Saturday, April 12, 2025

Affordable Hotel in Venice Italy

 



HOTEL PAUSANIA

VENICE 










HOTEL PAUSANIA

Once the residence of an aristocratic Venetian family this charming property is now a welcoming hotel. Enjoy breakfast out on the veranda, which overlooks the garden. Hotel Pausania is an interesting property that dates back to the 14th century. Upstairs you will find a bright and spacious sitting room. On the ground floor you can connect to the internet for free. Each room is complete with free WiFi, a TV and air conditioning. Outside in the garden you will find an original well and space to relax in after a busy day sightseeing in Venice. Your room rate includes 1 free entrance to the Venice Casino and a free tour of a glass factory in Murano. The Pausania Hotel is close to the church of San Sebastiano and to the Maritime Station. It is easily reached by Vaporetto (water bus), getting off at Ca'Rezzonico stop.










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Gondola History of Venice




GONDOLAS

VENICE, ITALY


 


ORIGINS

Although the exact origin of the name gondola is unknown, there are several hypotheses: the most reliable one argues that it derives from the Latin term cymbula, which indicates a small boat. Other sources believe that the origin lies in the Greek word kountelàs, which instead means “short boat”.

But how long have gondolas been around? Also in this case we don’t have an official date, but we know for sure that the term gondolam appeared for the first time in 1094, in a decree signed by the Doge Vitale Falier.

As for the visual arts, it is interesting to know that the first image of a gondola, very similar to the contemporary one, appeared in one of Vittore Carpaccio’s masterpieces, Miracle of the Cross in Rialto, dating back to 1494 and now exhibited in the Gallerie dell’Accademia. 


HABITS & CUSTOMS


Considering the conformation of Venice, it is easy to imagine why such a boat has been so successful: it sneaks nimbly into the canals, manages to pass under the bridges and, thanks to its flat bottom, it can sail even when the canal bed is dry. In the past centuries the gondola was used as the principal means of transport by all Venetians.

Each family, regardless of their prestige, relied on their own gondolas and on their “gondolieri de casada”, sailors in charge of transporting the owners and their families from one building to another. Back then, like today, there were stazi (the boarding points) located across the city.

In the past, a cover called felze was built in the center of the gondola and used mainly in winter and at night. Today it has fallen into disuse because it reduces visibility, but back then it was equipped with a door and sliding windows, mirrors and a warmer. In other words, it protected passengers from both the cold and prying eyes. 





The CHARMS of a VENETIAN GONDOLA RIDE

BACK CANALS of VENICE




GONDOLA FACTS


Some interesting facts to learn more about one of the most famous boats in the world: the Venetian gondola weighs about 500 kilos, is 11 m long, about 1.65 m high, and 1.42 m wide.

But there is a very curious feature that you probably haven’t noticed yet: the gondola is asymmetrical! To be exact, the left side is 24 cm wider than the right one and, therefore, the gondola always sails tilted to one side.

For the construction of a gondola, which requires about 500 hours of work, 8 types of wood are used, each with its own function. Some examples: pine and larch, very water resistant, are used for the parts immersed in water; oakwood is used for the hull and sides thanks to its high resistance; elm, hard but also extremely elastic, is ideal for the edges.

Of the 280 parts that make up the gondola, only two are in metal: the characteristic “fèro” (iron) at the bow and the “risso” (curl) at the stern.


The FERRO


This traditional iron component (in Venetian dolfin or fero da próva) not only plays a decorative role, it also has the purpose of protecting the bow from possible collisions. Its shape, apparently bizarre, actually has a very specific meaning: the “S” shape represents the Grand Canal, the six forward facing teeth are the six districts of Venice, while the one at the back represents the Giudecca. The upper part represents the Doge’s hat, while the arch above the highest tooth of the comb represents the Rialto Bridge.

In some recently built gondolas there are three additional features that represent the most important islands of the lagoon: Murano, Burano and Torcello.





GONDOLAS FERRO


The SQUERO


The gondola is built in small shipyards called squèri, where once all sorts of boats were actually built. However, the inauguration of the Arsenale reduced their workload and the squero thus became increasingly specialized in the construction and storage of gondolas only. The name derives from a work tool, the square set, called “squara” in the Venetian dialect and the craft of the squerarolo is still highly qualified, handed down from father to son or from teacher to apprentice.

The squero has a particular and recognizable structure: you’ll immediately notice the sloping square towards the canal that facilitates the access of boats. Behind it, there’s a wooden construction called tesa, which serves as a shelter but also as a tool shed. The squero of the Daniele Manin Cooperative in San Trovaso is the most famous and definitely worth a stop.





