The glory, the Venice

When I go to two places, before slipping my selection Mortal Coil, the top of my list would be in Venice, Italy to second place. I apologize to the fans of Florence.

Venice is unique and for all points of law. Canals, gondolas, majestic palaces and churches, galleries chock full of works of art, festival, good food and wine, the list is endless.

This is not a guide, but my personal reflections. But before the jet --Wonderfully evocative Marco Polo, buy a guidebook and bones on the essentials. Then he put on one side, Venice and discover for yourself, go to your instincts and sense of adventure.

The journey from the airport to set the scene. One minute and swamps and lakes, so the horizon in sight before the city, and is nothing short of spectacular. Which dominates the skyline is the tower, the newer building, which by far in Venice as a place ofone with the same name, which collapsed in 1902. It stands on the edge of Piazza San Marco, where the journey really begins.

Venice is not for the budget conscious. The hotels are expensive, like good restaurants, so if you're after a burger or a big bucket of KFC, forget it.

Italian cuisine is the best in the world. Do not forget to enjoy endless coated with France and parts of horse meat in a sauce of thick, Italian cooking, not eating. It's all about La Dolce Vita, aculinary adventure, live each day to the maximum. And 'the sun on your back and a song in your heart. And the wines, particularly Barolo and Amarone, are great.

As I said, hotels, or at least the most famous, are expensive. Leading the pack is the Hotel Cipriani, overpriced and there, because on an island on a boat ride fifteen minutes or even locked away forever. And the bill in cash alone is enough to give you a cardiac arrest.

HotelsDanielli is in a better position. At least it is in town, but ultimately wrong, and not to talk about the environment. My all time favorite is the Hotel Gritti Palace Hotel, right on the Grand Canal, expensive, yes, but for all the points of law. The service is impeccable, and my wife and I had the best ever lunch on the veranda, as the great and the good to be shadowed. The ubiquitous George Clooney, of course, like a flag waving in a Force 9 gale, and Rod Stewart, waived serenade us with infinite"I am sailing", the man of yesterday's lot. But a word to the wise! Not waving, or before they know it, you harass your autograph!

Off the gloss, if you want good, authentic Italian cuisine at reasonable prices, follow the Venetians at their favorite watering hole. There are many bars and restaurants off the beaten track where good food simple, with a wine very drinkable table down. Do not ask recommend to the reception of your hotel, agood restaurant, as he sends all over the possession of his brother-in-law and put the Commission. More confidence in your spirit of adventure.

At the linguistically challenged, the question is about "ethnic" restaurants, which in English is limited, so if you go, discreetly, to see what the locals eat, how you understand a single word on the menu, if there is one, and when the waiter comes to take your order, it suffices to show on a nearby table and say, "That". Thatbe done, along with the "house wine, do not forget to wave your arms around the same time. Then sit back and wait for a surprise.

As with other water bodies, where one has to be seen, Bar Florian in Piazza San Marco in American labor for a coffee with a dash of hot milk. Sit and watch the world go by, but avoid eye contact with George Clooney [see above]. Harry's Bar on the Lido, is next on the list, especially if you're a fan of Ernest Hemingway, but what he said:That's it! E 'extraordinarily common, such as food, and full of tourists, so that a glass of "Hemingway Special" and get the hell out of there! There are better ways to spend your money. And do not forget to take a gondola ride, a wonderfully relaxing way to see the city from a different angle.

If Venice is one of the cradles of Renaissance culture, you want to see the monuments. Top list all, at least in the land of the rising sun, stands the Basilica di San Marco,dominates the square. My advice - forget it! This is a magnificent building from the outside, but inside is disappointing, very dark and gloomy, the air is heavy with the smell of stale incense. It is said to be the bones of St. Mark to the house, sharing the same statement of fame with several hundred other holy sites, said Mark must have been a giant among men, if I explain. Much better to make the path next to the Palazzo Ducale to the experience of a lifetime. Are particularlyopen-mouthed and transfixed in front of paintings by Tintoretto's "Paradise", one of the greatest paintings of Christianity, and let the rough your tears on her cheeks. For me it is one of the seven wonders of the world.

And finally, no trip to Venice is complete without a visit to the Gallerie dell'Accademia. Among the many treasures that houses Leonardo da Vinci "Vitruvianus Homo. I say more? Imagine the surprised look on a drawing of the greatest artists of all timecompleted in 1490, when he tried to explain the theory of Vitruvius, Roman architect, that the proportional relationship of the human body correspond to those used for the construction of geometric shapes. It is probably one of the most reproduced pictures of all time, and you're there to see the original! Something to say, the grandchildren.

Enjoy your trip and return, again and again. With the obvious exception of George Clooney, there's always something new to see, newTo climb mountains, and to discover new horizons. Better yet, see Venice and die! E 'passport to paradise!