TRICIA STEVENS
PERSPECTIVES
ITALY
Pasta, Pasta, Pasta! Singing gondoliers navigating the narrow canals of Venice, the medieval atmosphere of Florence, an endless amount of pizza options, and too many gelato flavours to choose from. Italy could take years to fully explore. Plan to put on some weight when visiting this carb-filled country but it will all be worth it (and you'll burn it all off after hours of wandering the streets!).
ABSOLUTE MUSTS
Burano
Famous for its brightly coloured houses, Burano is a dream. Located in the Venetian Lagoon, this is an easy day (or half day) trip away from the crowds of Venice but an even better idea is to spend at least one night on the island. The traditional bright colours relate to the island’s heritage as a fishing village. The bright colors made it easier for returning fishermen to find their homes in the thick fog of the lagoon. Burano is still a quiet village with about 2,000 residents.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is the most famous bridge in Florence and was the only bridge crossing over the Arno River until 1218. During World War II it was the only bridge across the river that the fleeing Germans did not destroy. When the Nazi forces started to retreat in late 1944, each and every bridge in the city had been destroyed. There have been shops found along the Ponte Vecchio since the 13th century. There were butchers and fishmongers and tanners (not just jewelers as seen today). Butchers would dump their waste into the river, making the bridge a place to avoid, or just to run errands. In 1953 it all changed when the Medici family moved in across the river and began to use the bridge often to get around the city. It was the Medici’s who converted the bridge into a destination for jewelers and gold salesmen.
St. Peter's Basilica & The Sistine Chapel
This stunning church was built in Vatican City within the city of Rome. St. Peter’s is the largest church in the world and most famous work of Renaissance architecture. It is also regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines. It is said that the basilica is the burial site of the Saint Peter and his tomb is supposedly directly under the high altar. St. Peter’s is a famous place of pilgrimage and St. Peter’s Square can hold up to 80,000 people.
The Sistine Chapel is famous for its Renaissance frescoes by Michelangelo. Its interior walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes by several Florentine Renaissance masters. The Sistine Chapel is the site of the principal papal ceremonies and is used by the Sacred College of Cardinals for their election of a new pope when there is a vacancy.
Piazza Navona
Originally built in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races, this open-air square is lined with cafes, three stunning fountains, and the Sant’Angese in Agone Church. In the late 19th century the square was at times flooded during the summer months and used for aquatic games and staged naval battles. Admire the artists and entertainers who gather in the square but visit in the morning or during low-tourist season for fewer crowds.Â
Wander the Streets
of Trastevere
Trastevere is a charming district in Rome, across the Tibor River, offering a medieval feel away from the larger crowds. Its quiet cobblestone streets lined with quaint cafes and shops will have you exploring for hours. It’s lively nightlife provides no shortage of places to dine or enjoy a beverage while people watching.Â
Get Lost in Venice
This incredible island city will transport you into another world when you first set on eyes on it. Its canals and narrow streets have stopped the invasion of automobiles and its more than 200 canals have been linked together to form a dense built up city on either side of the Grand Canal. The width of the canal is anywhere from 100 to 225 feet and is lined with buildings that were once the palaces of great merchant families and the public warehouses.