HOTELS in VENICE

 

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Venice Travel Guide

 



The GRAND CANAL

VENICE






VENICE TRAVEL GUIDE

by a LOCAL







WHAT to SEE in VENICE

VENICE GUIDE




FINE a HOTEL in VENICE



ROME FLORENCE TUSCANY

All ITALY & WORLDWIDE








PALAZZO DUCALE

VENICE






GOING to POSITANO



POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

VOTED BEST AMALFI COAST TRAVEL GUIDE 












Cantine e Vino Schiava - Venice

 



CANTINE e VINO SCHIAVA

VENICE'S Most POPULAR WINE BAR

DOSODURO, VENENZIA






CANTINE e VINO SCHIAVA

VENICE'S Most FAMOUS WINE BAR (Bacaro)


Sunday, April 6, 2025

Secret Casinos of Casanova Venice

 



RIDOTTO of VENICE

PIETRO LONGHI







SECRET CASINOS

Of CASANOVA'S VENICE






IL RIDOTTO di PALAZZO DANDOLO

FRANCESCO GUARDI







HOW to SEDUCE LIKE CASANOVA













GIACAMO CASANOVA

VENETIAN PLAYBOY






GOING to The AMALFI COAST



POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

READERS TOP CHOICE








Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Local Venetian Guide to Venice Tour

 



The DOGE'S PALACE

VENICE






See VENICE THROUGH The EYES of a VENETIAN

SAINT AMRY'S of MIRACLES

CAMPO San GIOVANNI

FONDACO di TEDESCHI - Rooftop

Santa MARIA della SALUTE CHURCH

From della SALUTE head to The nearby PUNTA DOGANA

Explore CANNEREGGIO & VENETIAN WINE BARS (Bacari)

BACARI ( Venetian Wine Bars) San POLO area Venice







MUST EAT VENETIAN FOOD

VENICE






GREAT RESTAURANTS on ALL BUDGETS

VENICE




BACARETO Da LELE




A PANINO & GLASS of WINE for About $3

At Da LELA













BAR RIALTO da LOLLO

Great TREMEZZINI SANDWICHES

ABout $2.50 Each






CANTINA AZIENDA AGRICOLE





BIGOLI ANATRA

PASTA with DUCK RAGU 

11 Euro











PARADISO PERDUTO








VENICE & The ORIENT EXPRESS


SEE "PARADISO PERDUTO" at Minute 13:40








ABC of The VENETIAN SPRITZ



APEROL SPRITZ

CAMPARI SPRITZ

CYNAR SPRITZ





The SELECT SPRITZ

The MOST LOCAL

VENICE





You Can Order a CYNAR SPRITZ








READ ABOUT VENICE & ITALIAN FOOD

ITALY & NEW YORK

"MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD"

STORIES & RECIPES

by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE



























Sunday, March 16, 2025

Casanova and The Art of Seduction

 






CASANOVA






CASANOVA & The ART of SEDUCTION

Documentary









GIACAMO CASANOVA




Vidal on Venice

 





The BASILICA of San MARCO

VENICE, ITALY







VIDAL on VENICE

Gore Vidal


Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Osteria Assassini Venice




OSTERIA ASSASSINI

Calle ASSASSINI

VENICE





OSTERIA ASSASSINI

VENICE







Along a cobblestone street that speaks of Venice from another century, a classic Venetian building strides the narrow sidewalk near the La Fenice Opera House with double windows and arched doorway. Inside, this quintessential local’s eatery is cast in local characters from actual gondoliers to tired shop-keepers that sometimes roll their eyes at guests that can’t manage a word of Italiano. But that’s why we love it, from the period brick walls to the terrazzo and dark wood design that’s speaks of comforting late-night feasts. 

A classic Venetian bacaro mixes the ambiance of a pub with formal chef’s kitchen that yields a rotation of weekly specials. Mondays offers selection of white meats from rabbit to goose and chicken while Saturdays are traditional fish and seafood and Tuesday slow-cooked meats that’s our favorite of the week. Each night features rotating pasta specials as well as appetizer menu of salads and seafood specialties. 

Classic Venetian bacaro does daily special’s menu in locally loved dining room near Fenice opera house. 














"BIGOLI"






VINI





OSTERIA ASSASSINI

VENICE







GOING to AMALFI ?



POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK





 

BACARO.... VIDEO of a VENETIAN WINE BAR

My WINE BARS of VENICE Youtube Video

ANTHONY BOURDAIN eats CICHETTI and Seafood Risotto in VENICE

VENICE

VENICE
Morning in VENICE

CASANOVA

Followers

Map of VENICE

Map of VENICE
Venice Map