Saturday, October 8, 2011
If Venice is Her Necklace ~ Florence is Her Crown and Glory~
Firenze~ her given name and blessed by those who clled her their home town, and those who bid her call and follow~
There is something very special here in this city~ I know because I have been called back to her many times and I never tire of her beauty. It is rustic, modern, full of art and majestic~
One can busy themselves darting from museum to museum to see the hand of the master's, or quietly and austerely gaze up at the beauty of the genus of the archect who fashioned the first modern dome, and awesomely gaze up at the artist's hand who painted the inside of the Duomo. If you want to, you can climb between the walls of the masterful dome and stand out on its top and look over this grand city and all it's glory!
The outside of the Duomo is most beautifully covered with white,pink and green marble carved majestically and topped with terra cotta tiles that set the stage for the most awesome, stunning, view. Standing in the piazza along side is the Baptistry, with it's amazing doors depicting Bible scenes, and the Bell tower.
I know the I cannot take in all of the beauty that this Piazza gives to those who walk in the shadow of this magnificent piece of art, as I am constantly trying to get the perfect picture each time I walk past. I cannot fathom what it must have been like to see this church, as massic=ve as it is waiting for the completion of it's dome and how far away one could see it standing in the distant, calling to the people to come and worship~
There are other great masterpieces to be seen in the city~ Michalengelo's David, his
masterpiece, a remarkable flawless beauty, carved and polished. Incredible to view, but no pictures!! Fountains, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge ,the countless storefront windows with the latest fashions, not to menton the models on the street! It is all there~
If you want to be in the middle of it, you can be. If you want to stand back and take it in, you can do that too, looking over the city at the Piazza Michalengelo, where you can have the most wonderful panarama view of this beautiful crown and glory of Italy's, whose name is Florence~
There is something very special here in this city~ I know because I have been called back to her many times and I never tire of her beauty. It is rustic, modern, full of art and majestic~
One can busy themselves darting from museum to museum to see the hand of the master's, or quietly and austerely gaze up at the beauty of the genus of the archect who fashioned the first modern dome, and awesomely gaze up at the artist's hand who painted the inside of the Duomo. If you want to, you can climb between the walls of the masterful dome and stand out on its top and look over this grand city and all it's glory!
The outside of the Duomo is most beautifully covered with white,pink and green marble carved majestically and topped with terra cotta tiles that set the stage for the most awesome, stunning, view. Standing in the piazza along side is the Baptistry, with it's amazing doors depicting Bible scenes, and the Bell tower.
I know the I cannot take in all of the beauty that this Piazza gives to those who walk in the shadow of this magnificent piece of art, as I am constantly trying to get the perfect picture each time I walk past. I cannot fathom what it must have been like to see this church, as massic=ve as it is waiting for the completion of it's dome and how far away one could see it standing in the distant, calling to the people to come and worship~
There are other great masterpieces to be seen in the city~ Michalengelo's David, his
masterpiece, a remarkable flawless beauty, carved and polished. Incredible to view, but no pictures!! Fountains, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge ,the countless storefront windows with the latest fashions, not to menton the models on the street! It is all there~
If you want to be in the middle of it, you can be. If you want to stand back and take it in, you can do that too, looking over the city at the Piazza Michalengelo, where you can have the most wonderful panarama view of this beautiful crown and glory of Italy's, whose name is Florence~
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Did Someone Say Pisa? Yes, I'd Like a Slice!
Pisa~ just a quick stop at the station and a 15 minute walk and you are there! Walking into a most beautiful sight.
I believe that weather conditions have a lot to do with the vision of the Bascillica , Baptistry as well as the Tower. Certainly a blue sky is in order, but add white puffy clouds to the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a beautiful memory.
This is our third visit here, and with this visit we decided that we would climb to the top,so we could cross it off our bucket list.
15 Euros , $20.00 each is a hefty price to climb this tower, but when you come to think about it, it does help pay for the upkeep, and to keep it from sinking further into the ground!
It was an incredible feeling walking over the threshold onto the foundationat the base of the tower. Immediately, you felt the slant of the foundation.As you started climbing the circular stairway you were drawn outward on the tilted side as if you were on a tilt -a-whirl at a carnival!As you rounded tht top most part of the tower as you continued upward you felt the force of heavy gravity upon the steps. And the steps as well have become heavily worn by others
who have walked before .
What an exhillerating feeling reaching the top of the tower and stepping up and out on top for the view and to see the lip of the tower tipping off to the side! i was nevver in fear of the height, and I do have that fear. It was a lovely view, and I must say that if you have the chance to climb to the top~ do not hesitate~ This treasure has been with us for centuries~ Make it one of your memories! You won't be sorry!
I believe that weather conditions have a lot to do with the vision of the Bascillica , Baptistry as well as the Tower. Certainly a blue sky is in order, but add white puffy clouds to the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a beautiful memory.
This is our third visit here, and with this visit we decided that we would climb to the top,so we could cross it off our bucket list.
15 Euros , $20.00 each is a hefty price to climb this tower, but when you come to think about it, it does help pay for the upkeep, and to keep it from sinking further into the ground!
It was an incredible feeling walking over the threshold onto the foundationat the base of the tower. Immediately, you felt the slant of the foundation.As you started climbing the circular stairway you were drawn outward on the tilted side as if you were on a tilt -a-whirl at a carnival!As you rounded tht top most part of the tower as you continued upward you felt the force of heavy gravity upon the steps. And the steps as well have become heavily worn by others
who have walked before .
