Venezia

2008, 2.22 Venice, Italy

After Florence, Kate and I traveled east and spent one lovely day and night in the Italian city built on water, Venice. We arrived and checked into our hotel, Hotel Adua, and then went out to find a nice meal. After enjoying a meal at a restaurant not too far down the street, Kate and I then went on to explore the beautiful and wondrous city.

Gondolas and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore across the Grand Canal

We went on a gondola ride--expensive, but a very interesting way to see and experience the city. Our gondolier was very friendly and informative, showing us around the unique city of Venice. We went through the Grand Canal, and to the famous Ponte di Rialto, or Rialto Bridge, before gliding through some of the back canals of the city.

A peek of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal from our gondola

It was interesting to see this city, literally built on water, and the way people live their daily lives. They use boats or walk for transportation methods, as there are no roads inside the city. The buildings are situated in a way that you pass through areas that seem like they are going to lead to nowhere and then you stumble upon a beautiful square with a church, trees, friends chatting, and children playing as their parents and other family members look on while engaging in conversation and laughter.

One of the many squares we stumbled upon

Some of the masks and collectibles in the shops on the Rialto Bridge

Pigeons playing with girl in front of the Basilica San Marco in the Piazza San Marco

A view of Venice's transportation, infrastructure, and architecture

Venice was absolutely beautiful, full of impressive architecture and rich colors everywhere. The food was good. The markets and shops were fun to look through. The pace of they city was slow and relaxed. As you try and take it all in, you find yourself feeling its rich history and culture deeply embedded in the people and your surroundings--life happening all around you while you look on, entranced with wonder.

Central Venice and the Grand Canal at dusk from the Rialto Bridge