Well, there are large canals, and there are smaller branch canals, and many beautiful large bridges across the Grand Canal, and many smaller bridges throughout Venice crossing the narrower canals, and although most of the canals seemed to have sidewalks along them, sometimes the water flowed against the base of the buildings. When you stand on the bridges and look down the canals... well, it's just so beautiful you can feel downright euphoric. And it is surely the most romantic city on earth.
In some seasons, we hear, one needs rubber boots because the water level can rise above sidewalk level. And there are many streets intersecting the city, many interesting walks. It's the first city I've ever been in in which it's just as wonderful to get lost as it is to find your destination, since you see beautiful things everywhere. We walked probably five miles on our most sedentary day.
Venice also feels extremely safe. You would see, late at night, frail old women walking home alone with their string bags along narrow, dark alley-like (albeit charming) streets, clearly without any concern. Once I misunderstood the bill and overpaid by ten euro and the waiter ran out into the street to catch me and return the overpayment.
Venice is sinking. They're going to have to build dams to conserve it. For as long as that works. It will cost billions and billions. That awareness never left me, for some reason.
Edit:
Check out this link:
lunadesigns.com
Here's a street map. The blue is water. You can see that there are plenty of streets to explore.
doge.it |
