Hi everyone

In today's post I want to tell you a little about what I did yesterday, because I also had the opportunity to visit a beautiful city called Padua and which is practically in the Veneto region, I went by train with my niece whom I accompanied because she had to take an important exam for the university, and she has practically been enrolled at the University of Padua for some years.

I confess that I have been to Padua several times, because A few years ago I practically had a half-girlfriend, with whom I frequented, and therefore every now and then I also like to go back to maybe meet some old friends, certainly the part I like more than Padua is Prato della Valle which you can practically see in the photo and it is where the market practically takes place, in fact while I was waiting for my niece to conclude this exam I took a tour inside this market.

Think of yourself that besides being a city rich in history and culture Padua is famous all over the world for its ancient university which was founded in 1222 and is today one of the most prestigious not only in Italy but also in Europe. that's why in fact my niece who is practically studying medicine chose to come to Padua from Milan to study.

Then Padua has a great religious importance having been the home of Sant'Antonio one of the saints certainly most revered by the church and famous throughout the world especially in South America, in fact here is the famous Basilica of Sant'Antonio which contains the relics of the Santo and it is certainly one of the main tourist attractions of the city that you absolutely must not miss if you come to Padua.

When my niece finished taking the exam we walked around the streets of Padua, and we had an aperitif at the famous Pedrotti café but in any case there are many museums and places to visit in Padua because it is famous for its great artistic heritage and architectural and is also famous for the botanical gardens which are a Unesco world heritage site. a Padua by night that I had only seen on very few occasions, and I must say that it is a city full of life because there were a lot of people even in the evening.

I hope you enjoyed this post of mine and I hope you also enjoyed the photos I took yesterday, I didn't take many but I hope you enjoyed the few I took, see you soon See you next time

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I'm going to Padua to take my niece to an exam

Hi everyone In today's post I want to tell you a little about what I did yesterday, because I also had the opportunity to visit a be...

I'm going to Padua to take my niece to an exam

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In the morning I went to Venice! Magnificient Venice, the city I heared a lot information about, but never had been here before. Only 27 km left.

The road passed few villages, towns and industrial suburb Mestre.

The weather had turned bad, but the rain started only when I reached Roman Square (Piazzale Roma). It is a Venice train station, and the last place in this city, accessible by bicycle.

Suprisingly, Venice is bike-unfriendly - cycling is prohibited. Well, it's easy to understand why - there is not enough space even for pedestrians in city center. But there are many water means of transport - vaporetto trams, private boats and gondolas for tourists.

There is bike parking near the train station, not guarded, though with a CCTV camera on the ceiling. Clasped my bike with two ropes and went for a walk.

It started to rain. I was trying to wait, hiding in the arch, until it stops, but then realized its impossible - all day long this shitty weather.

Wearing poncho raincoat, explored a lot of places. Basilika San Marco, of course. The entrance is admission free! (except the second floor). Then I walked to the Naval Academy, after that I got lost in streets and buildings names - so a lot of visual information).

Shitty weather, its raining all day long.

From this moment, no pictures - its impossible to use your phone camera under the rain.

Cycling back to Adriano's house (my Warmshowers host) was slow because of headwind. And my front wheel surprisingly deformated like "8". Need to repair it now (of course, i cannot do it by myself).

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Magnificient BIKE UNFRIENDLY Venice - day 23 of cycling Ukraine-Portugal

  In the morning I went to Venice! Magnificient Venice, the city I heared a lot information about, but never had been here before. Only ...

Magnificient BIKE UNFRIENDLY Venice - day 23 of cycling Ukraine-Portugal

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An afternoon stroll in Trieste

Today has been a day of "improvisation", I had planned to go to Verona but I overslept and when we went to the train station it was too late to do the tour in one day, so we had to improvise and look for another destination.

After looking at several options we chose to go to Trieste, a beautiful city, with great buildings and with a lot of freshness.

I loved the architecture of this place, all the buildings are imposing and in perfect condition. The city is very welcoming and with different attractions.

