When you get off the train at Venice (Venezia in Italian), you step into a completely different world. To begin with, there are no cars, not even any motorcycles; only motorboats plying the numerous large and small canals. What’s more, the entire city (at least four square miles) consists of 600-year-old buildings built near the end of the medieval era, just before the Renaissance. Other European cities such as Paris get teary-eyed with a few authentic medieval structures; Venice has little else. And the buildings are gorgeous — one sumptuous palace and cathedral after another. Too bad Venice is slowly sinking.
Venice’s Grand Canal, taken from our boat-bus.
St. Mark’s Square. Sadly, the Swiss Bank where James Bond’s girlfriend withdrew her money isn’t really here. DARN.
One of the many unique charms of Venice are the multiple dueling teams of musicians that entertain visitors on St. Mark’s Square in the evening. This group was playing excerpts from Phantom of the Opera.
Rialto Bridge, one of the most-photographed bridges in the world.
The interior of one of numerous concert halls. Mom and I attended a concert of opera excerpts here.
This is a glass-blowing shop on Burano Island, noted for its world-famous glassworks.
So sad — at numerous spots in Venice (this one is St. Mark’s Square), raised platforms are kept handy to help visitors keep their feet dry when water levels rise.
One of the many narrow passageways in Venice.
Milan’s cathedral — a stunning structure loaded with over over 100 sculptures.
We couldn’t resist hiking to the roof of Milan’s cathedral (with some help from an elevator). You really have to see this in person to appreciate all the intricate sculpture.