We almost didn't make it into our next stop in Europe...

After a wonderful 4 days of exploring Vienna, our next destination was one we were both looking forward to and had heard rave reviews about; the Czech’s national capital, the home of some of the best brewed beer in the world, a city which has recovered from the communism it experienced for over 40 years, the cradle of Czech culture and one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Europe – that of Prague.

Since our Eurorail had expired in Vienna, we had done countless research at Internet cafes a month prior to arriving in Vienna, in search of the “cheap” inter-European flights that we had heard so much about. We unfortunately weren’t having much luck at first as we were able to find some pretty good deals for flights from Prague to Amsterdam and Vienna to Amsterdam but for the life of us couldn’t find any “cheap” carriers that would fly direct from Vienna to Prague. We therefore had to rearrange our travel plans and add an additional flight from Vienna to Cologne-Bonn in Germany before flying from Cologne to Prague. Although the two flights were rather “cheap” (the majority of the cost ends up being taxes since we were able to find one flight that was zero Euros and the other was $5 Euros each) we later found out that perhaps flying to Germany wasn’t the best option. It saved us some money but as a result we almost ended up being detained in Germany and missing our flight to Prague. It’s a never-ending adventure with us I tell ya….

We arrived at Cologne-Bonn airport on the 17th of November and had to stay one night here as we were unable to get a flight to Prague until the following day. With our last few destinations in Europe set and airline tickets confirmed and purchased, we decided that reserving hotels in advance would be a nice change. We already had an apartment booked in Prague and were hoping to pre-book for Cologne as well but were finding it very difficult to find anything online that was affordable. Most one and two star hotels were advertised for no less than $70-$75 Euros. During our research, we came across a very interesting hotel more so for its architecture than anything else. Hotel Chelsea was in the centre of town and recently they had renovated the roof and boy was it something else. The ordinary gabled roof had been transformed into various angles and slopes creating what looked like a gigantic building block set that you would assemble as a child. The price of the rooms were higher than we would normally pay but at this point in our trip, we were tired and ready to splurge on ourselves and not in the mood to go wandering the streets of Cologne for only one night. So we took the advice of our good friend, James, who had told us prior to leaving that there will come a time when you will have to splurge on accommodation and just enjoy it. And that we did. We ended up booking a room for $79 Euros/night – we unfortunately did not get to stay on the top floor with the newly constructed roof for this amount but were enthused at the sight of the stark white duvet covers, fluffy pillows, chocolates on the pillows and yes, a shower where we didn’t feel like we had to wear our slippers in. The extra money was well worth the great night’s sleep we had, so good that we barely even left our room. We left for lunch and dinner and spent the rest of the time enjoying every penny of the $79 Euros. Thanks to James for some wonderful advice.

