---

From the palace to the man

Another city that I often visited in the spring is Venice.

Venice is an amazing place. The cultural and emotional shock of the first visit has not yet passed, although more than 15 years have passed since then.

A city on the water with its own characteristics and traditions, with its history and secrets is a real artifact that needs to be preserved and preserved.

I have been to Venice in different weather and cannot say that if it is rainy and gloomy in Venice, then there is nothing to do. Not at all! In such weather, Venice can appear in front of the viewer in a special way, more immersed in the depths of centuries. On the other hand, a large number of lights decorate the city and being reflected from the endless expanses of water in the channels do not allow darkness to completely take the city.

But I got to Venice and in sunny May weather. When the sun is baking and you want to find a shadow to take a break from this sunny paradise.

First, the city forces you to look only at its largest and brightest objects. For example, the Grand Canal or St. Mark's Cathedral, or Doge's Palace ...

All these objects are magnificent and have a lot of details, nuances, little things, and it’s hard for you to perceive anything else but the main thing.

Then you calm down a bit and start looking at other objects. Somewhere an interesting house, somewhere a window and drying clothes, somewhere a beautiful doorknob.

And only then you begin to look at people.

And people in Venice are also very interesting.

For example, just tourists. They are careless. They take pictures, eat on the streets, stare around. They came here from all over the world. From China, Japan, America, from Russia. They are interested in everything as well as me. But there are also special people. Some live in Venice. Some work.

By the way, I talked with people who live in the island of Venice itself. It is a very difficult and difficult life. Everything has to be done without the use of mechanisms. To raise the cast-iron bathtub to the second floor, you need to bring it to the house by boat, unload it on your hands and manually lift it to the floor.

All this makes the labor of ordinary workers very expensive. The mechanisms in Venice are very difficult to use.

In addition, everything is very expensive. Products, household chemicals, everything you need for everyday life - all this needs to be delivered by water and this increases prices. Water itself spoils life very much. Eternal dampness spoils walls, furniture. Living in such a city is very difficult. The state pays residents large benefits that people would live in the city and support it in a working, working condition.

Of course, Venice not only takes money, but also brings. A huge number of tourists creates a large influx of funds for local business engaged in tourism.

But I will not talk about sad things.

Venice will forever remain a place of admiration for me. The very idea - to hide from enemies on the islands, to hide from adversity with the help of the sea separating the city and the mainland - is brilliant.

Despite the fact that Venice as a city-state has truly gained royal influence on the seas throughout the Mediterranean Sea and even a little along the Black Sea.

I want to show even more photos of spring Venice, but for some reason, I can upload only about 20-25 photos.

I hope you enjoy them and I will do another post about Venice.

---

---

Image galleries are not supported by your current frontend. View this post on TravelFeed.io for the full experience.

source

A city for admiration

  From the palace to the man Another city that I often visited in the spring is Venice. Venice is an amazing place. The cultural a...

A city for admiration

0

The Basilica of San Marco (St Marks) in Milan is one of the many churches in Europe that double as concert venues due to their impressive acoustics and declining congregation numbers. So, it was concert duties that found me visiting and working in this wealthy northern area of Italy.

The Basilica dates originally from around the 14th century, however, this front section (facade) dates from much later (late 19th century) and showcases a completely different construction and architectural aesthetic than the original Gothic style.

The church is located just outside of the inner ring of Milan, and so it is a bit a short walk (or public transport ride) from where most of the tourist (and shopping) attractions are located.

The interior is a clearer depiction of the original Gothic style, with high columns and arches. The depth of the church is not really apparent from the outer facade, but the church is incredibly long (as you can see from the photo above). Unfortunately, due to the windows being located quite high up, the lighting in the church is pretty dark (especially in the winter-time which is when I was here!).

The high arched dome roof was home to some impressive painting and decorations. I would find myself in the rehearsal craning my head upwards to see as much detail as possible!

The front of the church between the congregation pews and the altar area was converted this evening into a stage for the orchestra and choir which I was working with.... complete with the lighting and recording equipment that was needed for the performance and broadcast.

Coming closer to the front of the church reveals the ornate altar which is quite common in most Catholic churches. Catholic places of worship tend to be much more ornate than their Protestant cousins, an offshoot of the differing ideals of the Reformation versus the Vatican.

