| Ahhh, Venice..sounds of Andrea Boccelli resonating | | | | A discussion of Venice would not be complete |
| from open balcony windows. Two young lovers | | | | without discussing the pre-Lenten festival of |
| comfortably embraced while savoring a nice | | | | Carnevale. Carnevale, from the Latin meaning |
| gondola ride through a quaint canal. Couples | | | | "farewell to meat", is Venice's version of |
| strolling down the narrow cobblestone streets | | | | masquerade balls, costumes, parades, grandiose |
| mano-a-mano. Romance is in the air. And there's | | | | events, etc. The idea, of course, is similar to the |
| no better place for romance than a trip to Venice. | | | | Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the Carnevale of |
| Venice's main waterway is the Canale Grande | | | | Rio de Janeiro, where Christians celebrate one last |
| (Grand Canal) which snakes its way through the | | | | "hurrah" prior to Lent. |
| city for approximately 2 miles. Other canals will | | | | Another famous Venetian tradition is to visit a |
| feed into and out of this one. The Grand Canal is | | | | "cicchetteria", a little restaurant-bar establishment |
| the "Main Street" of Venice. | | | | usually hidden in many of the alleyways of Venice. |
| A good vantage point to see the Grand Canal and | | | | On Saturday mornings, prior to lunch, you will see |
| its activity is from the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di | | | | Venetians visiting the "cicchetterie" to sample "gli |
| Rialto). The Rialto Bridge is one of only three | | | | spuncioni", or hors d'oeuvre type appetizers. |
| bridges to cross the Grand Canal. The original | | | | Similar to the tapas used in Spain. Don't forget to |
| wooden drawbridge collapsed and was rebuilt a | | | | wash it down with some refreshing "cicchetti", or |
| few times culminating with its current day stone | | | | the local wine (red or white) served in these |
| structure in the late 1500's. | | | | establishments. |
| Piazza San Marco is really the heart and soul of | | | | If you like to gamble, Venice has the most |
| Venice. This is the main tourist focal point of the | | | | renowned casino in all of Italy. There are actually |
| city. It is a place where people (and pigeons) | | | | two that operate alternatively at different times |
| congregate to people-watch. The place to be | | | | of the year. You will usually find one of them |
| seen sipping some cappuccino or to people-watch | | | | open, except for holidays. |
| outside one of the cafés overlooking the | | | | Despite the above, Venice is not problem-free. |
| piazza. | | | | Flooding and polluted canals have been a concern |
| On the Eastern side of the Piazza lies the Doge's | | | | for some time. Some of the world's brightest |
| Palace (or Palazzo Ducale). This was the seat of | | | | engineers have been working on a system to |
| the government during the glory years of Venice. | | | | alleviate the "acqua alta", or flooding that can |
| Housed inside are artistic treasures and | | | | occur after a heavy rain or during an |
| masterpieces by the famous renaissance artists | | | | extraordinarily high tide. Piazza San Marco has |
| Tintoretto and Veronese, among others. | | | | been known to be flooded for a few hours at a |
| Next to the Doge's Palace lies a former prison. | | | | time. And of course, during the summer tourist |
| From here, prisoners were led across the Bridge | | | | season, Venice can become quite crowded. It is |
| of Sighs (or Ponte dei Sospiri), as a final walkway | | | | best to make your plans well in advance. |
| prior to their execution. Today, the bridge is used | | | | However, Venetians are very resilient. The town |
| in another manner young lovers are promised | | | | was basically built by trying to defy Mother |
| eternal love if they should kiss in a gondola | | | | Nature's sea. It is this resilience that has served |
| underneath the Bridge of Sighs. I told you Venice | | | | the people well for many centuries. Venetians are |
| was a romantic city! Where else can a grim bridge | | | | a special breed that live life to the fullest. They |
| connotate romance? | | | | are a people that know how to perservere. And |
| Murano glass-making, craftsmanship and artistry | | | | persevere they will for many more centuries to |
| that dates back to the 13th century, was | | | | come. |
| originated and perfected in Venice. It is definitely | | | | A trip to Italy would definitely not be complete |
| worth it to see these craftsmen at work. They | | | | without considering Venice on your agenda. It is |
| usually have tours where you can see them in | | | | easily accessible by train (about 4 hours from |
| action. There are hundreds of shops, particularly | | | | Florence) or just a quick flight from Rome. Ciao! |
| on the island of Lido. | | | | |