Chelsea Hotel – sometimes the right splurge at the right time is all you need

Despite a good night’s rest and sound sleep, nothing could prepare us for what was to happen at the Cologne-Bonn Airport the next day. We arrived 2 hours prior to the plane departing and did the normal check in and security check and had decided to go through passport control a hour or so earlier and just wait in the lobby for our flight. Lucky we decided to do this earlier rather than later as we weren’t expecting the passport control police to tell us that we had overstayed our welcome in the European Union and were illegally staying in Germany. Before either one of could explain that we had no idea what the woman was talking about, she told us that we are only allowed to stay in those countries that comprise the European Union for a maximum of 3 months and since we had not left the European Union since August 14th when we had first arrived back in Munich from our 1 month hiatus from travelling, we were illegally in Germany or any country comprising the European Union for that matter. As both Chris and I looked at each other with shocks of dismay, we had no idea what to say. This was the first we had ever heard of this as our travel agent had never mentioned anything about this and we just assumed you could stay in Europe as long as you wanted to since we had heard of so many travellers who have travelled within Europe for a year if not longer. After explaining that we had no idea of this “regulation”, she advised that she would have to take us into her office and talk to the “chief” about it. With our flight departure only 40 minutes away now, she said she would try her best to get this resolved for us in time to make our flight. So we were led back through security and check in while other passengers were staring at us and wondering what we had done. She ushered us into a stark white room with no windows and asked us to have a seat while she explained the situation to her superior. Chris and I sat in this room, unaware of what was going to happen to us but somewhat calm as the woman police officer was very nice and made us both feel as though she would help us out as much as she could. After a few different police officers came out and asked us why and how we didn’t know of this “3 month limit”, the ease at which we came into the room, slowly started to disappear. Lucky for us, the original woman police officer came out and asked us to show her some proof that we had at least been out of Germany since Aug 14th and had been travelling around as we had indicated to them. I was able to produce a couple of bills from our shopping in Vienna and sure enough those seemed to save the day. Thank goodness for shopping and H&M!! What happened you ask? Fortuitous for us, the woman decided she was not going to post a “formal complaint” in the system on us and was going to jot down a personal note within German records that she had found that we had overstayed our welcome but that she obtained proof that we were not in Germany the entire time. The only stipulation was that we were not to enter Germany again anytime this year or else we’d be in big trouble – which was no problem for us. We were still a little baffled at how this could happen but by the end of it all, our understanding is that we should have gotten a stamp when exiting the Munich train station when we first arrived in August to show we left the country but even if we had done this, we would have still been in the European Union illegally as you are only allowed to visit the countries that make up the EU for a maximum of 3 months in a 6 month period. We made it back to our flight with minutes to spare no thanks to the super nice woman we were lucky enough to get during passport control, I can only imagine what would have happened if we got someone else besides her that day that wasn’t as “nice”…sometimes we just have to thank our lucky stars!!

We boarded the plane with a sigh of relief and spent the next hour and a half wondering what Prague would be like and what adventure lay ahead of us next.

We arrived to the airport in Prague with no hassles and for the first time in a LONG TIME, were greeted by someone holding up a sign with our names. We’re used to aimlessly finding our way around an airport for the information desk when we first arrive to get into the centre of town but to have someone waiting to take us to our pre-booked accommodation was a bonus. Within a hour we were dropped off at our apartment which would be home for the next 6 days while in Prague.

Letna Apartment was perfect! It was a small studio with a kitchenette, fridge, satellite TV and a large bathroom. It reminded us of our time in Budapest and the gem of a place that luckily found us. Letna Apartment was similar to our place in Budapest in that it was a bit out of the centre of town which was fine by us as we loved the 20 minute walks into town through the lovely Letna Park which afforded beautiful views of the Vltava River which winds itself through the middle of Prague. Not only were the walks a wonderful start and end to our long days of walking throughout the city, but it was a bonus to be away from the touristy part of town and again, although we are in mid November and approaching the winter season, the tourists were still in full force and evident in overwhelming numbers.

Our home away from home in Prague

Our 6 days in Prague were spent wandering the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, walking along side the Vltava River to appreciate the various types of architecture, catching a game of Prague’s sports fans’ favorite sport – lucky for us Canadians, it’s ice hockey, and enjoying our cosy home where we read, relaxed, made dinners and for the first time in a very long time, felt right “at home”!!

The Vltava River and the various bridges that cross it – this was one of many views we were lucky enough to encounter everyday we walked into town

The centre of Stare Mesto (the Old Town), this is Old Town Square – thought to be one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe

Goltz-Kinsky Palace – Prague’s finest rococo façade. Although it stands tall in the square today as one of its prominent sights, for locals here this still conjures up dark memories as it is here where it was proclaimed that communism would prevail in Czechoslovakia. Today, it’s a branch of the National Gallery, showing temporary exhibitions

A close up of the Astronomical Clock that adorns a corner of the Old Town Hall – each hour on the hour, a small show is put on where a bell is rung and the 12 Apostles parade past the windows above the clock, nodding to the crowd. It’s nothing too spectacular but sure enough, every hour on the hour, you’re bound to find a very large mob of tourists anxiously awaiting the clock to strike the hour

