Lucky me! My DH took me there! (maybe he was truly sick and tired of hearing me carry on about wanting to go) And La Serenissima did not disappoint, it truly is one of the most unique places on earth! The city left quite a lasting impression on me. No wonder that when I sat down to write my very first contemporary romantic suspense novel I knew I had to set it in Venice.
So let me share 5 unforgettable and totally Venetian things:
The Bridge of Sighs -- I've mentioned this unique covered bridge and shared this picture before, but this lovely Venetian landmark plays a pivotal role in The Treasures of Venice, so here it is again. The bridge connects the Doge's Palace with the prison on the other side of the canal.
The Doge's Palace -- Another landmark with a role in The Treasures of Venice! The Doge's Palace was the residence of the elected ruler of the Venetian City-State as well as the seat of government. This huge and ornate building is not to be missed on any visit to Venice
.St. Mark's Cathedral and the Piazza surrounding it are the quintessential image of Venice and are the location of the opening scene of The Treasures of Venice. The Doge's Palace is right next door to St. Mark's and there really are about a million pigeons occupying the piazza at any given time.
The Rialto Bridge -- the largest and definitely the most
unique of the five bridges that cross Venice's Grand Canal, it is lined with very exclusive shops and has been since it was finished in its present incarnation in 1591! Yup, it makes more than one appearance in The Treasures of Venice.
Finally, what could possibly be more Venetian than a gondola? These long pointy black boats embody every cliche that is Venice, and in the best possible way! Of course I had to work in a gondola for a couple of very important scenes, include a very romantic one, in The Treasures of Venice.
Only 149 more days until the book hits store shelves! But who's counting?!?!
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6 comments:
Your DH is the best. I hope to visit Venice one day. My cousin visited Venice about ten years ago and I was so jealous. The gondola ride cost his $80, so I'm guessing it's much more expensive now, but it's something you must do when you're in Venice.
Aunty Cindy it is only 147 days now YAY it is getting closer
Thank you for the photos they are beautiful one of my daughters visited Venice when on a school excursion when she was 14 and told me how beautiful it is.
The photos will be etched in my memory now so when I read the book I will be able to see the places even better than trying to see them from my imagination
have Fun
Helen
Hey Jane,
When it comes to travel, my DH really IS the best! SHHH! Don't tell him, you know how men and their egos are. ;-)
It has been about ten years since I've been there too, because the gondola ride was about $80 US. ACK! But some things ya just gotta do. I also wanted a necklace made of Murano glass, but even the most simple ones cost more than our hotel room so I had to pass. :-(
I hope you get to Venice in the very near future! But til then, you can read TToV and imagine you are there... with an Irish hunk!
AC
YAY, Helen! Only 147 more days DownUnder!
My writer-buddy Tina (who has relatives who live north of Venice) read part of the manuscript and told me I 'nailed' the setting so well that she could almost smell the espresso. :-) I hope you enjoy it!
AC
It's really not nice to torture us like this. I've wanted to go to Venice forever, and this makes me want to go even MORE. I have visited in many books set there, and I look forward to getting to "virtually" travel there with you. :)
These pictures are fantastic. Have you ever thought of becoming a travel photographer? LOL! Then you could get paid to take these trips!
HA! Terrio, I'm sorry to disappoint you but none of these are my personal photos (the ones from Turkey were). I need a scanner for my photos from Venice and they aren't nearly so nice as these. I was there in Feb. and it was overcast and drizzly the entire time.
I hope you make it to Venice in the not-too-distant future. It is a FABULOUS place!
AC
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