Ponte di Rialto is probably the... (click for full caption)

Venice! I have to say that this is a most remarkable city.  I almost skipped it on this trip, as it’s quite a bit out of the way, tucked up in the northeastern corner of the country.  That would have been a pity.  So, I already had a rough idea of what this city is all about: built on the water, famous for canals and gondolas.  What I guess I never quite realized is that this city is completely devoid of vehicles other than boats.  There are no cars, trucks, trains, delivery vehicles, horses, or even bicycles!  It is a completely pedestrian city.  Garbage collectors and delivery men have to carry their loads on push carts between boat and destination.  Still, they must operate mostly (more…)