Italia

In advance of your summer vacation - I thought you might like this short read about the Bel Paese. No matter where you are headed this is a good place to start.

It is made up of 126 islands sitting in the shallow waters of the Venetian Lagoon, an enclosed bay between the mouths of the Po and Piave rivers.  Most of the city is linked by 472 bridges.

Its founding was in the 10th century BC (I can’t even imagine), as a Republic it lasted from 810-1797.  Its sovereignty ended at the hand of Napoleon in 1797.  It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.  Interestingly enough Goldman Sachs was established in New York three years later in 1869.  The two occurrences are not linked in any way other than a humorous anecdote.  The city was at its height of influence in the Middle Ages as the financial power broker between the East and the West.

It is the best way to enter The Bel Paese (Italia).    Land at the Marco Polo International Airport – collect your bag and take a pleasant 15-minute walk to the boats.  You used to walk outside but now it is an inside walk with the remodeled airport.  You hire a taxi and you are on your way.  This is not an ordinary taxi ---- this is a speed boat.  The kind you want to drive.    As you speed your way across open water, the captain dodges the other boats and takes the jarring out of the oncoming waves.  Your boat slows as you this medieval city rises from the water and soon you are drifting through the canals of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and certainly the most unique

VENEZIA

The city is barely visible on the horizon as you look across the expanse of the lagoon.   On a clear day you see the Alps rising to the north.  You are not crammed into a taxi built for the height challenged.  You climb down into the boat.  There is a confident arrogance about the drivers as they are masters of their craft.   The amazing maneuvers the pilots can do with these boats is nothing short of amazing.

 After a long flight you are soothed by the experience of sitting at water level in your speed boat racing across the open water as the sun is setting.  The colors of days end reflect in the sky and the water. You are heading to the most beautiful city in the world.  Suddenly the speed of the boat is reduced to a slow glide as the captain turns into the first canal in this magical city.  There is too much to look at.  No skyscrapers but buildings preserved for years, struggling to adapt to the modern world.  Everything is done by boat.  No cars here. Think of all it takes to run a city --- delivery, movers, garbage, police, ambulances all of this is done by boat.  The amazing pilots of these watercraft are able to weave in and out of each other and accomplish what we only thought could be accomplished with four wheels and pavement. Your taxi ride is the best tour.  There is no dialogue just the sound of the boat as you glide along allowing your senses to tour the city.  It is this amazing slow orchestration of daily activity against a backdrop of a city that has existed for centuries.  You have arrived at the dock of your hotel.  It feels as if you have already had the best experience but there is more….

Buon Viaggio….