Reflections from 2023

My annual recap after an incredible year of travel all over the globe.

“….changes in latitude, changes in attitude….”

This was certainly a year for the record books for me as I travelled across latitudes from the Antarctic all the way up to the Arctic. I can’t believe how many bucket list trips I was fortunate to indulge in. I have become very spoiled by all my travels this year, and I am very appreciative of the many opportunities I’ve had to see so many special places around the world.

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PhotoPOSTcard: Amazing Grace

This beautiful swan was following me as I walked along the canals of Burano in the early morning. I think it was hoping to get some food, but I had none to give. I waited for quite a while for the swan to swim to this particular section of the canal where the colorful houses were reflecting shades of pink and yellow. Eventually, it cooperated. Patience is a virtue that I don’t always have, but in this case, it paid off.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

What to do in Burano – My 25 Colorful Photos and Tips for Visiting Burano, Italy

In some ways I love Burano more than Venice – it is so colorful and photogenic. Use these Burano photos as inspiration for visiting Burano. I am also sharing tips for what to do in Burano and tips for why an overnight Burano stay is even better.

I love the little island of Burano, Italy in the Venetian Lagoon. Visiting Burano for a day or half day is a common side trip from Venice, but spending the night was even better. Once the day trippers were gone, I had the island practically to myself – well, along with all the locals of course.

In this guide I share my favorite photos along with many tips on what to do in Burano from all my trips to inspire a day visit or an extended stay on this easy excursion from Venice.

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PhotoPOSTcard: Just Me and the Sweeper

Burano is a popular day trip from Venice. Most people go for just a few hours and seem to stay on the main canal paths to get their photos, shop and eat. During the day, this main plaza is a  hub of activity. Restaurants and cafes have put out their chairs and umbrellas. Waiters are taking orders and serving food. Shopkeepers display their wares. Tourists are milling about, eating, drinking, shopping and wandering. But at 6 in the morning, no one is up yet, and it is just me and the sweeper.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: On the Island of Burano

I love Venice, but I love the little island of Burano in the Venetian lagoon even more. Its intimate, compact size and the popsicle colored housed reflected in the canals are a photographer’s dream. On this visit, I spent the night and had the island practically to myself in the evening after the day trippers left, and in the morning before everyone woke up. In this case, the early bird caught a great photo.

Thanks for visiting

Rose

European Waterways La Bella Vita Cruise Review – Discovering Italy On a Luxury Barge Cruise

Barge cruising with European Waterways is one of my favorite travel experiences. In this La Bella Vita cruise review I share all the details of my fantastic 6 day barge cruise in Italy.

There is a reason that a European Waterways barge cruise has become one of my favorite travel experiences – actually, it’s a lot of reasons. A week long cruise always includes incredibly attentive service, fantastic food, exceptional local wines, and specially curated excursions. And all this is provided in an intimate, small group setting. What’s not to love about that!

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Reflections from 2019 – An Epic Year of Travel

This was an epic year of travel for me – the best ever. I was very fortunate to be able to go somewhere special each month.

I visited National Parks in the US  as well as a few new places in my home country. I had a completely unique experience as a volunteer citizen scientist in Kenya. And my feet touched the soil of South America for the first time. To top it all off, I was totally spoiled on a one of a kind barge cruise on the Burgundy Canal in France. I don’t think any year in travel can get much better.

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PhotoPOSTcard: The Red Vespa

There are over 1000 years of history in this photo. The round church in the background is the Rotonda di San Lorenzo in the city of Mantua, Italy. This is the oldest church in this UNESCO designated city, built in the late 11th century, and still has some of the original frescoes visible inside. The red Vespa in the foreground is another classic Italian legacy, but only since the 1940’s.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

“Remembering Venice” – Original Quilt Design

Quilt Inspiration – I made this quilt to commemorate our 30th wedding anniversary trip to Venice.  Blue and red seem to be the traditional colors of Venice-gondaliers wear blue-and-white or red-and-white striped shirts. The traditional carnival masks tend to use a red or blue diamond patterns, so I knew those would be the predominant colors in the quilt.

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PhotoPOSTcard: St. Mark’s Square at Night

When I first saw the puddles in St. Mark’s square in Venice, I thought it had rained while I was having dinner. But when the puddles kept getting bigger, I realized that the high tide was seeping in from underneath the paving stones in the plaza. I could not resist the opportunity for another reflection photo.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose