My favourite city.

@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
January 29, 2017 8:49am CST
I am surprised I have never written about the most beautiful city in the world. Although many may disagree with me but my most favourite place of all to visit is Venice. Venice is a collection of islands. in fact a collection of 117 little islands in the Adriatic sea. The islands are connected by 409 bridges and walkways but essentially there are hundreds of canals that are used in a similar way as roads. The canals lead to the houses and Palaces where people lived. Some of these palaces were quite opulent.The foundations of the buildings are built on stilt like wood that support the building. The wood used is Alder wood which tends not to rot in the water. Some of these wooden piles are hundreds of years old. Venice is sinking mainly due to the tidal flow of water which has washed away some of the sand and silt but also the many boats that cause a wash to pound against the buildings. In some areas, the speed limit is reduced to reduce the devastation on the buildings and foundations. There are some other islands within the Venice Lagoon which are important in their own rights. For example, Murano is famous for its glass and pieces can be very expensive indeed. It is amazing to watch glass being formed into intricate shapes by the artisan. To travel around Venice is quite unique there are water buses, Gondola and water taxis that will take you wherever you wish to go. The police ambulance and fire brigade all have their own boats which can move pretty fast around the city and its 177 canals. Deliveries are made by boat too. It is stunning to have breakfast on a balcony of a hotel along the grand canal watching Venice come to life. Seeing people going about their daily business and going to work. On the tiny islands, there are small alleyways that are like an ant nest and each time you turn a corner you are treated to amazing sights. The main tourist attraction of Venice is of course, the Piazza San Marco housing San Marco Basilica, San Marco Bell tower, The Doges palace and St Marks square. Here the square is surrounded by pavement cafes usually with an accompanying small orchestra where you can pay around £17 pound for a coffee. You pay for the music being provided by the band whether you like it or not. This tourist trap is certainly something to avoid because if you go through the back streets of Venice there are some delightful and cheaper trattoria where the prices are much cheaper and less painful on the wallet. Between 09:00 and around 17:00 the islands are invaded by tourists who come in by train, car and from the masssive cruise ships. However before and after this time when they all head back to wherever they came from you are left to enjoy and soak up the atmosphere of Venice. I will write a few articles on different things in Venice to see if I can persuade you that it is a beautiful place. So now I have told you my most favourite city in the world. Where is yours and what do you find so special about it?
23 people like this
23 responses
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jan 17
I probably have not been to enough major cities of the world to really judge. Stockholm is nice. Rome not so nice. I love Paris but that's because of history and just liking French stuff. Perhaps the loveliest city I have been to is Amsterdam with the canals and wonderful quaint old buildings.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
It is quite funny how each of us form our own opinions about different places. I love to soak up the culture of each place I visit. The food, the smells, the culture, the architecture and the people make these places unique. If you liked Amsterdam I think you would fall in love with Venice.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I am sure I would find Venice interesting. Does it smell? I heard its smell because the water is stagnant.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
@JohnRoberts Some say it does although it is tidal. Each time I have visited I guess I have just been fortunate as there was no smell each time but it was quite humid. In winter the tides can leave St Marks square underwater.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Jan 17
It is also my preferred city. I even considered to buy a house in Venice to retire. Not sure now that I am restoring a large old house, but who knows ?
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
30 Jan 17
@LadyDuck Even from Venice ? I went there several times without a problem, and there are always new exhibitions to visit and many international events. It is a great city.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
30 Jan 17
@topffer Go there like a tourist and you will be happy. We were finally respected "a little bit", when we moved to France and went to Italy with a "non Italian" plate. It is well known that Italians respect more the others than their own population.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
30 Jan 17
Stay away from Italy if you want to live a peaceful retirement.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jan 17
I found it quite amusing while riding around the canals in a gondola and seeing traffic signs standing out of the canals on poles.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I went while I was young and took a girl with me, so it was imperative to take her in a gondola. I could not take a lady to Venice without having a gondola ride, so if I could not have afforded it at the time I would have taken her to Spain or Greece instead.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
ON my meagre budget I am afraid I could not afford to ride in a gondola but I could only afford the Traghetto!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
@Asylum Flashing the cash eh as opposed to my 1 euro ride across the grand canal in the Traghetto
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 Jan 17
It sounds fascinating and I would love to see the "Tiny Islands" I can see why its your favorite. I don't have a favorite, I have traveled around the US, Canada, and the islands in the Caribbean but not outside of that. I loved every city and town I visited.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
The only place I did not really like was Portugal and someone defriended me for saying so. Silly woman. We will not all like the same things. I am more in your court I usually love any new place I visit.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
29 Jan 17
It's one of my most favorite cities in the world!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
It is so intriguing and the food is phenomenal.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
@DianneN We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience these and other places Dianne.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
29 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I must agree!
1 person likes this
• Finland
29 Jan 17
I always feel so happy in Amsterdam. People are so nice and friendly. Also historical city it's interesting
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jan 17
The guide on the canal barge that I took told us that Amsterdam has more canalways than Venice.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
Amsterdam is a pretty little city with the canals and architecture. The people are very friendly!