The Opera House – one of many that can be found throughout Prague as it is a city full of rich and varied musical life ranging from classical to jazz to rock & pop

Turning the corner to find one of these ancient towers in the middle of the city is no surprise

A dark and dreary day overlooking the skyline of Prague

The famous Charles Bridge stands out amongst the rest with the 30 monuments that line either side of the bridge. In the far distance perched atop a hill, is the Prague Castle

Taking a stroll along the Charles Bridge

The western gateway onto Charles Bridge

Enjoying the sun and the views, what better way to spend a cold Autumn’s day

The Prague Castle which is almost a town in itself is the world’s largest ancient castle at an 570m long, an average of 128m wide and covering a total area bigger than seven football fields. Can you imagine trying to find your hubby in this place, I think not!!

A depiction of the Last Judgment above the Golden Gate (an elegant triple arches Gothic porch) on the southern sie of the church which is a part of the Castle grounds

We even got a chance to get our hockey fill and watched a great hockey game where one of Prague’s biggest hockey teams, HC Sparta Praha played HC Mountfield

It was a great game with lots of great saves as seen here and the home team won 5-3 which made the atmosphere in the building electrifying. Definitely pumped to come home and see how our ‘Nuckers are doing.

Despite the cold and grey weather we had most of the time we were in Prague, our time in Prague were fantastic. Not only was there lots to see and do but it is also here that I have discovered my favorite beer. Hard to believe but Pilsner Urquell – the world’s first clear golden beer is my beer of choice from now on, that is if I can afford it. Not only because it goes down smooth but because it’s one of the few beers that I can drink without making a funny face afterwards and that goes a long way!! Besides the beer and good food, Prague is definitely a city to be explored by foot as there are so many wonderful images to feast your eyes upon. From the pedestrian packed Charles Bridge, to the massive castle which seems to tower over the entire town to the endless squares and narrow alleyways you’re sure to encounter, the city is a walker’s paradise. A lot of times during our walks, I couldn’t help but imagine what the city would look like under a soft white blanket of snow, something I guess we’ll have to see the next time we visit Prague…

Goodbye Prague, until our next encounter..

Ravy the Roamer

Probing Vienna

We spent the last few hours in Venice watching the sun set over the sinking city and wondered what it would be like the next time we would return. After a quick dinner, we grabbed our bags and headed for the train station. The 12 hour train ride would be our last, as our Eurorail would have expired the following day. So we ended our land travel in Europe the same way we started, with an overnight train ride from one country to another. It would be yet another overnight on the rocky trains for Rav and I. It is something we have become accustomed to by now and I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that this would be our 54th train ride in the last three months. It was a restless night for the two of us as we shared the cabin with two men, one traveling back to his family in Denmark and the other to Salzburg. The trained pulled into Vienna Westbanoff Station a little after 8 am and the temperature could not have been more than 5 degrees. Needless to say, it was a very cold walk through the streets of Vienna as we made our way to Lauria Apartments which we had booked through the internet for 34 Euros a night.

After some fumbling through the side streets, we finally found our destination at 77 Kiasrstrabe St. There we were greeted by a wonderful woman whom spoke English fluently and gave us detailed instructions on the apartment as well as answering all of our questions that we would have for the tourist office. It was the first time in a really long time that we did not have to wander through the streets aimlessly looking for accommodation. The apartment was not really what we had in mind, but we did make the best of it, using the kitchen facility to our advantage.

Bunk beds for two… finally some peace and quiet

So I thought!

We stocked the fridge for our stint in Vienna before heading into the center of town to check out some of the sights.

The opera house of Vienna – We tried to get tickets to see a show there but there was standing room only

The Greek Revival façade of Vienna’s Parliament with a 15 foot statue of Athena, the goddess of Wisdom

Hofburg Palace – residence of the Habsburg emperor until 1918. It was originally designed as a medieval castle, but only the chapel remains. A number of different wings were added as successors to the throne throughout the centuries became more powerful. Today it is home to the state Treasuries, the Imperial Apartments, the Imperial Silver Collection, Swiss Courtyard, The Hofburg Chapel, the Imperial Chancery Wing, Amaila’s Wing and Leopold’s Wing. So you need about a week to see it all.