Despite the fact that most Catholic churches tend to be packed with ornate signs of wealth and artifacts, some of them can be quite questionable in taste. One such strange display was this depiction of the baby Jesus (?)... on an ornately decorated weigh scale? It's a bit freaky looking... and definitely historically inaccurate in so many ways!

I prefer the various Baroque artworks that adorned the walls... that sort of "treasure" are pieces of art that really speak to me in a more intimate way than the strange artifacts that are treasured by other people. That said, these pieces would benefit from being displayed in a better way with more direct lighting. The dark lighting of the church made them look quite dull...

The exit to the church is much more impressive looking and tastefully decorated than the Romantic era entrance facade... the difference in styles is a testament to the (unintentially) destructive intentions of the Romantic age, where so many buildings, sites, artworks and instruments were "restored" and "improved" in a way that completely overwrote or destroyed their original aesthetics and design.

source

San Marco Basilica (Milan, ITALY)

The Basilica of San Marco (St Marks) in Milan is one of the many churches in Europe that double as concert venues due to their impressive ...

San Marco Basilica (Milan, ITALY)

0

Hello photo lovers!

From the water we get a new perspective of a dream city. A city that for centuries has remained elegant and serenely on the waters of the Adriatic, on a privileged lagoon that now many people visit admiring that unique beauty that lasts.

Large and small ships, boats and motorboats, constantly cross its waters, maritime traffic replaces land traffic, in this majestic and special Italian city. And from there we see and photograph the beautiful Venezia. This is Venice, Italy.

We cross the waters through the Giudecca canal to face the city, its history, its architecture and its magnificence. The contrast with the blue of the sea, and with the blue of the sky makes that constructed line seem even more wonderful. As if it were a mirage, but Venice is real and full of splendor.

Its docks and its buildings are real, and some rival and stand out more for their structure, materials, design and elegance. Like the Church of Santa María del Rosario, where shortly after we will make a stop, and from there we will see the brightness of the sea that embellishes all this spectacular environment. There is nothing like it.

We continue sailing enjoying the aquatic profile of the marvelous city, a skyline that is like no other, where the weight of history has not sunk those precious façades to the bottom of the sea. Static, beautiful and alive, Venezia stands there in front of our eyes and of the camera.

We can distinguish in all that classical architectural profile, other relevant buildings like my favorite church Santa Maria della Salute, white, big and imposing at the end of the Grand Canal. Wonderful view.

And very close we come to the unforgettable heart, and the focus of our camera widens, also our pupils, our heart beats to the rhythm of the soft waves as we approach the famous bell tower of San Marco Square, il Campanile and next to it that beautiful Renaissance palace, the Ducal Palace, regal, elegant, immortal white stone that brights like a white pearl on the sea.

Further on our view goes, we can enjoy each relief, silhouette and element of that dreamlike horizontal line, full of architecture and history, and there another dome and another delicious façade, the church of the Redeemer on the other side.

The sunlight, the calm waters make the trip something indescribable, everything is beautiful, bright and magical. Venice is ethereal beauty, delicate but resistant that endures over time and over the sea that rocks it.

And the dream is coming to an end, it is getting dark, and everything seems to fade, as if reality were diluted in those privileged waters, as if the mirage disappeared, as if the lights were blurred. We have to go... and the dream is over or too much Prosecco?

An unforgettable experience surrounded by a vibrant blue frame, from which we remember the unique moment, the special sensation, the wonderful view, of a place that has no rival. A harmonious concentration of elegant constructions that maintain their life and their history erected in waters that, despite everything, respect all that romantic and serene beauty. Venezia "la serenissima", Venice is the most serene.

On a small boat we toast and navigate through water that has taken us to one of the most incredible cities that we can see. Everything has been real, a real and very beautiful dream.

source

The beautiful Venice from the boat

Hello photo lovers! From the water we get a new perspective of a dream city . A city that for centuries has remained elegant and serenely ...

