Venice, Italy

For our first “real” trip together again, we chose to visit the ultra-romantic city of Venice to get re-acquainted.
Although much acclaimed in history and pop culture, Venice is a relatively small town with only 65,000 people living in the city that is shaped like a fish. Our hotel was conveniently located near where the dorsal fin would be. However, since Venice is more like a town than city, everything is close.

We spent a lot of time cruising on the vaprettos (like a water borne bus), or just wandering around. We thought the best part of Venice was simply taking it in as we passed from canal to canal surrounded by beautiful architecture.

Of course, the gondolas were everywhere.

There is no real significance to these buildings. I just liked the way they look.

Saint Mark’s Square is probably the most famous landmark in Venice. There are a number of interesting museums in addition to the large church and bell tower you see in this picture. The building on the far right is the Doge’s Palace. Venice was an autonomous city-state for over 1,000 years, and this is where the elected leader lived and conducted business. Venetian government uses an interesting method. There is a grand council of noble or aristocratic families that elect 120 senators. Those 120 elect 1 man to be the Doge (or Duke) for life. He is the nominal leader of the city. However, his power was checked by a number of bodies, like the Council of Ten. This group decided pretty much on everything from foreign relations to financial matters. They were important all the way until 1797 when Napoleon conquered the city and dissolved the council.

The pigeons of St Mark’s square are almost as famous as the buildings. They have gotten VERY used to being fed by the tourists.

A bag of bird food provides much entertainment (not to mention amusement for those nearby).


They have gotten so used to interacting with humans that even if you don’t have any food, they will land right on you.


More gondolas.

This image is the Grand Canal. It is Venice’s aqueous main street.


Some of the streets run right into the canals.

More canals and gondolas.


Creating glass has been a part of Venice almost since it’s inception. However at the end of the 13th century, the industry moved to the island of Murano to lessen the risk of a catastrophic fire in the city center.
We decided to hop on a ferry and check out the world-renowned Murano glass. It did not disappoint. Here are a couple images from a glass factory. The master in charge (on the right) spent 25 years learning the trade before he was even considered to be a master.

The glass objects they produce are truly works of art.

Back in the grand canal, gondoliers continue to paddle love-struck tourists around.

Some came complete with a serenade.


This is the Rialto Bridge. It is another architectural landmark of the city. This is the third bridge in this location, completed in 1591. The two earlier bridges were wooden and could open to permit passage of large ships. However, since this 160 foot stone span was built to last, that accommodation ended. Nevertheless, Rialto continues to be the commercial district of Venice.

Another gondolier.

Since Venice is as close to sea level as you can get, it is very affected by tides and changing water levels. Unfortunately, in addition to the rising sea levels that are much touted in the media these days (the actual magnitude of that rise is debatable), the foundations of the city have sunk several inches AND the local tide levels have increased several inches. So, the combination of all three of those factors means that the city of canals deals with flooding on a regular basis. This is just a small example of what is happening.

Venice by night is an experience all romantics need to have. It is simply amazing.

The great violin virtuoso and composer, Antonio Vivaldi called Venice home. Now, musicians pay homage daily and his familiar tunes can be heard in a number of concert halls every night. We chose to hear a well played rendition of his “Four Seasons.” Anna and I decided that Fall was our favorite season.

Images from a couple of nearby restaurants.


This is the view at night from the Rialto bridge. Everything becomes triply romantic in the city after dark.



Anna didn’t have a hard time finding gelato she liked.


That concludes our visit to the romantic city of Venice. It was a great place to get close again.
I am finishing this post from our hotel in Paris. So, soon I will have the next installment of our romantic adventures in Europe.
Until then…
–Jim