Am happy to be back with my blog this week. I had to take a break to pack up the house and travel over a thousand miles back to our winter home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
This week Tina is asking us to think about a place we have visited which holds special memories, for example a small town, city, or country. She suggests we show pictures which help capture the spirit of this place so others can see and feel what we did. Not too long ago my husband and I spent a couple of days in Venice, Italy, and both of us instantly fell in love with the city. Venice has such an interesting history, it is filled with vibrant colors, great people plus a personality all its own. It is a city everyone wants to photograph, write about and return to!
“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” – Truman Capote, American novelist, screenwriter, playwright and actor.
Usually the first thing that comes to mind when Venice is mentioned are the many gondolas everywhere. We began our visit with an evening ride in the Grand Canal, one of the most important ‘streets’ in Venice. I took so many pictures touring the Canal that I decided to save the ones from St. Mark’s Square for another time.
“Venice, the most touristy place in the world, is still just completely magic to me.” – Frances Mayes, a university professor, poet and novelist. One of her most famous works is her book of memoirs called Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy, which inspired the beautiful biographical film: Under the Tuscan Sun.
Not too far into our tour we passed by Da Raffaele Ristorante which is well known for its traditional Venetian cuisine and beautiful ambiance.
Along the pier beside St. Mark’s Square, groups of gondolas could be seen tied up for the night. What really caught my eye in this image was the color of the sky and lamp post against the setting sun.
“When I seek another word for ‘music’, I never find any other word than ‘Venice’.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Numerous gondolas had professional musicians on board, serenading passengers in the early evening.
“It’s so easy for me to get caught up in the feeling of a city like Venice, where everything is just beautiful color and gorgeous buildings that are so peaceful. You can roam around and get lost in the labyrinth.” – Nanette Lepore
Another group of elaborate Gondolas n Canale di San Marco with a view of Venice in the background.
In addition to all the amazing sights, there are also old buildings along the canal in varies states of decay. Am guessing this was once a beautiful home which is so sad looking now. It maybe still be occupied; looking closely through the large windows on the second level, heavy gold draperies can still be seen along with a gorgeous glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Large plant containers remain on the dock by the entrance although their lovely flowers are long gone. I can only imagine how stately the outside must have looked at one time although even in ruins, its former beauty is still obvious.
Circling back, this is one of the many lovely bridges which cross over the canal.
“I will never forget experiencing Venice for the first time. It feels like you are transported to another time – the art, music, food and pure romance in the air is like no other place.” – Elizabeth Berkley, Actress