Driving out of Northern Italy and the Dolomites on Monday morning, we headed for the love city of Venice. Suprisingly, for two people that get lost driving up the Merrit Parkway to Mass., we have done extremely well navigating foriegn countries - I have a new found respect for our compass!
Venice is an amazing place. Why they decided to bulid a city on a marsh land is beyond me. I guess the same thing will be said about the Xanadu project in the Meadowlands in 800 years (or has it already been said). Anyway, a couple million timber piles that are almost 1000 years old support everything here...simply genious engineering. The canals are everything you would expect and create a maze that makes Amsterdam look like the grid of midtown Manahattan. You can get lost here simply by standing still.
Unfortunataley the weather has been tricky. It poured on the drive down but let up enough for us to unload the rental car and get our bearings. Then poured enough to soak us on our way to the hotel but stopped again so we could enjoy the rest of the day. The man that owns the B&B we stayed at gave us a quick to do list for ourstay here. Basically he said, wander around and get lost the first day (easy enough), ride along the Grand Canal and take a Gondola ride the second day. See as many of the 120 churches as possible along the way. (120 CHURCHES in all...I'm waiting to understand that). Look, here's one now! This is the most famous. the Basilica di San Marco.
We splurged that night and treated ourselves to an excellent Italian dinner. Bottle of vino, antipasta, 1st course, second course and even desert! Mika may be half Italian but I swear I was meant to be!
So Romantic!!! and Delicious! Which leads me to day 2 in Venice. A boat ride up the Grand Canal to start, a bottle of wine, cheese and fruit for lunch in one of the hundreds of picturesque plazas, followed by the cherry on top - a Gondola ride through the city at twighlight. This is where romance was created!
So now its off to Florence...apparently they have some art there!
Ciao- Alan
First, I want to say that you guys are awesome and I hope you continue to have a great time on your wanderings.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I want to tell you that I hate you both for making me so jealous.
pack the kids with the parents and come meet up!! i am pissed I am going to miss the post season - you need to keep me updated. i doubt im going to find the YES network in Nepal
ReplyDeleteThe trip sounds amazing! The next best thing to traveling for months is to live vicariously through your adventures. Thanks for sharing!
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