Water taxi ride at sunset.
They say that the best way to discover this magical city is to get yourself lost. We did just that and it proved to be interesting. Every turn brings a new surprise in Venice. A local market, a church, a new and interesting neighborhood. If you really have a destination, you can follow the signs that point to the main destinations like San Marco or Rialto Bridge. Using a map seems pointless.
Some highlights from Venice: The sunset ride on the vaporetto. I took some of the best pictures of my life with little effort. It is really hard to take a bad picture in this town. Also,this morning I helped an old man up and over a canal bridge when I was out on a morning walk. He stopped me and said, “Mano, per favore?” He held out his arm and I linked mine with his and we made for the steps. He asked me if I was English and I told him I was American. The first thing he said was, “Obama.” Just the one word.
Alex trying to keep warm.
I also had some good wine, great coffee, and too many of these little fried donut things called fritole.
Now we are off to Florence to hit the museums.
Ciao! (I love saying ciao! It sounds kind of pretentious when you say it in the U.S. but in France they say it a lot.)
In front of San Marco.
Lovely Jeanne.. Keep up the wonderful blogs!
Miss you. It’s all rainy in Florence. Going out there anyway!
It is a fabulous city, qiute the most gobsmacking place I have ever visited. I agree the best thing to do is to get lost ! The only trouble with that is that I spent a whole day trying to refind a handbag shop!
Oops! Alex’s job the whole time was to keep me from buying one of those Carnavale masks. I told him that that was his only mission while in Venice. I tested him once or twice but he came through. No mask!
Gary’s family all live near Florence (Arezzo) and it is of course one of our favorite cities. I am facinated by the pont a vecchio bridge and the museums are incredible. Go to a restaurant and have the daily special, you can’t miss.
you are right, off the beaten track is always the best.
Lattia Parigi is a young cousin, college student who is a tour guide in Florence. Just in case you run into a tour guide. haha
Get away from the tourists but do see the statue of DAVID
arrivederci
Jo
We had a great dinner tonight! Tomorrow we will see David, of course. No tours planned but that would be great to run in to one of Gary’s cousins! We are loving Italy!