Venice, Florence and Rome

November 2014

  • Grand Canal of Venice
    Grand Canal of Venice
  • Bridge of Sighs in Venice. It is the bridge between Doges Palace, where people would be convicted of a crime, and the prison. As prisoners passed from the palace to the prison, they would look out the windows and sigh.
    Bridge of Sighs in Venice. It is the bridge between Doges Palace, where people would be convicted of a crime, and the prison. As prisoners passed from the palace to the prison, they would look out the windows and sigh.
  • Prisoners' view from inside the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
    Prisoners’ view from inside the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
  • Prisoner graffiti inside the prison, Venice.
    Prisoner graffiti inside the prison, Venice.
  • San Marco Plaza, Venice
    San Marco Plaza, Venice
  • The Mouth of Secret Accusations at Doges Palace in Venice. People could anonymously submit accusations against anyone. It translates roughly as: "Secret denunciations against those who hide favors and offices or collude to hide the true income of them."
    The Mouth of Secret Accusations at Doges Palace in Venice. People could anonymously submit accusations against anyone. It translates roughly as: “Secret denunciations against those who hide favors and offices or collude to hide the true income of them.”
  • Pictures of teh Doges line the wall of the biggest room in the palace. This particular Doge's face was blacked out because, according to our tour guide, "he was a naughty doge. In order to ensure he had the most power of anyone, he set about trying to kill absolutely everyone." Apparently he made some progress before they stopped him. Naughty indeed.
    Pictures of teh Doges line the wall of the biggest room in the palace. This particular Doge’s face was blacked out because, according to our tour guide, “he was a naughty doge. In order to ensure he had the most power of anyone, he set about trying to kill absolutely everyone.” Apparently he made some progress before they stopped him. Naughty indeed.
  • Acqua Alta, high waters. They have a workaround project for these regular floods, but it has been delayed (in work since 2003) by budget constraints and complexity of the project (MOSE). However, our tour guide says the delays are mostly because of corruption by the government and contractors.
    Acqua Alta, high waters. They have a workaround project for these regular floods, but it has been delayed (in work since 2003) by budget constraints and complexity of the project (MOSE). However, our tour guide says the delays are mostly because of corruption by the government and contractors.
  • Working gondolas. Locals use them like buses for commuting. Venice.
    Working gondolas. Locals use them like buses for commuting. Venice.
  • Grand Canal, Venice
    Grand Canal, Venice
  • Café Pedrocchi in Padua. According to our tour guide, the oldest coffee house in ... the world? For more than a century it was open 24/7, giving a place for students to meet and study in warmth without being asked to purchase anything - in the Green Room. In Italian, being green means being broke. In the White Room, you can purchase coffee but no food, and in the Red Room you can purchase both food and coffee.
    Café Pedrocchi in Padua. According to our tour guide, the oldest coffee house in … the world? For more than a century it was open 24/7, giving a place for students to meet and study in warmth without being asked to purchase anything – in the Green Room. In Italian, being green means being broke. In the White Room, you can purchase coffee but no food, and in the Red Room you can purchase both food and coffee.
  • The Red Room in Café Pedrocchi, Padua
    The Red Room in Café Pedrocchi, Padua
  • Open air market, every day in Padua
    Open air market, every day in Padua
  • Padua - university town, old coffee shop, nice hats.
    Padua – university town, old coffee shop, nice hats.
  • Michelangelo's David, in Florence
    Michelangelo’s David, in Florence
  • It is so uncrowded in mid-November, it was great!
    It is so uncrowded in mid-November, it was great!
  • Duomo, Florence
    Duomo, Florence
  • Hotel Montebello Splendid in Florence. Very pretty , although my room was very small.
    Hotel Montebello Splendid in Florence. Very pretty , although my room was very small.
  • This wonderful, spacious walkway is what I remember most about Lucca. Lots of adults, kids, babies in strollers, dogs, bicycles, all enjoying a little sunshine.
    This wonderful, spacious walkway is what I remember most about Lucca. Lots of adults, kids, babies in strollers, dogs, bicycles, all enjoying a little sunshine.
  • This is on the side of the walkway. Lucca
    This is on the side of the walkway. Lucca
  • Italian garden, Lucca
    Italian garden, Lucca
  • The main piazza is a giant oval. Lucca.
    The main piazza is a giant oval. Lucca.
  • Lucca is Puccini's hometown. Puccini lived like a rock star - had nice houses, boats, cars, one of the first people in Italy to have a telephone. His childhood home is the middle building.
    Lucca is Puccini’s hometown. Puccini lived like a rock star – had nice houses, boats, cars, one of the first people in Italy to have a telephone. His childhood home is the middle building.