Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Jina's Venice Videos: Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and Gondolas




Today we visit the famous Piazza San Marco in Venice. When was I putting together this blog, I thought about the comment my fellow Naughty Author Chick Wynter Daniels made last week: she was a fab photo of her grandmother in St. Mark's from the 1920s (Love to see it, Wynter!).

It's mind blowing to imagine the history that has taken place here over the centuries...

Napoleon likened the Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square to being the best drawing room in Europe, while others have called it everything from a fantastic stage set to a vast museum.

No doubt the piazza is the most famous Venice landmark known for its pigeons and tourists.

I remember one cold winter trip I took to Venice when the whole city seemed to be enveloped in a misty fog until the arrival of Carneval, carnival. Then the piazza came alive with the living, vibrant colors and exquisite beauty of the costumed figures in masks and dominos appearing like ghosts from out of the past…




What you’re about to see in my video is Venice on a June day when the summer heat sucked the moisture out of the air, but not the tourists.

You’ll see the square packed with people all vying for position with their cameras. A grand sight.



Then we’ll check out the gondolas.

I didn’t have time to take a gondola ride on this trip, but you’ll get an idea of the wild craziness that goes on around the gondola station. Next time I’ll hop on a gondola and get the shot for you.

Promesso
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Venice, Italy: St. Mark's Square (Piazza di San Marco) and gondolas from Jina on Vimeo.



Coming up in my next Venice Video: Venice bookstores and gelati shops

Click on links below if you've missed previous postos re: Jina's Venice Videos:


Venice, Italy: Jina takes you on a tour of Hotel Saturnia

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8 comments:

Michelle Polaris said...

I loved my gondola rides at Piazza San Marco. They are truly highlights of Venice. You may be long to go back more with each post Jina. Thank you. A little longing is good for the soul.

Wynter said...

I love all of your Venice lore. I searched for that picture - discovered my parents have the album. I will get them to scan and send.

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

I'm jealous! Someday maybe we'll make it to Venice. I'd love to go there.

Ash

Jina Bacarr said...

Michelle, you're right about wanting to hit the road again coming back at you. A little longing IS good for the soul...but staying home is good for the bank account! (Gotta save those pennies, I mean, euros...)

Jina Bacarr said...

Wynter, if you can get a jpeg of the photo, I'd love to add it to a future Venice post!

Jina Bacarr said...

Ashlyn, you're really going to enjoy next week -- bookstores -- the indie kind -- and creamy gelato!

Naima Simone said...

A gondola ride is something I've always wanted to experience. It just seems so romantic! *sigh* I'll have it one day! *fingers crossed and eyes squeezed shut*

Jina Bacarr said...

Naima, you're right about the gondola ride. Very romantic. Best time is late afternoon when a hush comes over the city as Venice gets ready for a night of carnival and secret trysts!