You can tell that it is a city with history as soon as you walk through its cobblestone streets, and at the same time it has opened up to modernization, it is a mixture of both.

We were in the square "La Piazza dell'Unità" or Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, surrounded by imposing buildings like the ones you see in the pictures, among which are the Government Palace and the City Hall Palace.

In front of the square is the promenade, a long walkway around the sea, with a harbor in the background with large boats.

The gastronomy is varied and there are cafes for all tastes. I liked to see many stores with more than 60 years old.

As a travel experience I can tell you that we have suffered a little with the language issue, it has not been easy to get people who speak Spanish, even in the hotels. When we got on the bus to the train station we could barely understand that we had to buy the bus ticket through a mobile application.

Everything is very orderly here, the public transportation is impeccable in terms of comfort and punctuality. Very organized.

It's a destination that I would like to repeat to see with more time many other attractions that I could not appreciate because of the time factor.

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An afternoon stroll in Trieste

An afternoon stroll in Trieste Today has been a day of "improvisation", I had planned to...

An afternoon stroll in Trieste

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I wonder where this will take me:

That's generally the first thought I have before heading down some unknown road, alley, street or into a forest with no path (I've done this and I don't recommend it). This time was no different. You want to go to Venice? Great! My suggestion? Just start walking. Seriously, it's like a massive corn maze except there's no corn and no entrance and no exit. So I guess on second thought it's nothing like a corn maze. It's definitely like a maze though! You can walk and walk and walk for hours and sometimes you end up where you started. Sometimes you end up in a neighborhood with a bunch of locals that speak no English. Sometimes you reach a dead end and by dead end I mean a canal with no street access so you're only choice is to dive in or turn around. Since diving in is not an option (it's not legal to swim in the canals) your only other choice is to turn around. Or you can sit there, like I did, for as long as you like.

So I sat down. I had the wide lens on and I wanted to grab that perfect shot of the gondolier rowing by. I think in my head I wanted the entire gondola but I quickly realized that wasn't possible from where I was sitting. Those things are pretty long and the opening I was sitting in was pretty narrow. Still, I wanted something that looked Venetian! I want that iconic Italian man, oar in hand, singing a song and pushing his skinny boat through the canals of Venice as the sun beautifully lays down a golden glow. What a mouthful. So I sat. I sat and I waited patiently.

Here's something I'll let you know about me. I don't care how long it takes me to get the perfect photo, I'll sit there and wait for it. Most of the time it's because I want the people to leave. That might be slightly ironic considering the people photography contest I've entered by making this post but it's the truth. Sometimes it's because I want humans to show up and populate my time-lapse though. For instance, on this same trip, I sat at the bottom of the Spanish Steps in Rome for two or three hours, replacing batteries and memory cards, because I started it too early. One thousand photos of the Spanish Steps is pretty boring when there's no one on them. The point is I don't mind waiting. I actually like it. Taking photos is what I'm there to do so time never enters into the equation.

In this particular case I just sat at the end of the alleyway on the edge of the water. It was a staircase that led to the canal and then dropped off into the blue. The main mode of transportation here is boat so you'll find these spots everywhere. Places you can tie off the gondola to and step onto land. I wasn't looking for this spot, I never am, I just accidentally wandered over to it and decided to stay. I took a few photos of the ristorante awning and the flag waving above it. I poked my head around the edge of the building to see if anyone was coming and boom! There he was.

Alright, as usual I'm going to be radically honest with you. It didn't happen that easy. He wasn't there. Actually when I first looked there probably wasn't anyone there. After waiting a while someone finally did come by and I took my shot. It sucked (or I thought it sucked). Then another dude came by, nothing. The wrong angle, the wrong look, the wrong whatever. So in all reality I sat there and let a couple roll by before I really figured out what I was doing. That's just what photographers do. No one gets the perfect shot the first time. The story just sounds better when I blow it full of hot air and make it sound like I've got some secret skill that no one else can obtain. Garbage. I'm pushing a button on a device that someone else made. I change some numbers on the digital interface, turn a couple dials, aim and point. A few hundred clicks later one of them might turn out looking good. Sorry to burst the pretty bubble. That's just how it works. At least for digital photographers. You old school film guys got me beat.

