We have been very FORTUNATE to travel and tour many
european cities throughout the past several seasons.
But I have waited oh-so-patiently to make my way to Italy.
VENICE, Italy to be exact.
We had always lived too far away and took the opportunity to
visit the wonderful countries that were so close by.
Well, FINALLY Italy is in reach and car-driving distance away.
Get ready for the pics of Venice, because there are alot.
If you ever get the opportunity to go to Italy,
make a stop in Venice.
Venice has been known as the "City of Water",
"City of Bridges", and "The City of Light".
It is often cited as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
transportation within the city remains, as it was in centuries past,
entirely on water or on foot.
Venice is Europe's largest urban car free area.
city is built on and around the Adriatic Sea
hotels, shops, restaurants
public transportation - vaporetti
vaporetti are called waterbuses.
one of the waterbus terminals
ahhhh, this is a picture perfect for Venice.
The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges
spanning the Grand Canal.
It is the oldest bridge across the canal and
probably the most famous in the city.
view from the top of the bridge
Venice at night.
Restaurants on the piers are lit up at night and serve
the most amazing pasta!
Bella LOVED the pasta.
I guess pasta does taste better when in Italy.
and for dessert, gelato....italian ice cream
I've drank margarita's in Mexico, mai-tai's in Hawaii,
fine wine in Paris, liters of beer at Oktoberfest,
and now BELLINI'S in Venice.
Did you know that Bellini's were invented in Venice?
Me neither! Seriously, I thought they were an Earl's special.
Well, why have a glass when you can buy the bottle!
Venice is built of narrow alleys called "calle"
and if you don't have a map it will take you a few hours
to find your hotel. Seriously.
St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
The Piazza has always been seen as the centre of Venice
most popular place for photographers, tourists and pigeons
chasing the pigeons
not a big fan of the pigeons, but he was up for the chase
Saint Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
most famous of the city's churches
the best known examples of Byzantine architecture
the other side of the church
the church was known by the nickname
Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold)
The Piazza San Marco is the lowest point in Venice,
and as a result during the "high water" from storm surges from the
Adriatic, or even heavy rain, it is the first to flood.
Water pouring into the drains in the Piazza runs
directly into the Grand Canal.
This is ideal during heavy rain,
but during the storm it has the reverse effect,
with water from the canal surging up into the Square.
Today, no flood just a big market square full of art and souveniers.
typical masks worn during the carnival in Venice
Bella liked the blue one
having a snack at the pier
gondola rides through the city and up through the Grand Canal
here we go, family Becker on a gondola ride!
going down the Grand Canal towards the Rialto Bridge
our driver
A local legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love
if they kiss on a gondola under the bridge......
I wonder if that love is assured when a kid is on each lap?
making our way through the city canals
First, the city was everything and more that I pictured it to be
then my favorite drink was invented here, and last but not least
the kids both looked at the camera for
our picture on a gondola boat ride.
Is Venice heaven?
Daddy's number 1 fans will be there to cheer the Starbulls on!