On a foggy afternoon we ventured a bit out of town to visit the Schonbrunn Palace. Although it was huge, it did not compare to that of Versailles. There was not much to the gardens either as winter is upon us.

Closer into town is the Belvedere Palace which now houses the Austrian Gallery. We visited the gallery and saw the works of many famous artists. Austria’s own Gustav Klimt was well represented here as one of his famous piece, “The Kiss” was on display.

Kunsthistorisches Museum – Museum of Fine Arts. Ranks as one of the richest and most important art collections in the world. It houses the Royal Family’s private collection with major works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Durer, Raphael, Titan and Velazquez. It was built between 1871 and 1891.

Liechtenstein Museum one of the finest privately owned museums in the world. We had wanted to see some of the works by artists such as Rubens, and Rembrandts and made a special trip to this museum. We thought that the red carpet was for us, but unfortunately the museum was closed the day we were there.

Leopold Museum has one of the largest selection of works by Egon Schiele. This newly designed museum opened in 2001 and is the most distinctive building in the Museum Quarter

Museum of Modern Art – houses modern and contemporary art like the house that is attached to the side of the actual building. Yeah I think we will pass.

Perhaps the most interesting of all museums from an architectural point of view. 19th century buildings with modern touches that add interest and flare to the look of the building. It is quite interesting. The museum is supposed to have works by Rubens, Klimt, Cezanne, and Durer, but not this day. Picasso was the artist of choice, and since we had already seen most of his work in Paris it was not worth the 9 Euros to be mesmerized again.

Vienna’s most significant example of ecclesiastical Baroque architecture by far. Completed in 1739 and the dome is 236 m high making it a dominant feature in Vienna’s skyline. Today it is the Historical Museum of the City of Vienna

Interior of St. Michael’s Church – sculpture of the descent of Lucifer at the high alter

Exterior of Votive Church under renovation

High Alter of St. Peter’s Church

The dome at St Peter’s Church – it reminded me of the Hagia Sofia in shape

St. Steven’s Cathedral in the center of town

Interior of St. Steven’s Cathedral

Winter is upon us

Vienna’s City Hall

Kohlmarkt – Ritzy shopping area of Vienna. You can see signs of the holiday season coming on

The Plague Column dedicated to the end of the Plague that saw a loss of more than half of Vienna’s population

Memorial to WWII

Ankler Clock – an astrological clock

A great use of material, the red you see is actually steel allowed to rust in its natural state

Money and Power - Ernst Bank and St Steven’s Cathedral

A pretty interesting building

In addition to having a great recycling program, Vienna is a very green city. Bike stands can be found throughout the city (like the ones above). You simply rent them and return them to the original location or any other stands throughout the city. What a great idea

City Dump? You got it, even the city dump is pretty cool looking

The chimney of the incinerator for the city’s garbage disposal found right within the city limits

Austria’s historical past has not always been viewed to have contributed positively on an international stage. Vienna, the capital city has felt the brunt of the criticism the hardest, being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler and the seat of past right wing leaders. Putting politics aside, Austria’s cultural identity lies deep within the core of Vienna’s rich aristocratic past. At the height of the Hasburg empire during the 18th and 19th centuries, scores of musicians such as Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert flourished here in Vienna, creating a period of classical music far more superior then those before and after it. But more than just music, Vienna also brought to the international scene, Strauss Jr ‘s waltz, Freud’s psycho-analysis, and some of Europe’s great artists - that of Klimt, Ruben, and Rembrandt, and architects Wagner and Loos. As a tribute to these and other great artists, Vienna has more then 20 great museums that show case their artistry well, although the entrance fees are a bit pricey. Each museum has priceless art but each of the buildings is quite stunning as well. They are all worth a visit. Other places of note are the numerous churches that can be found throughout the city.

