Blogs from Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe - page 128

Continued from last entry... After Austria we went to Venice, Italy which was absolutely amazing. I walked around and saw some really cool buildings and shopped. We went to a glass blowing demonstrationn and that was really cool. I bought a blown glass gondola that Ben at first thought was a gravy boat and then an ash tray which kind of deterred me from buying it but I did anyways. They had these really cool cut cyrstal necklaces that changed colour depending on the background. We were mad after because everything was more than half price elsewhere. We caught onto the Contiki demonstrations. We went on a gondola ride and it was beautiful! They gave us bellini wine stuff but I couldn't drink it, I was still feeling sick from Austria. Our gondalier was really strange ... read more

We left Budapest just in time. Riots broke out in the city shortly after our departure. But, 16 hours later, crossing through Croatia and Slovenia at night and dealing with the worst conductor known to man, we arrived in paradise. The Floating City. A magical place. A city that is literally sinking. A city with no cars. A city comprised of 117 tiny islands. Over 400 canals and 500 bridges. It's like an elaborate labrynth. Just when you think you have found your way you are pulling out the map again. But if it weren't for its hundreds of alleyways it just wouldn't be the same. We were in the amazing Venice. The best part, I think, of every arrival into a new city or town is the first glimpse--and this one will be with me ... read more

Day 5 - Munich to Austria to Venice A big trip today so we had an early start. Pretty much everyone looked worse for wear, some more then others - Gunter!! Most people slept on the way to Austria which is a shame as the views were amazing as we passed Austria's Western Alps. We reached Innsbruck in the Austrian Tyrol about 11ish and went for a wander through the city centre. It was yet another gorgeous day with no clouds and the scenery was spectacular. We saw the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) with its gold-plated tiles, which was built around 1500 in honor of the second marriage of Maximilian I, the Holy Emperor. We also checked out the Court Church and the Hofburg Palace and I climbed up the Stadtturm (City Tower) for an even ... read more

After 8 long hours on the train, we arrived in Venice! I completely forgot about the horrible train ride as soon as I stepped out of the train station.. it was so magical, the water, old buildings, water taxis .... everything was so beautiful!! I remember Tu and I jumping up and down at St Marks square not believing we were actually there, ooohing and aaahing at pretty much everything we saw... I had this unforgettable moment at St Marks square on our 3rd night there... it had been raining all day, the street was wet, the square was dark with little lights reflecting from the remaining rain water, Tu & I were strolling around (like old lesbian lovers) and there I was listening to the "Godfather" theme song played by Italian performers.... in Venice.. that's ... read more

Geo: 45.2723, 12.3087Venice was a really nice city. very busy. the thing im finding with italy, is i love the country, but dislike the nature of it all, and demeanor of the population (without being rude, but thats the way it is) hectic, rude, and busy. push push shove shove. i loved st marks cathedral, and the canals. a gondola ride was in order too with a couple bottles of wine. also went to the peggy gugenheim museum, due to the academia museum being mysteriously closed.... read more