"Cruising Around VENICE In A Gondola... " a Venice Travel Page by Krystynn

Se volete vedere l'Italia nel suo fulgore, prenotate una indimenticabile vacanza estiva....

To VENICE.

Or to VENEZIA, as the Italians would proudly proclaim...

To stroll around VENICE without a care in the world is like Heaven on Earth. Getting lost in this city can truly be a joyous experience as you tackle the narrow maze-like cobbled lanes, streets and unexpected city squares.

VENICE and its activities centers around the Piazza San Marco, one of the most magnificent squares in the world! It is here that the awesome 900-year old St Mark's Basilica will leave you enthralled with its interior covered in stunning mosaics which displays an amazing collection of four bronze horses that the Venetian army snagged from Constantinople (modern day Turkey). If you have some time to spare, you must ascend to the top of the Campanile where you can catch a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its major attractions. The Palazza Ducale (Doges' Palace) and the Bridge of Sighs will both leave you gasping for more. Another noteworthy attraction here is the Accademia Museum which houses an impressive collection of Venetian art masterpieces, amongst those are paintings by the great Bellini.

Shopping in VENICE is also a lovely experience as I walked along the winding streets and lanes with its many shops selling fascinating souvenirs. The good buys include their eather products, porcelain carnival masks that comes in every conceivable size (!!), costume jewellery and its trademark - Murano glassware.

Opera is also a big thing here in VENICE (and for that matter, elsewhere in Italy). You can catch a stunning performance at the Fenice Theater. Or for some fun and pomp, try and catch their CARNEVALE, a costumed celebration with exuberant dancing on the streets of Venice from end-February to the first week of March.

Yes, Venice is indeed a city of canals and cathedrals originally built on a swamp! Today, it draws throngs of tourists from all around the world. It is a city in which the major mode of transportation are boats called simply - the gondolas or vaporettos (motorized boats).

So go ahead and explore one of the most beautiful and most unique cities in the world.

VENICE.


"Sailing round the world in a dirty gondola oh, to be back in the land of Coca-Cola!"
- Bob Dylan

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Footnote: This travel page is written from impressions taken off my first visit to the most romantic city in the world - VENICE. I have since become a regular visitor to Venice (or VENEZIA, as the Italians would say) over the years. The travel tips will be penned from my latest visit. So, not to worry. It won't be 'ancient' tips! I hope you'll find my experiences useful in helping you plan for your forthcoming holiday. Thank you.

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Copyright (c) Krystynn 2004
Please do not take my personal pics without prior permission. Thanks.