venice

Bourtzi Castle

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Bourtzi Castle is a lovely Venetian fortress in Naplio harbour. It was built in the 1400’s and was initially a prison and home of the chief executioner, and in the 1970’s it was a hotel, but now you can only go there for day visits. It’s lovely to look at from Naples harbour, and at night the whole island is lit up.

Writing implements

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I spotted these writing supplies while walking on the Rialto Bridge in Venice. I love the old-world feel to the fountain pens which still need to be dipped into inkwells to keep the ink flowing. Beautiful? Yes. Practical? No, not at all.

The canals of Venice

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There are two places I have visited that looked exactly like I imagined in my head. The first was the mountains of Switzerland, and the second are the canals of Venice. The water is a deep emerald, there are quaint wooden and stone bridges linking the many islands together and the city is in a constant battle for survival against the elements.

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If you want to get around you either walk or take a boat. It’s the only time in my life that I have taken a boat to the airport and many of the hotels have a dock as the primary entrance. You can easily get lost wondering around the city. In fact getting lost is probably one of the best ways to visit the city. Just wonder around and see the buildings and experience a little of this unique city.

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Venetian, Las Vegas

Of all the hotels in Las Vegas, the Venetian is one of the most realistic. You can visit St Mark’s Square, walk over Rialto Bridge, and even stop in a sidewalk café for drink before dinner.

To do something a little different, I am going to post pictures of the real Venice, and the Venetian in Vegas.

Gondola’s in Vegas

Gondola’s in Venice

Just like the real Venice, you can go for a ride on a gondola,and just like in Venice, they are going to charge you for that!

Rialto Brodge, Vegas

There are however a few differences. The Rialto Bridge is a road bridge, and you can ride moving sidewalk up the bridge. And while I can’t confirm it, I suspect that the bridge in Las Vegas is much longer than in Venice.

Rialto Bridge, Venice

The water in Vegas is chlorinated, and it does not stink at low tide (ok, there are no tides in Vegas). And in Vegas St Mark’s Square is indoors, so no getting wet in the pouring rain we experienced last year in Venice.

St Mark’s Square, Vegas. This square is indoors.

St Mark’s Square, Venice

Like most places in Vegas, you probably want to walk through the hotel and perhaps have a drink at one of the café’, and get a break from the chaos and noise of the strip.

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