Their devotion to the Catholic Church is evident by the number of churches and cathedrals punctuated throughout the city center and beyond. The austere Gothic revivals of both St. Steven’s Cathedral and Vollite Church can be ranked along side to those found in France, Italy and Spain, and the high Baroque of the Renaissance is superbly captured in St. Peter’s Church, where harmony, proportion and decadence are exuded in great artistry.

From our encounters with its people and its sites, we found Vienna to be a pleasant city with all the richness and diversity of a major city but still having a quiet charm. Vienna was worth a visit and one that we enjoyed immensely.

Chunger the unemployed bum

The 20/20 on Italy Starring the Roamer and the Unemployed Bum...

1.What’s your favorite city in Italy?

Ravy: Cinque Terre
Chunger: Florence

2.If you could use only one word to describe Italy, what would it be?

Ravy: Unforgettable
Chunger: Inspirational

3.Fill in the blank. Italian food in Italy was _____.

Ravy: Overall, surprisingly mediocre
Chunger: On average, disappointing

4.Fill in the blank. Italian women are _________.

Ravy: Trendy (or at least the majority are)
Chunger: Didn’t even look (yeah right, Ravy says)

5.Your most memorable/unforgettable experience in Italy was?

Ravy: Seeing & exploring St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time
Chunger: Seeing Vatican City

6.Least favorite landmark/monument?

Ravy: Spanish Steps in Rome
Chunger: Ruins of Pompeii

7.One thing you didn’t like about Italy?

Ravy: The hidden “cover charge” costs at restaurants
Chunger: Tourist information centres

8.Milan or Paris?

Ravy: Paris (and no Natty, not just because you were there with us)
Chunger: Paris

9.City you could have done without?

Ravy: Naples
Chunger: Naples hands down

10.City you didn’t get to see this time but would love to visit next time?

Ravy: Bologna
Chunger: Bologna & Palermo

11.What you won’t miss about Italy?

Ravy: The carbs!
Chunger: The late trains

12.What is your favorite art piece?

Ravy: The ceiling of Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo
Chunger: The sculpture Pieta by Michelangelo

13.What was better: hiking Mt. Etna or hiking Cinque Terre?

Ravy: Hiking Cinque Terre
Chunger: Hiking Cinque Terre

14.Pizza or pasta?

Ravy: Pasta
Chunger: Pasta

15.Cappucino/latte or vino?

Ravy: No brainer – vino of course
Chunger: Vino

16.Michelangelo or Raphael?

Ravy: Michelangelo
Chunger: Michelangelo

17.Last Supper or Last Judgment?

Ravy: Last Judgment
Chunger: Last Judgment

18.If you could revisit one city in Italy, which one would you choose?

Ravy: Verona because we didn’t give it enough time
Chunger: Florence

19.If you could do it again, what would you leave out?

Ravy: The heavy bags
Chunger: Naples & Genoa

20.Worst hotel in Italy that we stayed at?

Ravy: Naples – more so for its neighborhood than the actual room
Chunger: Naples

**PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE IN SEPARATE BUNK BEDS!!

Lost and Found in Venice

Venice and romance seem to go hand in hand. How can it not?? The city is bombarded with beautiful sparkling water canals, picturesque bridges which seem to pop up around every corner, NO TRAFFIC except for the sight of the boats and gondolas gliding across the water and some of the most beautiful and breathtaking sights in all of Italy. No wonder at times one can easily get confused between reality and fantasy. Although one can easily get lost (even with a good map) amongst the maze of narrow alleys, streets, and dead ends which take you to the water’s edge with nowhere to go, it is a city where getting lost can be advantageous as finding your way again can reveal some of the hidden treasures of Venice. You just never know what or whom you might find around the next corner….

