Venice is Spectacular

We went to Venice today and first off, bring lots of room on your camera device. Venice is so picturesque you will be snapping every which way you turn.  It's that gorgeous.

Get the water bus pass, especially if you're staying overnight (get the the 12 hour one). Venice is a walking city and a boating city. But a single afternoon is not really enough time to see much of the insides of places (museums, cathedrals). The city is very crowded (see the picture of the water bus). This is only chilly January and we saw crowds everywhere, I can only imagine what it's like in high season.

The streets are not so well marked and what I saw on Tripadvisor was that people had a hard time finding there hotel/hostel. If you can arrive to Venice during the light of day, you'll be in better shape for finding your accommodation than if you roll in at 10pm. Dark alleys are everywhere. During the brilliant light of day, they are charming and romantic. In the chill of night, those alleys can feel creepy and foreboding.

Graffiti

Bologna had a lot of graffiti which added to the character of the city. There was graffiti in other places too, like on the trains. And there was also some #occupy action.

Bologna's Synagogue - Hard to Find, Well-protected

The experience of finding the synagogue in Bologna, in the dark, on Shabbat, was one that we hadn't met yet. It was the Comunita Ebraica di Bologna. Difficult to find in the evening, it was a surprise to be asked questions to get in, told to leave the backpack in the anti-room, and see armed guards out front and in the back of the building. Once inside there was a pleasant and small group of people studying Torah and celebrating the Sabbath. We went on another day and walked by in the light of
day. The guards were still there and the only sign that this building was a synagogue was a Star of David viewable at the back of the building, in the alley, and Hebrew at the front door threshold.

Note the Star of David on the peach-colored building

What to do in Bologna if You're Visiting Over New Year's

Last night was New Year's Eve and I thought for certain the windows were going to be blown out on our apartment. It was super loud and almost scary. We're not staying in a busy neighborhood and we're not right in the center of Bologna so I did not expect the spectacle that ensued. But I was, in fact, warned...

This afternoon we thought we'd take a low-key and leisurely walk up to the "church on the hill" or the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca but nearly all of Bologna did the same thing. It was wonderful to see everyone hiking up the portico-covered hill and by hiking, I mean many folks where wearing workout gear. I think this a "thing" in Bologna and that people go to the Sanctuary for fitness (and perhaps reflection). It was a beautiful and cool day and a great activity. Walking up is more strenuous than I expected and coming down took about half the time as going up. On a clear day, the view is probably incredible.

In Florence, Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, Spy the Duomo, and Eat Gelato

We were in Florence just for the day but it was so lovely and yet so crowded. We met up with friends doing some work here and that made it even more fun and very negotiable. They knew where to take us and where to eat though we did have a few things on our list.

The Duomo, although wonderful to look at, had a very long line to get in so we just took pictures from the outside and kept walking. Florence is a severe tourist destination.




We went and looked at the Tempio Maggiore Israelitico Synagogue but did not go in.

Italian friends from home sent us to Corona's Cafe for the truly best gelato ever. We were not disappointed and they had several vegan gelato options.

To end the afternoon, we went to the Basilica of Santa Croce and saw the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli...pretty amazing, really. The Basilica has a Star of David at the top. Odd.

Street Scene - Bologna

Traveling by Bus in Bologna, Italy

We're visiting Bologna, Italy, for about a week and a half. Here're some tips for when you go...
buy a bus pass. It's the best, easist, fastest way to get around. Get a bus map. But here's a hint: no one checks the pass so, take that how ever you will. There are different bus routes on the weekend, and the buses don't go into center of town because it become a wonderful walking mall. There is no need to rent a car in Bologna.