Let's go to Venice!

            Venice, Italy, the city of water, I don’t think I can ever forget about this place. The Venetian Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Macau SAR, China merely served it justice.   I personally prefer Venice over Rome because I found Venice more romantic and more relaxing. I respect the beauty of both cities but Venice had that magical power that captured me.

Enjoying coffee at Cafe Florian 

-A cup of 15€ coffee. I loved enjoying coffee at Café Florian, the oldest coffee house in Italy. Café Florian was established in 1720 at the St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). While a small cup of cappuccino cost a steep price of 9 Euro (12 USD), I enjoyed every sip of it. I was also sitting at the outdoor seats and listening to a live orchestra performance. Café Florian adds a 6 Euro (8 USD) music fee to your coffee. So this cup of cappuccino cost 15 Euro (20 USD). I didn’t mind paying for this cup of coffee because the environment and service was worth every penny. I enjoyed this experience so much because as I get older, I have less time to sit down and simply enjoy life.

-Gondola Ride. Despite the fact that the water didn’t smell inviting on a hot summer day in August, nothing was more perfect than traveling through this city on a Gondola. I remember the difference of riding a Gondola in Vegas and in Venice. There’s really no comparison. You will see the vibrant colors on the house, a taxi on water, flowers hanging from the balcony, and the intricate designs on bridges.

a small shop near the St. Mark's Square

-Getting lost. You should try putting away the GPS and step into the neighborhoods in Venice. There’s magic and beauty everywhere. Take the time to explore the city and you will find amazing view. I love explore the ordinary alleyways and take pictures. I also enjoyed standing in front of the displace windows of Masquerade mask shops to look at masks.

-Venice is sinking. Similar to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea area, Venice is sinking. In the news article posted on NBC News website, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California stated that Venice is sinking at a rate of up to two millimeters (0.08 inches) per year. Venice is also tilting at a rate of 1 or 2 millimeter eastward per year. It is likely that Venice might disappear in the near future if the Italian government doesn’t act on it fast.

            Venice is a place full of magic and romance. You can find interesting things everywhere you go as long as you give this city the respect it deserves. I wish I can grab my bags and go to Venice right now. Will you come with me?