What an exhillerating feeling reaching the top of the tower and stepping up and out on top for the view and to see the lip of the tower tipping off to the side! i was nevver in fear of the height, and I do have that fear. It was a lovely view, and I must say that if you have the chance to climb to the top~ do not hesitate~ This treasure has been with us for centuries~ Make it one of your memories! You won't be sorry!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Venice~ Beautiful Necklace of Lagoon and Canals~
Venice is a city that must be traversed either by boat or foot~
At first one needs the map to get acquainted with the land, and then it's not necessary to go by it, but put it away and explore!
Over the bridges of canals, through the spendid lanes of mazes you go ducking into what looks like an a darkened alley~ Should you dare to go? If you do, you find the most wonderful view of a hidden canal, but you are not the first to find it, someone is sitting on the little bridge resting and enjoying the view just like you~
The gondolas glide past as silently as a whisper~ Dreamily you gaze at the beauty of this art of navigation through these narrow passageways. Veince! To be a spectator and a participatant of such a spectacular place~
When we first planned our trip to Venice, The Piazza San Marco was but something that I had heard of and never seen~ Now it is in my heart. To View the early night fall there is truly a vision to behold. The Venitian blue sky against the vibrant white marble Bacillica and all her adornments are magical!
I will never forget the full moon rising over it, and long once again to wittness this.
Yes, truly Venice is adorned with the jewels of her mouthblown glass orniments, Canals and ebony gondloas gliding upon the green surfaces of her waters~
One MUST come and view her lovliness, at least once in a lifetime, if not twice~
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Ahhh, Venezia!
Having three days in Venice seems a bit elaborate, however, there is so much to see and so much ground to cover, and on foot, that one must carefully plan out a trip here.
We decided to stay outside Venice in the nearby town of Mestre. Over the years we have found Hotel San Carlo to be a gem of a place to lay our heads after a full day of walking the islands.
They provide a hearty breakfast and can provide the needed Actv card for entry to this "E" ticket adult Disneyland.
The Actv card provides bus access as well as vaparetto, water bus passes to wherever you wish in the Venetian area. This helped us to be able to get on and off as we pleased and go wherever we wished by just waiting for the water bus to arrive and drop us off at the stop.
Lately, the cruise ships are making a 'bee line' to Venice, and Venice is aparently ready for them, as they have built a new cruise terminal as well as a pedestrian bridge welcoming these sea farers upon dry land.
We have had the experience of watching these mamouth ships being escorted in and out of the harbor. They seem to dwarf anything near, and those magnificent tall towers that were built ages ago, for great vantage point and safety, have been be-littled by these giants !
Day one we headed for two small islands in the Venitian lagoon, sometimes missed by the unknowing without a tour or a heads up: Murano and Burano.
Murano is a tiny copy of it's big sister, Venice. It's colors mock her's and canals run through her small land. Her claim to fame is that the Venetian glass blowing factories lie within her. From her come millions of Euros of beautiful art, hand blown glass beads,chandeliers and jewelry are but only a few of the products made and sold here.
Burano, our favorite little place is known for it's lace making and there is a school of lacemaking in the large piazza near the church. She too has canals on her tiny isle.
Burano is like a multi scooped ice cream cone. Every color imaginable has been painted on the outside walls of these homes that hold the population on this tiny island. Tangerine orange, to fushia, pink to lavendar as well as raspberry and lemon yellowand marine blue! I saw a white house and marveled at the plainness of it next to such extravagant colors!
Burano lifts your spirits and makes you happy!
We saw a quote painted on a tile placed on a lemon yellow house that said,"Color is like music, it uses shorter way to come to our senses to awake our emotions".
We always marvel at the patience and non-chalant way the people of Burano live amongst the throngs of tourists who come to walk her streets and by ways, snapping pictures to bring a little of the sunshine kept here back home ~
We decided to stay outside Venice in the nearby town of Mestre. Over the years we have found Hotel San Carlo to be a gem of a place to lay our heads after a full day of walking the islands.
They provide a hearty breakfast and can provide the needed Actv card for entry to this "E" ticket adult Disneyland.
The Actv card provides bus access as well as vaparetto, water bus passes to wherever you wish in the Venetian area. This helped us to be able to get on and off as we pleased and go wherever we wished by just waiting for the water bus to arrive and drop us off at the stop.
Lately, the cruise ships are making a 'bee line' to Venice, and Venice is aparently ready for them, as they have built a new cruise terminal as well as a pedestrian bridge welcoming these sea farers upon dry land.
We have had the experience of watching these mamouth ships being escorted in and out of the harbor. They seem to dwarf anything near, and those magnificent tall towers that were built ages ago, for great vantage point and safety, have been be-littled by these giants !
Day one we headed for two small islands in the Venitian lagoon, sometimes missed by the unknowing without a tour or a heads up: Murano and Burano.
Murano is a tiny copy of it's big sister, Venice. It's colors mock her's and canals run through her small land. Her claim to fame is that the Venetian glass blowing factories lie within her. From her come millions of Euros of beautiful art, hand blown glass beads,chandeliers and jewelry are but only a few of the products made and sold here.
Burano, our favorite little place is known for it's lace making and there is a school of lacemaking in the large piazza near the church. She too has canals on her tiny isle.
Burano is like a multi scooped ice cream cone. Every color imaginable has been painted on the outside walls of these homes that hold the population on this tiny island. Tangerine orange, to fushia, pink to lavendar as well as raspberry and lemon yellowand marine blue! I saw a white house and marveled at the plainness of it next to such extravagant colors!
Burano lifts your spirits and makes you happy!
We saw a quote painted on a tile placed on a lemon yellow house that said,"Color is like music, it uses shorter way to come to our senses to awake our emotions".
We always marvel at the patience and non-chalant way the people of Burano live amongst the throngs of tourists who come to walk her streets and by ways, snapping pictures to bring a little of the sunshine kept here back home ~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)