le porte e finestre di Venezia

On my recent (second) trip to Venezia, I couldn't help noticing the amazing doors and windows of the city on the water.... here are some that I found irresistible...

Venezia

 First.. check the map!

 Venezia- a city that spans 117 islands... too beautiful to spin words about- incredible city with a lot of character and hard to leave.....

 

Rialto Bridge... and below the view onto the Grand Canal.. the bridge links the districts of San Marco and San Polo...

 

 

Piazza San Marco in Venice, with St Mark's Campanile and Basilica in the background 

 

Typical view on the Grand Canal......

Bologna

Bologna

Home of the two 'Donkey' towers, portici (archways) and of course ragù alla bolognese....a beautiful city with an illustrious history of art, music, history and cuisine including Europe's oldest University  founded in 1088-  University of Bologna.

The Asinelli (Donkey) Towers

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Tuscany: home of the bean: San Gimignano, Siena, Arezzo and Viareggio

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a medieval town known for its multitude of towers- back in the day - it had 72- that's a lot for a beautiful little town....

 

a typical Tuscana vista....

 

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Monteriggioni: a small town which was on the famous pilgram's path - Via Francigena  from Canterbury, England to Rome and referenced in Dante's Divine Comedy.

Siena

Siena is famous for its historical centre and the Palio, a horse race held twice yearly.

The Duomo of Siena is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and the façade was completed by 1380. Source: Life in Italy.com

 

 old streets of Siena

 in the Piazza del Campo and looking at the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall....

 

 checking the map... the finger's on the Duomo....

Arezzo

Where the film La vita è bella, 1997 was filmed....

...looking up the street to the Santa Maria della Pieve

 

 

..in the Piazza Grande (above and below)

 

 

The Communal Palace in Arezzo

 

 Church of San Domenico

 

 One of the best meals I've ever had....sorry got no photos as it was all over so quickly and deliciously!!

More about Arezzo....

Last but by no means least...Viareggio.. there for only a few short hours - I will return at Carnvale time!
Viareggio is the second largest city within the Province of Lucca

 

the beach- at dust and sunset...