Venetian Photos

Maaike is one of the visitors who contributes the most to making our Facebook group so popular. Over the last year or two, Maaike has added so many lovely comments and a number of gorgeous photos too.

I really feel so overjoyed when I see the passion of people like Maaike for Italy. Maaike is from Holland, and her love for Italy is so evident. She tries to visit Italy at least two or three times a year and knows the country really well.

When I started my website and my Facebook page, my intention was to share my love for Italy with the world.

That has changed completely.

Because of people like Maaike and many others, it is no longer just about me and "my Italy." It is about their Italy, your Italy, my Italy—everybody's Italy!

I really feel part of something much bigger now—a community? No, more than that, a family, and what more could any Italian like me ever ask for?

If you aren't part of Maria's (that's me) family, then join us on Facebook, like the websites, bookmark us, and become a part of our Italy. Let us become a part of your Italy.

Don't worry about saying too much or being too loud; that can never happen. This is an Italian family. The more noise, the better!

Now let me share some of our photos of Venice, some of Maaike's photos of elsewhere in Italy, and a few photos of Bari, Naples, Venice, and Rome by others.

Glorious morning in the piazzetta just off St. Mark's Square. To find it this empty, you really need to get there very early in the morning. This was taken at 5 a.m. Our Venice Essentials guide has lots of great tips on visiting the top attractions in Venice, affordable ways to ride a gondola, and so much more. Click here to access the guide for free.

Where do these little canals lead? I long to explore! My advice to you is to put away your phone and simply wander where your heart leads. You may well end up lost but that is part of the experience and you are never far from one of the well-signposted main landmarks, like the Rialto Bridge or St. Mark's Square.

Bridge of Sighs

Spanning the Rio di Palazzo, this magnificent white limestone bridge connects the historic Doge's Palace to the New Prison. Its name, however, carries a poignant tale.

Built in the early 17th century, the Bridge of Sighs is steeped in history and legend. As prisoners were led across the bridge, the story goes that they caught their last glimpse of the serene beauty of Venice through its latticed windows, sighing in despair at their impending fate.

The bridge's design is a marvel of Venetian architecture, adorned with delicate stonework and decorative carvings. 

As the sun sets over the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs glows with a golden hue; the sound of gondoliers' songs and the gentle lapping of water against the ancient stones create an ambiance that is one of the best memories of Venice. It is spoiled a lot by the crowds of summer, though, when huge numbers of tourists push and shove to get that perfect selfie. Make sure you travel to Venice during these months if you can.

For more on the history and the incredible legends of love and tragedy that surround the Bridge of Sighs, and tips for visiting, click here.

St Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square, or "Piazza San Marco" in Italian, is the grand heart of Venice, a breathtaking marvel that epitomizes the city's opulence and historical significance. Here is everything you need to know about St. Mark's Square - before you leave home.

Acqua Alta Book Store

Acqua Alta Bookstore is a literary haven nestled in the heart of Venice, Italy. Unlike any other normal sort of bookstore, books here are not confined to traditional shelves. Instead, they are stacked inside bathtubs and even a full-sized gondola right on its canal-facing entrance.

Situated in the charming Castello district, Acqua Alta has become an emblem of Venice's creative spirit. The name itself, "Acqua Alta," meaning "high water" in Italian, alludes to the city's infamous flooding, which can transform the store into an aquatic wonderland. However, this quirky characteristic only adds to its allure, making the reading experience truly one-of-a-kind.

You will want to check out more about the incredible Acqua Alta bookstore, which is featured in our Shopping in Venice guide.

Maaike's photos from elsewhere in Italy...

The Roman Arena in Verona.

Art in Piazza

Rome - the eternal city.

Milan

Enjoy shopping? Few cities on earth are better than Milan. Here is our guide to shopping in this wonderful shopper's paradise.

Naples

Naples rush hour by Susan Papazian

The chaos of Naples. Naples can be a bit of an acquired taste, so I went off and found a local who will help you to acquire that taste for his beloved Napoli and fall in love with the city. Click here to meet him.

Street scene in Bari by Susan Papazian

In the ancient streets of Bari, as the sun rises over the Adriatic Sea, the cobblestone lanes come alive with the rhythmic clatter of wooden rolling pins and the laughter of these culinary artisans, affectionately known as "le signore delle orecchiette" (the ladies of orecchiette).

Orecchiette, meaning "little ears" in Italian, is a traditional pasta shape hailing from the Puglia region, of which Bari is the capital. The orecchiette-making process is a labor of love, an art form mastered through decades of practice and perfected by these wise women.

Seated outside their homes or on makeshift tables, the old ladies knead and roll the dough with precision. With dexterity and grace, they shape each piece of pasta into delicate ear-shaped orecchiette that will soon find their way into pots of simmering sauces in kitchens across the city and the world.

Discover more of the sights, traditions, and stories of Bari here.