The 2nd of June is celebrated in Italy as the beginning of the Republic of Italy. This only came about in 1946 after a national (actually the first ever vote by the people) who rejected the monarchy with the King…
This year Carnevale in Venezia just made me nostalgic for past years. The public statement from Venice officials was that the restoration work in Piazza San Marco prohibited the large stage, the various exhibits. And there were tons of people…
The weather has been hot (and humid) all week with Saturday’s high about 89+ F or 32 C. And the walk down Strada Nuova is like a walk in the desert. It cooled down a little before the fireworks at…
Traveling during COVID presents some weird interpretations of the rules. As I arrived in Venice, I realized my CartaVenezia (it is the boat pass for locals that allows me to buy monthly passes) has expired about 10 days earlier. This…
Venetians celebrated the end of the plague again on 21 November. This beautiful basilica (church) was founded in 1631 to commemorate the end of the plague that began in 1630 and which killed nearly 1/3 of the population. The Republic…
I am delighted to be back in Venice, a little work, a little enjoying my friends. But getting here was on the stressful side. So I will share what I learned if you are coming from outside the European Union.…
History does repeat itself, if there was ever a year for another celebration of the End of the Plague it would be 2021. And even under the threat of rain tonight, Venetians and now a larger number of tourist have…
The Basilica Santa Maria della Salute is undergoing a change. This exquisite chiesa (church) was built after the plague of 1630 which killed nearly a third of the population in the lagoon. The Doge Nicolò Contarini and the Venetian Senate…
As Venice goes into yet another lockdown, there are two views. Once is that Venetians have reclaimed their city. The canals are reflecting pools. The birds and fish are thriving. However, pleasant as this sounds, the flip side is that…
