Venezia, Italy

We love Venice.  It's canals, it's ancient architecture, it's hordes of people, cramped spaces and inability to walk, no wait. Not that.  The city is under siege. Not just from rising oceans, but UNESCO has declared it an endangered site from the tourism.  Hordes of people, literally 30 million of them annually, are wearing away at the city.  We courteously lifted our roller bags to avoid chipping the marble stairs.  Thousands upon thousands do not do that, and the marble shows the wear.

Cruise ships dump them by the thousands all at once.  These particular tourists add very little to the economy.  Perhaps some trinkets, maybe a sandwich or a coffee.  Not enough to warrant the damage they can cause.  So the city is thinking of charging a fee to enter this medieval fairyland.  I approve.  They should also eliminate roller bags.  Increase storage at the train station, and don't let folks haul those things around!  Also, the storage generates more revenue.

As Rick Steves says, this is a good city to get lost in.  We tried, but as you know, it's an island:)  We went down small alleyways and chambers, turning around at dead ends more than once.  It was amazing, and we love this city.  The church is amazing, San Marco's Basilica with it's attendant chapels is an engineering marvel.  The floors are inlaid stone and beautiful.  I want to buy glass, but have nowhere to put it, so I look and I covet, but I do not buy.  The hubs does the same with the leather backpacks and satchels.

We are still playing our housing game of "how low can you go" and found an amazing hotel for only $106 US.  Five minutes from San Marco's!  This was a keeper, we will stay here again.