1 person likes this
• Finland
29 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 yes but I get lost easily there because all the bridges and houses look so much alike
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
4 Feb 17
I hope to get there some day. I haven't really visited enough cities to have a favorite yet.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 17
@garymarsh6 That is why I want to visit Europe.. much more history than we have here. I'd love to see Notre Dame!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
5 Feb 17
@katsmeow1213 Notre Dame is nice in fact there are many nice places to visit in Paris. The Sacre Couer is a wonderful church built high above Paris on top of a hill. The views across Paris are wonderful.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 17
I hope you do. It is a beautiful place but then throughout Europe, there are very historical and marvellous architecture some hundreds of years old.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
30 Jan 17
Our conducted tour of Europe took us to a few cities in Italy and Venice was one of them I particularly liked those water buses which was kind of a new experience. Who can forget St.Marks Square with pigeons sitting all over us pecking at the feed right from our hands. I can go on and on. The only thing I did not try was that gondola ride as I found the water to be dirty.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
That Ganges can be just even dirtier in places. The brown colour of the water in places is due to the sand mixed in with the tidal water. It is clear water in some places. But I am glad you liked Venice too.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 17
@allknowing OH yes very true.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
30 Jan 17
I love Quebec City, it stole my heart when I was a child and I never tire of visiting there and London is second. Quebec is my roots and London has so much fascinating history.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 You will like it, it is like Brussels on two levels and very French!! Lots of historic buildings and the only walled city in North America. Can you tell I love it? My ancestors founded it!!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
@BelleStarr How wonderful. I always said I wanted to visit and one day I shall and when I do I will think of your!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
Another city I would love to visit. Quebec, It is on my list too!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
30 Jan 17
I like Florence, I like Rome, but I have never liked Venice. I have been there several times and every time I have this feeling of sadness inside me as soon as I put my foot there. All the chandeliers in the apartment of my mother are made with Murano glass, she loves.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
31 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I know that those chandeliers are pretty expensive and I told to my mother not to let anyone to touch them, because last year she called someone to clean the house and they have broken one flower of one of them.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
Ooh they will be worth a bob or two Anna as Murano glass is so expensive. I am going to Florence at Easter so I shall let you know what I think about it. I loved Rome but I do like Venice.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
24 Feb 17
Venice is one of my favourite cities as well and luckily I have been there twice and hopefully visit it one more time. I found my hubby to be too hasty while going through Venice and he forgot to see every little detail in the bridges, the waterways, the frame work of the windows, the smells of the coffee shops and deli's - one has to do Venice slowly . . . soak up all it has to offer. The fish market made me a little queasy
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
24 Feb 17
@garymarsh6 thats for sure - great way of explaining that fish smell - hundreds of years old indeed
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
24 Feb 17
Oh yes. The fish market is hundreds of years old. I think the smell of the fish is hundreds of years old too! An unforgettable smell but yes you need to absorb everything about Venice the sights the smells the sounds and the feel. All your senses kick into play in this beautiful city!
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Jan 17
I have not traveled much but did grow up in an outer borough of New York City so I guess that would have to be my choice. Traveling was never in the cards for me which I regret when I read so many interesting things here from world travelers. Venice sounds amazing & you gave a nice guided tour with your post.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 you did a fantastic job of painting a vivid picture of Venice and I really enjoyed it
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
@Marilynda1225 I shall write about some of the wonderful buildings there. They are stunningly beautiful.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
Just being in America is beautiful. There is so much to see there! I hope it has conjured up a picture in your mind!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
Your post bought back some lovely memories of walking down alleyways barely wide enough for us and our wheeled cases. We sat on the balcony and watched the 'garbage boats' picking up rubbish here and there. We watched three and four gondolas manoeuvring their way past each other round a corner. It's an amazing place.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
It is amazing to watch daily life going on. I love it!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 17
@JudyEv NO it is a working city. People live and work there it is a means of getting around.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I always thought there were just gondolas on the canals, not rubbish collectors, postmen, delivery boys, etc. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 17
I've always wanted to visit Venice! It seems absolutely breathtaking! :-) I was born in Germany and they have some gorgeous cities. Bamberg is the city I was born in and the building are beautiful. Some of them have statues and paintings on the side. :-)
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
There are some beautiful buildings and palaces in and around Bamberg in fact I love the architecture of Bavaria. It looks fantastic. I bet you miss your home town!
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I do! I haven't been back in years! :-(
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
30 Jan 17
You make Venice sound so wonderful. My favorite city is Galway, Ireland. I don't know why - it's been years since I was there. In the United States, I like San Francisco. I lived there for many years and it was great.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
Ooh I Love San Francisco. I left my heart there you know! Beautiful city!
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110754)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Jan 17
Places here are so far apart that all I actually know is El Paso and the surrounding area .... so far I don't like cities at all, I do however love my mountains and have found Ruidoso NM to be pleasing. Did you take that picture? It's really beautiful .
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
Yes, I took the photo it is taken from Piazza San Marco looking over to the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
30 Jan 17
I was in Venice and it was a very beautiful country to visit.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
It is a wonderful and very historical site.
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
I've never been there, and I hope it doesn't sink before I get the chance. I've heard people say that the smell is not very pleasant - is that so? In general I'm not too keen on cities and don't think I have a favourite.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
It has never smelt when I have visited Janet. Every corner you turn the views just take your breath away it is beautiful. I love the place.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (72494)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jan 17
Haven't traveled that much. My hometown is NYC and that is saying a lot. As much as I want to return or visit NY again one day my absolute favorite place is where I spent my happiest childhood summers in the Catskill Mountains. I do find your post on Venice interesting so I will look forward to reading more from you.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (72494)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 I already have quite a few posts written about Riga and Latvia. I will write some more about other cities and places.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 17
Thank you. Riga is full of history I think? It will be nice to hear your stories too!
@just4him (303324)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Jan 17
Venice sounds beautiful. I look forward to reading more about it. I haven't been to a favorite place yet, but as soon as I find it, I will let you know.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
All places are beautiful in their own way!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303324)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jan 17
@garymarsh6 Yes they are.
1 person likes this