Two Days in Venice – Italy’s Famous City of Canals
In the Veneto Region of Italy, partially submerged in the murky waters of the Adriatic sea, rests one of the most romantic and renowned places in all of Europe – Venice. The heart of this Venetian lagoon has no roads above water and, outside of its raised walking paths, its winding canals can be traversed only by boat. The area of Venice is actually a group of intriguing islands, where art and history are said to come alive. Combined with old trades and the beauty of the sea, this priceless treasure is a must-see World Heritage (UNESCO) site.
The hotel Villa Barbarich in Venice
It wasn’t just any old occasion that brought us to Venice, it was the final leg of our fabulous honeymoon. Considering that, I did a lot of research before choosing the hotel for our Venetian getaway. Just 15 minutes from Venice, the Villa Barbarich was an amazing resort . The hotel, featuring all sorts of great amenities, is actually a renovated 16th century villa. For anybody who appreciates history with elegance, this place is certain to please!
The quickest way to get around Venice is always by watercraft.
If you’ve never had the privilege of visiting this lovely floating city, keep on scrolling down. Big John will take you on a tour through my vivid collection of photos. This ride is a whole lot cheaper than one of the pricey gondolas; although, if given the option, I seriously recommend you see it by boat. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Italy, Venice by Big John with 1 comment.
When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do
They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Having never been in Rome before, I wasn’t quite sure what it is that they do. It only took me about 5 minutes after arriving in the city to tell you what it is that Romans don’t do. Romans don’t use turn signals, they don’t yield to oncoming traffic, and they definitely don’t get stuck in a “bus/taxi only” lane while driving aimlessly around the same circle for over an hour – that last one is what I do!
Well, after all of that senseless nonsense, I hope Romans “do” a lot of walking. I threw away my international drivers license, triple-parked the Alfa Romeo I rented, and Rebecca and I explored the entire city on foot. Despite it all, we actually had an amazing time and took plenty of pictures along the way. I hope you like our photographic journey through Rome.
I believe this lady needs a tour guide. Too bad she’s stuck with me! (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe, Historical Journeys and tagged Italy, Rome by Big John with no comments yet.
Summer Scenes in the Port City of Ibiza
Of all the Balearic islands, Ibiza is the one that most often comes to mind when considering that go-to-place for some serious fun in the sun. This archipelago of Spain is well known for its lively nightlife, electronic music, and spectacular beaches. The island has become a playground for the rich and famous from around the globe; attracting the likes of Justin Bieber, Orlando Bloom, and more. But if the party scene isn’t exactly your thing, don’t allow Ibiza’s rambunctious reputation to steer you clear from her friendly shores. Ibiza is also home to quiet villages, superb restaurants, great shopping, and an entire fortified city full of fascinating history.
It was a beautiful summer day in June when Rebecca and I took to exploring the streets of this Mediterranean hotspot. With a Spanish sun bearing down on us hard, tanktops and shorts became the order of the day! (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Ibiza, Spain by Big John with 1 comment.
Trailing Beauty along the Cinque Terre
Undoubtedly, one of the most important things about traveling to a new place is knowing exactly how to get there. When Rebecca and I hopped on the La Spezia station train heading for Italy‘s famed Cinque Terre, it wasn’t that I didn’t know which train to take. It was really more of a question as to where I needed to get off. Since men are notorious for never asking directions, my male ego ending up costing us a good two hours and some pretty tired feet. We overshot our stop completely and ended up disembarking a few miles up from our intended target area. With limited time to spare already, our exploration of the Cinque Terre was considerably shorter than we originally planned it to be.
Big John at the La Spezia Central Railway Station
The Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands”, is a rugged stretch of coastline situated along the Italian Riviera. The entire area is comprised of five cities that are close enough that one could walk from one to the other. That is if one didn’t mind taking long walks in one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth. The coastline, hillsides, and five cities are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Of the five cities of Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare was the only city Rebecca and I got to spend any real time in. For that reason alone, this area is definitely on our “Must Return” list. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Cinque Terre, Italy, Monterosso by Big John with no comments yet.
Monkeying around on Gibraltar
The Rock of Gibraltar was referred to by the ancient Romans as the Pillars of Hercules. Legend has it that Hercules pushed up this massive rock out of the water, along with another pillar known as Jebel Musa , and narrowed the strait. This musclebound deity was said to have constructed these promontories to prevent any nefarious sea-monsters from entering the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic. While Rebecca and I didn’t run into any sea serpents on our voyage to the rock, we soon discovered that the entire place was inhabited by creatures of an entirely different kind.
Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the rock fell to Muslim Moorish rule in 711 A.D. After exchanging ownership numerous times throughout history, Gibraltar was eventually ceded to Britain from Spain in 1713. By the end of the 18th century, the Rock of Gibraltar had endured fourteen bloody sieges in a period of 500 years. Although Gibraltar borders the Southern coast of Spain, the British were quick to realize that the rock offered a strategic naval advantage that they were willing to pay any price to keep. By the onset of the 20th century, the Rock of Gibraltar had become England’s most important possession in all of the Mediterranean. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe, Historical Journeys and tagged British, Rock of Gibraltar by Big John with no comments yet.