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Venetian Water Bus – Perfect for Getting Around the City

October 18, 2014

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Venetian Water Bus – Perfect for Getting Around the City

In the historic center of Venice, water buses are a unique and well-used means of transportation. Since travel is by water, you won’t be surrounded by tour buses, cars and ground taxis, as is the case in many tourist meccas.

Water buses travel to various points in town and even to some of the 100 outlying islands. The fleet includes 150 boats, with routes that extend into even the farthest Venetian Lagoon corners.

Vaporetto and Motoscafo on the Grand Canal

Although you could walk to most points of interest in Venice, taking Venetian Water Bus is a unique mode of travel that will enthrall you. They are especially of value if you are staying on one of the islands of Venice.

Visiting the islands of the local lagoon, you may watch glassmaking on the island of Murano. Venetian Water Bus provide a pleasant Grand Canal cruise of nearly an hour. If you have been walking all day, sightseeing, the water buses will show you through elegant canals and back to your hotel.

What You Should Know

Riding a motonave, motoscafo or vaporetto, the local water buses in the city of Venice, is no more complicated than taking city buses or subways in any town.

Waterbus stops can be found on maps of Venice, and you will no doubt see signs pointing them out if you do some sightseeing on land. The floating platforms are yellow and white, and quite easily recognized. Make sure you are on a landing for the line you wish to take. There may be multiple platforms at larger stops.

Purchase a Pass or Ticket

You may purchase 12-hour to one week Tourist Travel Cards of Venetian Water Bus tickets at any local ticket booth. Some large stops also have ticket machines. There is also the tourist version of the city pass for Venezia Unica, which will gain you admittance to city museums and public restrooms.

The Streets and Alleys of Venice

Venice is at its heart a maze of narrow, twisting streets and blind alleys. On the Venetian Water Bus, you will enjoy the relaxation of a trip to San Marco, on the Grand Canal. Grand old homes and Gothic palaces dot the Grand Canal, and, unless you enjoy walking, viewing them from a water bus will be much more relaxing.

Gondolas are used mainly for the experience in Venice. They will give you a romantic ride, but if you want to go somewhere, you’ll need a water bus. Things move slowly in Venice, and you may find that you enjoy the pace. Realistically, enjoying the sights and getting from one point to another is an experience to savor. As you gaze at the sights, you won’t mind the slow speed.

Vaporetto are your best choice for longer trips in Venice, and will carry you to the islands in the area. Motoscafu are protected from rain and wind, and they travel outside the more sheltered Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basin and Guidecca Canal. Single-deck motonave motorships travel the Venetian Lagoon. Double deck motonave will take you to the Lido, and they operate near the Piazza San Marco.

Riding water buses is unlike riding city buses. You will enjoy the views of the wondrous sights of Venice, from a seat on a spacious water bus. It’s something you simply need to experience to believe.

http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/1

Florence Attractions – Best on Limited Time

October 17, 2014

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Florence Attractions The ‘Must-See’ if You’re Limited for Time

It’s quite a shame, if you only have a limited amount of time to spend in Florence. It is a city full of impressive and historically important attractions and sights. From churches to museums and significant squares, you’ll find this Tuscan town elegant and endearing.

The Florence Attractions You Must See:

Most of the top tourist Florence attractions are in the central historic district. There is simply not as much to see in the outskirts of town. You can access the most interesting sites from the center of town.

Piazza della Signoria

This is the most well-known square in Florence. It has much historic value and features an open-air exhibit of sculpture. The Piazza della Signoria is the political center of Florence, and has been so since the middle ages. Within the square, you will find the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall.

Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore

A visit to Florence is not complete without a visit to the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. This gothic duomo was started before 1300 and can seat 20,000 people. The marble exterior shows interesting statues and doors. Brunelleschi’s Dome inside is a true masterpiece.

Palazzo Vecchio

This is the civil power symbol for Florence. The construction rests atop an ancient Roman theater from the Florencia colony. The ruins viewable in the underground level are awe-inspiring.

