Oh Venice, you are so wonderful, and so overcrowded with tourists!
It is hard to fully appreciate you, amongst the hordes.
Avoiding the main tourist draws is the only way to be alone in Venice, and it is still quite a challenge to find quiet spots.
We were here in the first week in April and the crowds were significantly problematic. I can only imagine summertime.
I would recommend visiting Venice, if you want to, in the off-off season.
Several years ago we visited in winter and there were no crowds, even in Piazza San Marco. It is also much less expensive.
It is cold in winter, but so lovely to see Venice as she should be seen, in all her solitary glory, with locals who are actually happy to see you.
Cheers to you from amazing, but crowded Venice~
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Beautiful photos Cindy. We last visited Venice over xmas eve and attended mass at Piazza San Marco with the locals. It was cold and the square flooded due to all the rain, so there were raised makeshift boardwalks arpund the square. It was simply put, stunning!
I can just imagine. I was there with there with the flooding and the boardwalks too, but in January. I wonder if it was the same year. They were very worried about it. Christmas in Venice must be pure magic with the Christmas Markets and the whole communal festive feel. What wonderful memories you must have~
My ex wife and I must be the only two people in the world who didn’t like Venice. 🙂
I think it depends a lot on when you go, and I bet you aren’t the only ones, you’re just the only one who will admit it! 😉
Not like me to speak my mind, is it? 🙂
and all this Beauty rests only on millions of trunks beneath the Surface of the water, unimaginable, isnt it?
Yes it is unimaginable especially considering when it was conceived and built!
Superb photos, Cindy. And although Venice is really crowded, you managed to make those photos as if there were no people, which is fantastic for giving us those clean views of the city. I’m gonna be there in October…
Oh how wonderful. I think, hopefully the crowds will be thinner then. People are saying so here. We were infringing on the Italian Easter break period, which we should have learned by now not to do.
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of Venice, Italy taken by Cindy.
Grazie mille Patricia! <3
I love Venice in the wintertime. You took some great shots -as always.
Venice is winter rocks! I have great memories of it too~
Yes, Ma’am. Same here *grin*
Beautiful photos Cindy. It looks quiet and peaceful. You managed to capture images with almost no people. Thanks for the peaceful illusion. 🙂
I should include some of the stampedes on The Grand Canal, but I seek peace myself in my posts and get quite enough negative imagery from the media!
I understand. to peace!
Beautiful city…I’ve always wanted to go there…
I hope you go someday, preferably off season!
Every place is better in the off season. 🙂
Great photos, Cindy! I was just there – celebrating Carnevale.
Wonderful! I bet it was and incredible experience~
Yes, it was great fun but busy for me with four festival days in Venice, then back to Scandinavia for two days before jetting off to South America. The crowds were okay since I was in costume the entire time and posing for photographers and together with tourists, but back and forth over so many bridges and constantly getting lost was an experience. However, if I lived in Venice I would probably resent the hordes of tourists (like many of the people who live in Barcelona) unless – of course – I was dependent on the income from tourism. But Venice is enchanting. By the way, I have a new book coming out soon. Would you be interested in reviewing it? It is an alternative biography about Albert Russo.
I love tourism. Tourists are us. They/we are a HUGE boost to the economies of Ireland, N. Ireland, and Scotland, my latest visits. The downside is that we tourists are EVERYWHERE. It boggles the mind. ‘It’s really crowded’ was a common sentiment for me and others on my tour. One must definitely get creative to find some peace and quiet. Thanks for doing that in these photos! 🙂
This is what I have learned in lots of travel too. There are certain places that everyone and their sister wants to go too, and these places are mobbed, which detracts from the experience in my opinion, and then oddly, there are other equally charming places, that no one goes too, or seems to know about, and travel there is usually less expensive and often better.
As always stunning Cindy and you can feel the romance oozing from every crack in the ancient walls..I hear that it can be crowded but there is nothing more exciting than sitting in one of the squares with coffee watching the world go by. thank you for such wonderful images.. putting in the Blogger Daily to share.. hugs xx
Venice is a place many people do not want to miss for very good reason!
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Thank you dear friend~
When there are crowds they can detract from the great beauty of Venice. I was there around 1980 and was enchanted.
Yes, thankfully I have been to the big European draws before this crowding onslaught started and brought my kids to most to them too. The Vatican Museum is impossible now, so is Notre Dam.
Oh, how beautiful these photos are Cindy. The vibrancy is unreal. I was there many moons ago, time for another visit I think – on the ‘off off’ season, lol. 🙂
The off- off season rocks as long as you bring your woolies!
I’d imagine! 🙂
Amazing captures!
Thank you very much!
You have managed to capture Venice beautifully! I see Venice, not crowds of people.
LOL!! Visiting in the off season sounds like great advice. I’m from the prairies, and I hate feeling crowded.
Thank you, Cindy!
Some people go to huge concert venues and love it. I do not, so crowds displease me more then they might someone else. If I want crowds like this, I’ll go to Disneyland! Venice is splendid for non-crowd lovers off season though.