The first guy floated by and I was too close. The second guy comes into frame and I hadn't learned my lesson. The third one showed up and I was ready to go. I sat up on the top step, framed my shot and started firing. I love this photo (the first one). He's doing his job but he's looking right at me. He's telling these two tourists about something special but has the awareness to notice me right behind him. For me the third time really was the charm and not just for the photo. It took three times for me to realize I'm no different than any tourist there. I just feel like this guy saw me and thought, "Every corner I got a camera in my face."

I hope that's not what he was thinking. I like this picture more than any thing I could have imagined I'd get while I was sitting there (again, the first one). There's a contrast here that I love. On the one hand you have two people sitting in the gondola completely engaged in what he's telling them. I don't think they ever saw me. On the other hand he's looking right at me with a kind of serious undertone making sure I know who's boss. My initial reaction is that he's irritated with me. That's not what I wanted but it may have been the result. I don't know for sure, he turned around right after spotting me and continued rowing his boat.

In reviewing this photo and writing up this article, it definitely allows me the opportunity to think about how I engage with people. In the past I have often stood around with my camera and not said a word. Not always but frequent enough to comment on it. Like in an awkward way where people wonder what you're doing. It's something I'm actively working on improving. I think most people, if you stop to talk to them, wouldn't actually mind you taking their photo. In fact I think a lot of people would feel special or honored that you find them interesting enough to point your camera at them. It's just that first step of actually communicating with them that is the most important and it's one I often skip. I truly believe that communication can solve just about anything including my continuing conflict around taking pictures of strangers. Because if he was in fact thinking what I thought he was thinking, the chance to talk to him could have solved it.

I think him and I both would agree on the fact that his country, his culture and his city are stunningly beautiful. At the end of the day that's all I'm trying to capture. I just want to capture that beauty.

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Photo Series and Story: Why You Creepin'? - Peoplephotography by worldcapture Week #7

I wonder where this will take me: That's generally the first thought I have before heading down some unknown road, alley, str...

Photo Series and Story: Why You Creepin'? - Peoplephotography by worldcapture Week #7

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Hello to all the visitors of this community!

By the way, I want to take advantage of this opportunity and I'm glad that it has been revived anyway, so we have this space where we can share our experiences but also our travels that we do, and I apologize if I am not very present but I am quite busy with the move, so I really have little time to write.

However, today I managed to carve out some time, also to take a break from the sweltering heat hitting Bologna. I wanted to share with you some photos I took a few evenings ago, where I had a somewhat special experience. It was my first time, but I know it's a fairly widespread trend not only in Italy but around the world, which is to have these culinary experiences in nature, among vineyards or, as in this case, in a lavender field.

It wasn't the first time I visited a lavender field, a trend that has become quite popular in recent years. I love the scent of lavender. In fact, usually my shower gel and body cream have that lavender scent, and I usually buy products that are matched with this fragrance.

However, a friend of mine proposed this experience some time ago, which I honestly considered a bit expensive right away since I paid almost €30 to taste products in a location that is basically a lavender field.

In the end, though, I viewed this experience positively because it's a very romantic thing, especially if you catch a beautiful day and can admire a stunning sunset. Most importantly, I could enjoy quality products and taste excellent wines, so I think the price was fair in the end.

Of course, those who cultivate these lavender fields try to create a bit of a business beyond just producing lavender-scented products. Nevertheless, it's very beautiful because for those who adore lavender like me, it's like being in paradise.

I hope to have another similar experience soon, perhaps in a different natural setting, and I hope you can do it too! Anyway, I hope to share my next post in these communities very soon. Kisses to all!!

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Exploring Lavender Fields: A Culinary and Natural Experience

Hello to all the visitors of this community! By the way, I want to take advantage of this opportunity and I'm glad that it has been ...

Exploring Lavender Fields: A Culinary and Natural Experience

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Venice. Here I belong. Standing by the canal. Admiring. I am speechless.