We left bright and early from Milan on the 6am train, which would take us to our last stop in Italy, Venice!!!! It took us a little over 3 hours to reach our destination, one of our shorter train rides and we were hoping to find accommodation rather quickly so we could enjoy all Venice had to offer in our short three days here.

We had read in the Lonely Planet that the rooms in Venice are one of the most expensive in all of Italy (which is what they had also said about Milan as well) but this time we were a little more concerned about cost and finding a room. We had done some of our own research online prior to arriving and had received email responses from one and two star Venice hotels, offering room rates of 85 Euros and above for a double with shared bathroom. We figured we’d try our luck when we arrived and could only hope for the best.

As Chris headed to the hotel accommodation booking office in the train station, I snuck into the tourist office to inquire about budget accommodation. As I came out and started to scan the handy booklet they offered, the ‘typical’ long brown haired Italian ‘Fabio’ approached me stating he owned a hotel 8 minutes from the train station and could offer us a double room at 50 Euros a night with shared bathroom. I was unsure as to whether or not to trust Fabio (no matter how charming and suave he was), as my initial gut instincts did not seem to kick into gear as they usually do when I am scoping out these kinds of ‘salesmen’. After Chris came back and advised me that the booking office could only find us a hotel on the island of Lido (part of Venice but a bit of a ways away from the centre) for over 100 Euros, we quickly changed our minds and figured we’d check out Fabio’s lair and take it from there. Lucky for us, the place was clean, quaint and had a very old traditional feel to it with its wooden floors and late 15th century furniture in the rooms. We happily checked in and were eager to explore the streets and canals of Venice and explore we did….

Welcome to Venice and the Grand Canal – the main “traffic” artery of Venice although this is 100 times quieter than it normally is in the summer months.

What one sees as soon as they get out of the train station, yup, pretty breathtaking. This bridge called the Scalzi is one of only three bridges that cross the Grand Canal.

Venice is interestingly built on 117 islands with 150 odd canals and over 400 bridges, of which, yes, only 3 cross the Grand Canal. Go Canucks Go!!

Oh and how can I forget the “pimped” out gondolas!! These can be found everywhere in Venice and they ain’t cheap. A 35 minute ride can easily cost you $80 Euros.

A definite image of Venice – these Carnevale masks can be found everywhere

Some more elaborate than others

The famous Rialto Bridge – the only bridge that used to cross the Grand Canal at one time, today it is home to many photo clicking tourists and vendors selling jewelry, masks and glass products

Piazza San Marco and its basilica dominate this large square which is almost always flooded with tourists, pigeons and sometimes even water itself as it is the lowest point in Venice and the first place to flood when tides rise.

I figured I’d give ONE or TWO pigeons some bread, I wasn’t expecting a whole FLOCK of them to attack me. The pic here is tame but when they started to land on all parts of my body and two were vying for my head, I started to wonder if this was a good idea after all. At least Chris was having a grand old time laughing his head off. Definitely a fun square to just sit and people watch.

A close up of San Marco Basilica which was built in the 10th century to house the body of St. Mark the Evangelist. The imposing interior was breathtaking with its wealth of sculptures and paintings. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside.

The façade features five portals, all of which are richly decorated with splendid marble and mosaics such as this one.

One of many signs that can be found in Venice in hopes to help tourists find their way but as you can see, they can sometimes be very confusing. But like I said before, getting lost sometimes can be the best thing.

San Giorgio Maggiore Church along with the white Fondazione Giorgio Cini (home of cultural institutions and temporary exhibitions) can be found on San Giorgio Maggiore Island across the waters from San Marco square. Unfortunately we didn’t get any time to cross the waters to see them up close.

A lone gondola waiting for lovers

The Castello area…this is an area adjacent to the Grand Canal which leads to San Marco and the bell tower which can be seen in the far distance. A wonderful place to take a stroll and stop along one of the many cafes for a cup of java.

One of many beautiful images of Venice

Despite the cool temperatures, the sun was out the entire time we were in Venice.

