street.

The town has old churches, a fish market, ferries to Venice and the oldest clock tower in the world. It’s also my father’s hometown and I spent my time there visiting family.

Not too far from the old town is the newer Sottomarina which is a beach resort with a long sandy beach and the hotels and restaurants that cater to the beach tourists.

Up until recently it was an off the radar stop for American tourists but an article in the travel section of the New York Times earlier this year has brought more of them into the town and I’ve noticerd more restaurants and B&B’s than the last time I visited.