Venice, Croatia and Turkey

Plenty of pictures from the past few weeks, enough to do three postings, not in chronological order, but rather grouped as follows:

• Venice in Italy, Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia, and Izmir in Turkey.
• Athens, Nafplion, Corfu, Mykonis and Iraklion (Crete) in Greece.
• Santorini in Greece.

Venice: Window with masks and Murano glass.

Venice: View from hotel window.

Venice: Departing by sea. This is Saint Mark's Square, and includes the bell and clock towers, the church, the Doge's Palace, the symbolic lion, the Grand Canal and more.

Dubrovnik: The old city wall.

Dubrovnik: Steep street of stairs.   

Dubrovnik: Old Dominican Church.

Dubrovnik: Rooftops.

Split: City Courtyard.

Split: Flower shop.

Izmir: Greeting music and dance.

Izmir: Turkish flag.

Izmir: Need a cab?

Izmir: Need a shoeshine?

Izmir: Need a carpet?

Izmir: Monument and city buildings.

Izmir: Along the waterfront.

I'll try to post Greece pictures soon, including some favorites.  Ciao.

Update from Venice

Back in Venice, back on line and less than two days from home.  Will post more pictures next week.  Ciao.

Venice

We arrived in Venice yesterday and are very busy enjoying the city. Here are a few pictures.  First, our hotel.

Gondola in front of our hotel.

Lovely signora contemplating the Grand Canal.

Four horses on San Marco that I believe Napolean once borrowed, but obviously they were returned.

The clock tower.

How goods arrive in Venice.

How they are unloaded.

And, phew, how they reach their final destinations.

The Rialto bridge.

Canal, flowers and Venice flag.

Cheese, anyone?

How about a gondola ride?

People.

Art at San Marco.

Ciao.

Traveling

Tomorrow we leave for Venice.  We'll catch a mid-morning train to Florence, then switch to a train that will arrive in Venice mid-afternoon.  Not sure when will be the next opportunity to post.
Venice.  Why would anyone build a city on a mud-filled lagoon?  In the year 452 the answer for the Veniti people was, "because Attila the Hun is invading and we need to move from the mainland!  Besides, beneath the mud is solid clay.  We can sink piles into the clay and build our city upon them, safe at sea from the invaders."  Their planned worked, creating a place of beauty in the process.

But, for now, just a little more time wandering about Assisi.

More Around Town

A sunny morning.  Some were out early today.

Soon the crowds arrived on the main road through town.

However, just one block away...

Some paths are less crowded.

Here's a few more pictures.  First, a fragment of a frescoe in Santa Maria Maggiore.

The moon over San Rufino's bell tower.

And a broom at rest.

Ciao.

Around Town

In a few days we leave for Venice. Sure going to miss Assisi. After yesterday's long walk, today was a gelato and wandering around town day. Here's a few of today's pictures.  First, the colors of Subasio stone, on the side of San Rufino.

View of a neighborhood.

Watch your head!

Another little car picture. 

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.  Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."  - Groucho

Another nice place.

Ciao.

A Long Walk

Went for a walk today, about 14 miles.  Started early and followed a different and verdant path up Monte Subasio.

Occasionally, one sees these signs when hiking.  The top one prohibits hunting.  The bottom one has to do with gathering tartufi (truffles), an Umbrian delicacy.

Once above the treeline, there's a nice view of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Wildflowers near the summit.

This is the summit marker for Monte Subasio.  The four panels surrounding it show profiles and names of the surrounding mountains.

Here's another picture of me standing there, this time on one foot.

Some trails are narrow paths, others old roads.

Came across this old fountain, which appears to still be in use as a water source.

Beautiful wildflowers along the path.

Passed the Abbazia (Abbey) di San Benedetto al Monte Subasio (circa 1051 AD).

More wildflowers.

An old stone wall.

Ciao.