The beautiful Venice from the boat

0

First of all this being my first post this year I wish you all a Happy New Year, good health and peace in the world so you can enjoy life to the fullest and also ride your bike to new destinations using EuroVelo, the world’s largest cycle route network! In this post I'll try to give you some inspiration from my last trip I did in Italy back in the autumn of 2022 following the EuroVelo 7 north of Peschiera del Garda towards the Alps.

Woke up early this morning as I usually like to do when I'm on the road to fully enjoy my limited days of bike touring I have available this year, from dawn till dusk.

And I'm not aloneThe iconic Fiat 500 always in trendThese vanilla/pistachio cream filled croissants were amazing

Calories are not a problem while touring, for sure I'll burn more cycling uphill all day today, so I spoil myself when I have the chance by indulging in a second croissant.

My summer residence in Peschierra del Garda for about 11 EURO/night

While preparing for checking out I noticed my bike was looking a bit sad this morning :) Luckily I came prepared for situations like this which are perfectly normal for a long distance cyclist.

Houston we have a problem!My lucky red patch did the job with styleClean facilities are always nice to see in a campingThey even have a washing machine so no excuse to stink while touring

Eurocamping Pacengo was a nice camping to spend a night in, great location near the lake with a good restaurant facing the little port, clean facilities, decent prices and a friendly receptionist which even borrowed me a cable extension to charge my devices overnight, all added to a very nice overall experience for me here.

Arrivederci Eurocamping!

Left the camping and followed the pedestrian route close to the lake mostly because I was curious to see more of this beautiful lake front, but the official bike route follows the paved roads a bit further away.

The suspended pedestrian walkway passes directly over this nice marina Slowed down to admire some really cool boats on display todayThumbs up for EuroVelo 7 in ItalyPeace in 2024!This beach looks perfect for a swim break don't you think?And for a refreshing drink on a hot day like thisCan't get enough of this view

Spend about an hour on this nice sandy beach by the lake Garda which felt like I was somewhere by the seaside only the water was not salty which is even better, right?

Ok, now I think it's time to continue our route towards those gorgeous mountains I see far away in the distance.

Well-tended vineyardsLunch time

Really nice to ride through all these vineyardsThis canal feeds from Adige River upstream and runs in paralel with itCruising along the beautiful Adige Valley on a weather like this is such a joyExcellent infrastructurePassing through small villages like this along the wayBeautiful valley indeedEntering the autonomous province of Trento

Trentino, is an autonomous province of Italy in the country's far north. Trentino and South Tyrol constitute the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, an autonomous region under the constitution. The province covers an area of more than 6,000 km2 (2,300 sq mi), with a total population of 541,098 in 2019. Trentino is renowned for its mountains, such as the Dolomites, which are part of the Alps.

Agriculture plays an important role in the local economy here and all these vineyards right and left are well known for their quality of grapes. Trento DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) is an appellation for white and rosésparkling wine made in Trentino, Italy. Trentinos developed this appellation, the second in the world after Champagne, to ensure quality and distinction. Only Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier with Pinot blanc are permitted, and they must be grown in a well-defined area within the Province of Trento. I should taste a glass later to confirm.

But tourism remains the main economic activity here and I am a happy contributor

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 20.5 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 1.2% of Italy's economic output. Don't regret a cent spent in Trentino so far :).

All these grapes need a lot of water to grow and this must be itHydro infrastructure made for irrigation? I think so.Good water, good wineLove this route!Adige natural river bedPassing by RoveretoNo 3925821784 happily transiting RoveretoIt's getting late but I should arrive soon to my destination in Calliano

Today was one of those perfect days for bike tourism considering the weather, scenery and infrastructure that made me fall in love with bike touring on EuroVelo years ago and still recall me back every year to this day.

Pizza and a glass of local wine for dinner. Cheers!

Arrived in Calliano by night time which is a bit too late indeed but I found a really nice place to spend the night, in an agritourism guesthouse owned by a local wine producer, but that's another topic for another day coming up soon in the next post.

Day 2 map: Peschiera del Garda to Calliano 83 km

fonte

EuroVelo 7 - Peschiera del Garda to Calliano 83 km

First of all this being my first post this year I wish you all a Happy New Year, good health and peace in the world so you can enjoy life to...

EuroVelo 7 - Peschiera del Garda to Calliano 83 km

0