Walking over the bridge. I hear the gondola songs.

I marvel at your colorful houses and ancient bricks.

I see your beautiful carnival face. I see the face behind.

You are so much more!

I am at Piazza under the starry night. Moon covered by the darkest clouds.

Cold breeze brushing my face. Love is around and hopes you give.

Romanticizing my own.

I will carry you wherever I go! All the time....

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A solo trip to Venice, a city of my dreams on my 30th Birthday - yes I went alone to the most romantic city of the world and yes I enjoyed it as much as anyone else could have. Hopped on from one ferry to another, walked around the city eating pizza, and enjoyed the gondola ride with a glass of rose wine. I did it all! And I fell in love with the place.

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Every part of Venice has been explored, described, photographed and painted millions of times, and even though having read and seen in pictures, the experience of being there can never be put in words or photographs.

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I got lost on the streets and alleys of Venice don't know how many times, but every time made new discoveries without maps and plans.

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“This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty – this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap, in whose insalubrious air the arts once rankly and voluptuously blossomed, where composers have been inspired to lulling tones of somniferous eroticism." - Thomas Mann

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I planned a free guided tour of the city with La Bussola Free Tours which is one of the best ways to explore Venice and it's gems by foot. At San Giorgio dei Greci church, I was capturing memories and was in awe of the beauty of the place that I forgot I was with a group and lost time. I was left behind. But nothing could bring me down on that splendid day.

San Giorgio dei Greci church

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I walked around on my own for some time watching the cheerful and ecstatic faces of people in love with the city like me and later visited the Fortuny museum and it was one of my best decision.
Once owned by the Pesaro family, this Gothic building in Campo San Beneto, near the church of the same name, was transformed by Mariano Fortuny into his own photography, stage-design, textile-design and painting atelier. Source

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Check out my blog on Fortuny Museum

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There were so many things to do and I had no time, I wished to visit every island, try every dish (well what was available for vegetarians, or else there is always an option of wine!).

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Check out my blog on Venetian Masks - A journey of celebrations

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Rest of the day was spent on the streets looking at the handmade carnival masks of all designs you can imagine, unique glassware, fashion stores, pizzerias and wine shops.

Beautiful Murano Glass products

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Strolling down the streets I turned up at the grand Basilica, St Mark's Square, the heart of the city with bright lights, architecture, shops and so much more. I don't remember how much time I just stood in front of the Basilica, maybe 3- 4 hours. I only returned back to my room after midnight, with that one last stop at the ice cream shop - pistachio. LOVE ❤️

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St Mark's Square

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Venice at night is nothing but straight out of a fairy tale movie, the soft sounds of canals, intoxicating smell of wine, and romance in the air. You can see a few tourists like me walking down the street at midnight, enjoying and soaking everything they could.

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For the next day, I took a whole day pass for water taxi 'Vaporetto', starting my ride to Burano, which took around 45 - 50 minutes to reach with beautiful views on the way.

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The colorful canals of Burano

The picture illustrates how colorful, beautiful and exciting this place is.

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Tre Ponti is the wooden bridge which connects the streets of Burano and is the best place to take photographs.

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One can also see ladies sittings outside their homes under the sun creating Burano needle lace which is as pretty as the place itself and quite famous too, or can also check the Burano lace museum where one can find artisans making delicate laces.

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I couldn't resist myself from buying few artworks, bought one beautiful mask from here, from a small shop on sale... yayiiee.. check out the signs "Saldi” and one can find pretty Murano glass jewelry and other unique products at a reasonable price compared to the one in the city.

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Murano is known for its glass making. One can visit the factory and see the beautiful pieces getting made. It was a perfect day trip.

The quote says a lot about how I feel about the city...

“ If I could live in one city and do every single thing I do there, I would choose Venice. You can't turn your head without seeing something amazing.”― Nile Rodger

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VENICE . All By Myself . Part #3

Venice. Here I belong. Standing by the canal. Admiring. I am speechless. Walking over the bridge. I hear the gondola songs. I marvel at ...

VENICE . All By Myself . Part #3

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