Venice

My expectations were varied going into Venice but by the time we left I know I am a Venice fan.  Built on a lagoon 1500 years ago Venice is a wonderland of history. With 400 bridges and 2000 alleys it is a walkers paradise.  As Venice is on an island with so many small bridges there are no cars and bicycles are not allowed one can wander at leisure.  Today Venice is home to 58,000 people which is about half of how many lived here just 30 years ago.  Hospitals have closed and many churches now serve different purposes such as museums or concert halls.  We stayed in the academia district which is a little quieter than some areas but every where is in short walking distance.  

We arrived in Venice on a boat trip down the Grand Canal. Good opportunity to see the hustle and bustle of boats of all kinds on the Venice "roadways".  Taxis, police and fire are all boats and are interspersed with ferries which are Venitian buses and of course the ever popular gondolas.

After exploring some on our own we went on a short orientation tour. Easy city to get lost in but eventually one circles around to where you might want to go. After a delicious meal we went on an evening gondola ride. Always thought this to.be a little cheesy but travelling the canals and sailing under picturesque bridges while being serenaded was a wonderful experience.