We will be there the second week of Sept. and hope the heavy crowds will be gone! Such beautiful photos, Cindy. They make me even more anxious to see it with my own eyes.
Oh how exciting! We were there in early April bumping into Easter vacation time for Europeans. You have to see Venice, so I am very glad you are going. I think the crowds will be eased and you can definitely see the big sights and then move away from The Grand Canal and see all the nooks and crannies. Be sure to go to the fish market and Burano, not just Murano. Burano is a quiet island in the lagoon with gaily painted buildings. Explore the back canals. Check out the Scuolo Grande Di San Rocco. Very few people go here and it is spectacular. If you have time take the train to Firenze and go see Palladio’s houses. You will love Venice and I hope to hear about your trip!
I have so enjoyed your travel photos, Cindy. They’re absolutely exquisite, and they always make my day. Thank you for sharing a bit of your soul with us, dear friend ❤
I so love blogging because I make friends like you! Hugs to you Tina~ <3 💐
Stunning reflections, Cindy!! woweee!!
Happy you enjoyed them Terri & cheers to you~
Cindy, I’m sold!! 😀 I’ve never seen Venice in such harmonious beauty before, the photographs capture a serenity and depth of colour which is almost magical. Having read about the crowds we’ve been cautious to visit but thank you for your great suggestion to go out of the main tourist season – this is on my list! I hope you had a good break in April! 😀
I hope you post when you go and enjoy lots of hot chocolate and hot spiced wine!
Una belleza incomparable. Como para desear pasarse toda una vida allá.
Muchas gracias, es como un sueño romántico.
Heartbreakingly lovely. Impossible to look at your photos without wanting to be ‘transponded’ there at once. A kind of perfection. RH
Ah, thank you, so kind and so appreciated! <3
Note to self to go in the off-season then, as you suggest, as those photos make the area look incredible!!
Thank you Christy. Venice is one a kind and especially incredible and accessible off season.
Venice is on my bucket list! And I will remember to go in the winter, the off-off season! I prefer the cold from the comfort aspect. But miss the flowers and colors of the warmer seasons. Venice has always held a fascination for me…may do a bit of internet research on the area and history. Thanks once again for the amazing pictures!
Just replace the flower imagery with images of warm trattoria’s serving hot chocolate, hot spiced wine, empty plazas, hot hand rolled pizzas, and sitting by the fireplace with a glass of Prosecco! Imagine cathedrals with no crowds, and the Rialto Bridge with room to breathe!
Sounds fantastic! I will keep those visions you planted in my head!
Postcard beautiful!! You did a great job finding moments to capture that are not full of tourists!
Thanks so much. Quiet places definitely can be found, especially in the mornings and early evenings.
absolutely wonderful dear Cindy,
Sherri
Reblogged this on Sherri Of Palm Springs and commented:
beautiful
Hugs to you Sherri & hope all is well with you my friend~ <3
Venice is one of my bucket list items. These photos are lovely with the beautiful reflections caught so expertly.
Your thoughtful comment touched my heart. Thank you!
Hugs, my friend.
Venice is very nice in cold months…less crowd of people.
Yes! Agree completely.
I visited Venice long ago. This beautifully illustrated post brings back the quiet joy of admiring narrow canals flanked by interesting buildings that are homes, not tourist attractions.
At least in 1975, September was a good month to be in Venice. Off-peak airfares; thinned out crowds; nice weather. Still have not gotten around to scanning my analog slides into the computer, but your photos are better anyway.
I was in Europe in ’74 when I was in high school and remember it just as you describe. Things have definitely changed since then from a crowding perspective. This is also the case in Rome, Paris, Florence and popular draws like Avignon, Brugge and Cinque Terre.
I love Venice, we got lost and found some beautiful quiet areas. The first two weeks in April are now the UK school holidays so main holiday weeks. I’ve read Venice residents want to stop so many visitors and cruise boats, it’s getting harmed by its beauty.
Yes, it is Italian and apparently French vacation time too. We have run into this before at the same time period. And yes to the residents wanting some breathing room. I can so understand how they feel. Poor Venice needs some respite!
Oh wow, what a beautiful city. Amazing photos!
Thanks so much and I am pleased you enjoyed them!
Oh I love Venice- great photos 🙂
Grazie mille!
Cindy… I loved this post but now I am getting every comment anyone else makes in my emails. Help! How can I stop this flood of responses to your post on Venice?
Oh, you go to your dashboard, find my post, and unclick notify me of comments on this post. Somehow you clicked on getting notifications of comments regarding this post. So sorry. I hate when that happens!
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Such amazing photos Cindy– a whole new look a Venice through the reflections!! And in spite of the crowds, you managed to photos of peace and calm without all those people!! You are really giving me the itch to travel!! Loved your whole trip! xox
Well, I hope you do travel. It is good for the mind, body and soul! <3
I’m hoping so too Cindy!! you’re the best!
<3
Amazing photos, Cindy. I can image that it does get very crowded but it looks really beautiful.
Thank you & Happy Friday!
