Our ship arrived in Venice in the early afternoon and I had purchased a ship run shore excursion to the Murano Glass Factory and a touristy gondola ride. It was my birthday…so I treated myself!
Our Gondolier was a handsome man and friendly! Gondolas are hand-made using 8 different types of wood (fir, oak, cherry, walnut, elm, mahogany, larch and lime) and are composed of 280 pieces. The Gondolier profession has been a male dominated one until just recently in 2009, when the first female gondolier began working!
Venice was exactly as I pictured it…although we didn’t have much time to explore the outer reaches. We were told by our tour guide that many Venetians have moved from Venice because of the increased cost of living due to the influx of tourists!
I chose a restaurant along the main canal to have dinner (the photo below shows the view from our table) and we were about ready to leave when my traveling companion slipped to the waiter that it was my birthday. He said, “Don’t go anywhere…stay there…I’ll be right back!”
A few minutes later he burst out of the restaurant with a few other waiters and began singing Happy Birthday…loudly…carrying a dish of Tiramisu and two small glasses of Limoncello. I thanked them profusely and we savored the treats! I really enjoy the desserts in Europe. They don’t seem as sweet as desserts in America!
As dusk is coming…a subtle change seems to move through the air.
They look quite relaxed and handsome!
Our ship stayed docked overnight…so we returned in the evening. The following day was the only off-weather day during our entire three weeks in Europe and if you can believe it…I decided to stay on board! Although Venice was beautiful and charming…I don’t know that I would return…there are too many other places on my list!
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Venice looks like such a lovely place! All those cute houses! Loving your pictures
Venice was quite touristy. It’s not authentic the way it used to be…because costs of living there have gotten too high for the locals to live there any longer. But it is still beautiful! Thanks very much!
I just spent my birthday in Venice as well!!!! It was the best gift I ever could have gotten!
Life is grand!! Even when it’s not as grand…it’s precious!
You’ve made my Venice craving more worse!!
Especially that picture with the gondola and the balcony with red flowers on the background! Truly charming!!! 
That’s my favorite also…thanks! I do love the way the Gondolier is pushing off with his foot.
It feels like you have been able to capture the essence of Venice. And I like that you experiment with tilted horizons in your pictures. Creates quite different pictures. Must have been a great trip. I have never tried going by gondola. Your pictures makes me want to do it next time.
Thanks Otto! I liked the tilted one too!
I don`t know why, but it`s difficult to picture a woman gondoliere!! I`ve visited very beautiful places but I always think that the world is wide and there are so many beautiful places to see that I cannot come back to the same city or town or location.
I feel the same way Ellen…once I’ve been…it’s on to a new place!
I know what you mean about the way the deserts taste different in Europe, I think we probably use more basic and less refined ingredients than many American chefs do. Either that or less sugar!
You would think that we could learn something from the European bakers!
Been there twice and love it! But when it comes to Italy, my favorite was the Amalfi Coast…oh and Pompeii…and Rome…and Florence. Forget it, ITALY ROCKS!
I know…Venice was one of my least favorites…too touristy! But LOVE Italy!
Looks fabulous! Even though I have heard that Vernice is very touristy, I have always had a little fantasy about riding in a gondola with someone special – seeing your lovely photos helps me keep the dream alive:)
Ahh…that’s sweet!
Did he sing for you?
No. Probably because I was with another woman…not quite the romantic duo!
Hihi.
Although, I was with friends. We actually asked him to sing for us. I guess approaching him is the key. Still, Gondola ride in Venice is something to cross off the list with or without the tune.
They say the waterways are actually untreated sewage outlets to the sea. Is that true?
Carl…I remember there was an odor there. I tried to research it online and didn’t find anything definitive. Good question!
Just there September past – a city in a class all it’s own, there’s really no place like Venice.
It was very unique!
Not the best place to go for a hike, but for a one time trip, it would be something different. Nice photos, as always.
I wouldn’t want to live there—too many tourists.
Beautiful. So there really seems to be many canals, was thinking there was just a main and one other. Never been there, been to Vegas Venice(rode in a gondola). Lovin your trip!
Yes…there are tons of water ways!
Thanks for this trip, even in pictures.
Venice, 1987, my first Italian pizza. Yum.
That’s the year my son was born!
Mario?
Born on New Year’s Eve…Justin…”Just-in” time for the tax write-off.
You’ve done a great job of capturing Venice. It’s a great place to try to get lost because you can’t. I associate walking the streets and going around the corner to opening an a present. Well done!
Thanks Frank!
Wonderful beautiful amazing Venice! Your pictures are beautiful and I love the information about the gondoliers. Guiding those boats must be a great workout, they all look so trim!
Thanks Elisa…they are trim!
Venice…one of the most romantic places in world
great pics and great that you get so many opportunities to travel and see places
I know…I feel very blessed…but I also am making up for lost time. For years I went to the same place every year because we had a free place to stay…Myrtle Beach and took my son and a friend for him.
hmm true
it’s better late than never kind of thing
keep travelling and posting
Hi,
It certainly looks like a magical place, so very different from any other, I would love to go to Venice and experience the wonders.
Lovely photos.
Thanks Margaret…hope you get to go once!
You have to visit Venice during the Carnival period. The costumes and atmosphere is one of a kind
http://bollychees.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/masking-around-in-venice/
Speaking of that…my next post if about Bal Masque!
Gorgeous photos! Venice is so cool and unique. Was there with my parents in 1975.
I bet it was even more romantic back then!
wonderful pictures!
Thanks…have a lovely day!!
The photos remind me of a hindi song ‘Do lafzon ki’ shot in Venice. It also has the gondolier singing in Italian ‘amore mia….’
The place looks so romantic.
Women love romance!!
beautiful photos esp the first one.
Thank you!!