The Bell Tower of Piazza del Duomo

The bell tower, known locally as the Campanile, was originally designed by Giotto di Bondone, an Italian architect and artist. He contributed greatly to the Italian Renaissance. He was respected as a sovereign painter. Climbing over 400 steps to the top, you will experience wondrous views of the city and its surroundings.

The Baptistery of Saint John the Baptist

Built in the 11^th century, the Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, and highly recommended to see as a Florence Attractions. It features three reproductions of bronze doors now housed in the Duomo Museum. The white and green marble creates a truly lovely building. The inside is home to a marble zodiac pavement and intricate mosaics.

The Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Museum

These are the most often visited of Florence’s museums. The interesting and famous art works within the Accademia Gallery must indeed be some of Michelangelo’s finest works. The most famous work of art here is David, the magnificent marble statue that almost everyone knows on sight.

The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte

The Basilica is a fine example of the architecture of Tuscan Romanesque work. It is found outside of the city of Florence on a monte (hill). The views of Florence from this vantage point are truly breathtaking.

Boboli Garden

The Boboli Garden is one of the most elegant and largest of the Italian gardens. It has been extended through the years, with several periods of restructuring and enlargement. The earlier works were close to the palace, and although drawn by Niccolò Tribolo, the actual work on these lush gardens would be completed after his death.

Ponte Vecchio

This old bridge was once the only one across Florence’s River Arno. In 1345, it was rebuilt following a flood. In World War II, the Germans did not destroy this bridge, although they did so to all other bridges over the River Arno. Rather, the Germans chose to block bridge access by laying waste to the buildings located on either side.

Spending even a short time seeing Florence attractions will underscore your belief in the beauty of Italy. I personally adore the city of Florence and Florence Attractions and it is so easy to feel lost and at home at the same time in this amazing city. Be sure to check back for some wild stories of late night runs for the worlds (arguably) gelato, getting to the front of the line to see David, and personal journeys in and around the city.

It is truly a city not to be missed.

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/Palazzo_vecchio.html

The English Pub

October 17, 2014

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The English Pub Guide

When it comes to the The English pub, I have my fair share of stories to tell. One of the first things a tourist should learn in my experience is how the pub scene works. The first time I wandered into a country the English pub, I was expecting a cold beer, cheers in an English accent, and some friendly conversation, though it didn’t quite turn out that way.

The Infamous Bitter Service

When you head into an English pub, never order a beer unless you like being laughed at. People refer to their beer with specifics, such as a bitter. Bitter is a distinctively popular British beer, though it comes in many different types now, it’s a brownish red ale, strongly flavored with hops. Another thing that might surprise you is that a bitter is served at room temperature and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

I learned this rule the hard way. Hopefully my blog will make a difference for you. The Brits posses a sadistic sense of humor, they will sit and laugh at the poor oblivious tourists who don’t know that there is no concept of service in the pubs. Whether you want food or beer, you’ll have to go to the bar to get some service.

Another thing, the bars over there don’t keep tabs for you, so you’ll have to pay for the drinks and food upfront.

It may seem a little weird for the first time visitors, but this is their culture and I for one love learning new culture.

Different Kinds of English Pubs

In England there are several different kinds of pubs and they all attract different kinds of crowds.

The English pubs in the city centers attract a diverse group of people, usually those working in the area. These are filled usually during lunchtime and after work hours when coworkers and friends get together to unwind over a warm bitter.
Then there are the themed pubs, mostly in the city. These could be anything from a jazz pub, comedy pub, and gay pubs, etc.
One of my favorites, the country pubs is a piece of their cultural heritage. Though it may not look the same from the inside.
Then there are the local pubs and since they are pretty local, they aren’t quite welcoming especially to visitors.
Another one of my favorites is the freehouse. Since most of the pubs are licensed through breweries, they are not allowed to sell drinks from their competitors. Freehouses are independent pubs which serve different varieties of beers. They are the best place for a visitor in the hope to try out different local drinks.

I hope this blog post gave you enough information to be able to enjoy the english pub scene in the country without any worries. If you are out visiting England, absorb as much of the culture as you can, because you will definitely miss it once you are home. Drink up, enjoy, savor it!

Cheers.

http://travel.michelin.com/web/destination/Great_Britain-London/news-The_English_pub_two_thousand_years_of_history

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