The city is definitely magical as we were lucky enough to “find” Chris’ uncle Sam and cousin Lisa from Vancouver. We were sitting down enjoying a cappuccino in one of the many cafes that line the canals when Chris spotted his uncle and cousin walking by. Talk about small world. We spent a couple of hours chit chatting and getting to know them better.

Another image of Venice

The third bridge that crosses the Grand Canal – not much to this one but the view on the other side of it is what’s worth crossing it. In the distance, you can see the famous Santa Maria della Salute Church

A small sample of the many beautiful rococo Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance palaces that line the Grand Canal. A great way to see this all is by taking vaporetto No. 1 (their version of a metro in a city) which goes all the way from the train station to St. Marco Square. A much more expensive way to get a taste of all of this is of course the gondola option.

Another means of transport. This is the traghetto which is basically a public gondola but much much cheaper and where everyone has to stand. These gondolas are used to cross the Grand Canal in between the bridges as the 3 bridges which do cross the Grand Canal are quite a ways apart.

A close up of the Palazzo Ducale – what was the official residence of the royal family and Palace of Justice. The exterior is of Venetian Gothic style with refined decorations with symbols and allegoric motifs, capitals and sculptures. This sits along the Grand Canal in the same square of San Marco.

This is the Ponte dei Sospiri – the Bridge of Sighs which connects the palace (to the left) to the old dungeons (to the right) and evokes romantic images, possibly through its association with Casanova, a Venetian native who languished in the cells.

A perfect shot with the reflection of the bridge and buildings in the calm clear waters. Along the sides of the banks, you can see the Venetians’ form of transport, not automobiles but boatmobiles.

The Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in the San Polo quarter of Venice is one of the most sacred buildings in Venice for the wealth of artworks that it houses such as Titian’s Altarpeice of the Assumption and Bellini’s Triptych of the Virgin and Saints. There are more than 125 churches in Venice which makes bumping into one in your travels inevitable.

There is unfortunately not much greenery in Venice at all. Trees are sparse but when we found this one, it reminded us of the rich colors of Autumn.

My huney on one of the bridges with a view of the Grand Canal and Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background

One of many colorful window shops selling home made Venetian glass – the most popular being Murano glass. In addition to the masks and glass products - marbled paper, luscious velvet fabrics and hand bound books are Venice’s other specialties.

So romantic and so many….should we or shouldn’t we???

Yup, we did!! We splurged on ourselves and did do the touristy gondola ride. I was able to bargain the price down a bit and the $70 Euros we paid was well worth the splurge.

An image on our gondola ride as we turned the corner of a small canal

The gondola ride was quiet, serene and very peaceful as we went on a Sunday when the waterways are much more quieter as most of the locals are at home with their families and many companies are closed. Views like this and a bottle of white wine we drank in 35 minutes are bound to make your head spin (more so for Rav than pro Chunger)!

Happy customers at the end of the ride!!

You get them in every city…street entertainers of course. Normally, I like to stop and watch them as I find them entertaining but these ones I kinda found creepy and scary. The masks are not as “nice” when they’re on someone who is all dressed up and pointing their finger at you to come their way.

Another great shot of the Grand Canal and the beautiful buildings that line it.

How can one not fall in love when in Venice

The sun setting behind one of the churches lining the Grand Canal.

Bumping into the family once again before they were off on their train to Paris. Twice in one day…again, what are the chances.

Good night Venice

Despite the time of season and the cold weather, we figured we’d have Venice all to ourselves but boy, were we wrong. We are quickly learning that there are tourists everywhere, at all times of the year and Venice was no exception. The streets and major sites were packed with visitors day and night, which only made us wonder what it must be like to travel through this country during the busy summer months.

In spite of having to share Venice with more tourists than I was hoping for, Venice was exactly what I pictured and imagined it to be - a gateway to romance and love – I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to a majestic time in Italy.

This post is dedicated to my amour – the man who puts a smile on my face every day and fills my heart with love.

I love you C!!

Ravy the Roamer