O.K. I am on your post but not finding any options. Hoping when I hit “Post Comment” something will come up.
Go to YOUR wordpress dashboard. It doesn’t have anything with my site. When you were visiting my post you inadvertantly clicked notify me of all comments. It is so easy and so terrible to do. I have done it several times and know how bad it is. You go to your admin page or dashboard and click on blogs you follow, find my blog, and check notifications, unclick notify me of all comments. Hopefully you only are being notified from this one post, and the comments will subside as they naturally are, but still it is so annoying.
If this is too hard to follow. Do this. Unfollow me. Wait a day or two. Follow me back again. It will devolve to the normal non-notification setting you have for all the blogs you follow and this annoyance will end. I like this solution best!
You are quite remarkable in that you can do all this.
We better watch your photos then, Cindy, at least they are peaceful and quiet…and beautiful 🙂 Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3
Virtual travel brings you the imagery without the hassles! <3
Thank you for bringing Venice to our blogosphere, and we didn’t have to worry about fighting off the crowds 😀 Stunning photos, as always.
The benefits of our virtual world are limitless! I get the same freedom exploring blogs and it is wonderful~
Nice shots. More interesting than pavement and taking one’s boat to work would be fun. 🙂
I imagine Venice must have been idyllic in the 50’s and 60’s, before the mobs arrived.
I know what you mean. Snowdonia used to be a quiet place too. Everybody seems to go beep, jingle, buzz, click. That’s just my knees. 😀
Hopefully soon we won’t be able to hear their beeping devices, just our creaking knees.
Hmm, a replacement for the soothing effects of whale song, creaking knees. 😀
You could record it and sell it on ebay.
In Yorkshire pronounced ee ebay. 😀
https://m.popkey.co/3a9730/76Mbb_s-200×150.gif?c=popkey-web&p=mars&i=3musketeers&l=search&f=.gif
Tee hee. 😀
I have always wanted to see Venice but have been warned about the crowds as I am horrifically claustrophobic. I do not mind cold at all so if I can make it there, winter it is! Cindy these are awesome photographs. They portray that quiet and tranquility you were mentioning.
Hi Lydia. Venice has quite a lot of narrow winding walkways with buildings on each side,that one often gets lost in. I would not recommend Venice for someone who is dealing with severe claustrophobia in any season. You might have a lot of fun in places with wide open spaces like the American West, maybe Big Sky country in Montana, or the open plains of Africa, deserts in the spring, places that hold you in the vast embrace of the spaciousness of nature. I am sorry you have to deal with this. <3
Cindy, I have seen so many pictures and shows with videos of Venice. I have always wanted to go there and I guess I never associated those narrow streets as problematic. But now I do. I think I will stick to my Alaskan cruises and local trips. I lived in Saskatchewan so visited Montana and Idaho a lot. Loved it in both states. The other problem is flying. I am okay on short flights with an aisle seat or window if there is only one person beside me. But the long flights to Europe would be problematic. Yes, this is a horrid thing to live with (Did you read my post today?) I guess I will continue to enjoy travelling through your lens!
I think you nailed a potential key to happiness, focusing on finding the beauty within the parameters of your life. It sounds like you are doing that and I salute you for it. And yes, gorgeous Alaska certainly offers beauty exponentially. If you like cruising, transatlantic’s give you an incredible perception of the vastness of the oceans and a way to get to Europe without the awful flights.
Thanks, both for the encouragement and the tip on transatlantic cruises!
I suspect talking to you, that you didn’t need either, but maybe might appreciate the understanding. You are doing good girl. You have mastered knowing yourself. Most people don’t.
It’s one of those places you cannot get tired of looking at! Beautifully reflective, Cindy. 🙂
And somehow, despite the crowds and hassle, she always manages to draw you back~
It look quiet through your photos. The reflections are so beautiful and clear!
We were there in the early 2000, I thought it was unbearably crowded. 🙂
Yes. I have been in Venice multiple times over the past 20 years and the only time it was free of over-crowding was in mid-winter.
Reflective in every sense,Cindy.
There are a lot of ways to reflect aren’t there!
Ya veo que te gusta la vieja Europa y que la visitas a menudo, así que deseo que estés disfrutando de tus paseos. Muchos besos, amiga <3
Muchas gracias mi amable amiga y abrazos y besos~ <3 <3
Amazing reflections!
Amazing reflections!
Thanks so much Lynn & congrats Mom on the graduate!
Thanks!
You have so many pretty photographs and also thank you for the like. 🙂
<3
Beautiful pics. You are so lucky that gave visited such a beautiful place. It’s on my bucket list to visit Italy and a few cities there. I’ll remember about the crowds. Summer may be cheaper but I’m told the heat is pretty unbearable.
Winter is cheapest of all, very cold, but so lovely and so empty! I hope you do go, and regardless of when you visit, Italy is magic.
Thank you for the tip. I am from a cold place usually so a bit of cold is okay as long as it’s warmer than Canada where I am from. One day soon I hope 🙂
I hope so too and I would love to hear about your experience.