Venezia (Venice)

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Venice is built on over one hundred small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals. Transportation within the city remains, as it was in centuries past, entirely on water or on foot (Venice is Europe's largest urban carfree area.) Although the city appears small, it is really quite extensive for its size.

While most tour guides don't recommend getting lost in major cities (especially in Italy) Venice is the place to go meandering through and get hopelessly lost for a day. The 'real' Venice is the perfect place to walk for hours on end and can only be found by taking the mysterious alleyways leading to an endless maze of backstreets and deserted squares.

Carnevale is Venice's answer to Mardi Gras. For eight days before Lent each winter, tourists flood the city for pageants, concerts, balls, and masked self-display until Shrove Tuesday signals an end to the party. The term "carnevale" comes from the Latin for "farewell to meat" which suggests a good-bye party for the steaks and stews that are traditionally given up during the weeks of fasting before Easter. The masquerade aspect of Carnival is even older: the Romans celebrated winter with a fertility festival where masks were worn by citizens and slaves alike. This was the one time a year that the poor and rich could socialize as equals. Along with carnevale masks, gondolas and canals; mouth blown glass is one of the beloved trademarks of Venice. "Venetian" glass, is made on the nearby island of Murano and is found on every corner and alleyway in Venice. It is extremely beautiful and fragile (I should know - I broke something) and expensive (they did not make me pay for it!)

Over the last 1,000 years, Venice has sunk by around seven centimeters for every century, but recent reports have stated that in the last century alone, the city of Venice has lowered by around 24 centimeters. This may have more to do with global warming and the melting polar ice caps than with Venice sinking into its own foundations. There are many scientists and engineers working rigorously to come up with a viable solution to keep Venice afloat. Research is being conducted and measures are being taken by the Venezian government to ensure that Venice is around for hundreds of years to come.

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Photos

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
(Being cleaned)

Around Venice 2
Me and my gondolier

Around Venice 3
Yes, there is even a speed limit!

Venice glass and masks
Venezians are specially famous for their mask making and glass blowing skills

Comments

[CHERYL]

Looking beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!