It doesn’t seem possible to me that the Spring Quarter is coming to an end and that this is my final blog on Italy.  Three months ago, I had little experience even reading blogs, much less writing one.  It’s been a great experience, but it hasn’t been enough time to truly cover the subject matter the way it deserves.  Despite the many cities and sites left to talk about, I will stick with my original plan and blog about Venice.

Venice is situated in north east Italy approximately 340 miles from Rome, on the south west, and about a 5 ½ hour cross country drive.  It is actually an island city…one of over 100 small islands that make up the Venetian lagoon.  (Murano, world renowned for its beautiful glass making, is also a part of this cluster of islands.)  And, while its difficult to pin-point exactly when Venice was built, popular opinion seems to mark the date around 425AD.

Trumped only by Paris (blogger’s opinion), Venice is undoubtedly the second most romantic city in the world.  Miles of watery streets beckon to the young, and young at heart, to cuddle closer aboard one of the many gondolas.   Imagine the gondolier pushing your boat, with ease and grace along the Grand Canal in the moonlight.  Heck, he’ll even sing for you….for a small fee, of course.

And, if the speed of the gondolas is too slow, you might consider moving about on a motorboat bus, called a vaporetti.  There’s also the cabled-operated mass transit tram, called the Venice People Mover (which was obviously named by a government employee with about as much imagination as a pork rind).

I’ve already mentioned the Grand Canal.  It is the major thoroughfare, running the entire length of Venice, and sports the beautiful Rialto Bridge, which is not to be missed….and, likely is too big to be missed anyway.  While there, other must see sites include the Bell Tower, the Clock Tower, the church at St. Mark’s Square (where Titian is buried), and the School of St. Roch, which was decorated inside by Tintoretto in 1564.

The cafes and restaurants of Venice are too numerous to mention, but if you can make a reservation, and if you want a table you must, check out Antico Martini.  It is definitely one of Italy’s finest restaurants.  And, take plenty of cash or thick plastic…it’s expensive.

Until the next quarter, I bid you a fond farewell.  Ciao!