Tagged With "Venice canals"
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #6
OK. So we know it is Asian, and that it was built by colonizers/invaders from another country. Since the architecture is Asian, I think we can assume the invaders were, too. The problem then is the next term: "link them with a settlement of people from a third country." That seems to imply that the "third country" people are NOT across a border in their own land but are also in the invaded country, but living separately from the invaders. If I'm correct in guessing the bridge at upwards of...
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Re: Canal St-Martin in Paris/Where Locals and Travelers Mix
The Canal St.-Martin area is also good for food. One of the best-regarded new bakeries, Des Idees et du Pain is on its edge, and there's a great twice-a-week open-air market between the point where it goes underground and Bastille.
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 5) Venezia (Venice)
Great pictures...makes me want to go back! Interesting to note: the Mayor of Venice has been very active lately in trying to get the large cruise ships re-routed to keep them out of the fragile space between San Marco and Guidecca...and last month hundreds of people swam out to try to block the ships!
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 5) Venezia (Venice)
Thanks for your comments, PHeymont. The cruise ships are BIG business in Venice, and certainly allow a lot of people to enjoy the destination if only for a day. But there are easily places the ships could park that wouldn't hurt the delicate lagoon, then shuttle people into the city.
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
A big "Don't Like" for the lobbyists and court in Venice. What, I wonder, is the "practical alternative" for the city that's being irreparably damaged by the transit of these ships. I suppose the usual, take the bribe and leave it to their children to fix.
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
The only alternatives I can see are to build a new cruise port outside the lagoon. Chioggia might be too far, but perhaps just north of the main way into the lagoon, across the inlet from the Lido. That would provide land-based alternatives for other day trips from the boats, and could also be served by vaporetto-sized boats heading into Venice itself. Of course, I haven't consulted the folks who live there and run campgrounds there...
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
A perfectly logical solution if, indeed, logic applied in a system that officially condones adding insult to the injury Venice is already suffering. I predict, not in our lifetimes.
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Re: A Rambler in Strasbourg
Alsace was our favorite destination for relaxing, taking the Rue de Vin for picnics, and enjoying the cuisine and slow pace of life. Colorful timber houses and festivals added to the richness of this region. A couple of our photos. My wife Diane with a local policeman, the cathedral and a canal.
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Re: Shhh! Your suitcase is disturbing my sleep!
Well...it turns out... Or anyway, maybe the flurry of media protests changed their mind... But the city commissioner for Venice (the Mayor was removed earlier this year for corruption) denies that there was ever a plan to ban the suitcases or fine the tourists. He did say that they cause damage, but the rules are intended at noisy freight carts. However you view it, here's the LATEST
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Re: Shhh! Your suitcase is disturbing my sleep!
It seems so sureal an idea that it has to be true! A city that has no roads, making the only way to get to most places by walking signifcant distances down narrow lanes, wants to discourage its lifeblood, tourists. "K, granny, you can carry that 50 lb bag for 10 minutes, or pay a 500 Euro fine, or we head down to Florence. What will it be?"
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo, #53
Hmmm....Europe (rooflines), hillside, recent growth (larger buildings at back), small river (canal?)...Lots of clues, but no connection coming to mind!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset
If this were a painting, it would be by Edward Hopper. Wonderful image...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset
What a fantastic photo and description; a moment in time captured forever.
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
Although I've wanted to go to Egypt most of my life, to Egypt and Japan, for some reason I haven't made it to either place (except through the Suez canal, which hardly counts). Your pictures of the colonial-era hotels, though, may be the encouragement I need to finally get there. It's probably less crowded now than it will ever be, also an encouragement.
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Re: England gets a coast-to-coast canoe route
The Leeds - Liverpool canal as it passes by me in Liverpool:
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Re: Belles lettres et de belles choses: A wanderer's gallery
An apology...I mixed my files and misidentified the girl reading her stack of bronze books; we met her in Seville, not Lisbon!
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Re: Belles lettres et de belles choses: A wanderer's gallery
Another find for the Belles Lettres category: The 19th-c sign atop the older part of Madrid's Atocha rail station.
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Re: February 11, 2019: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Generally agreed, especially if you're really wanting to buy something. But when the temperatures is over 40C outside, and you're looking for a cool place to escape to, then this is a reasonable option. The canal system did make it more interesting than most malls.
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland
My darling father-in-law grew up in Falkirk and I've never gone there. But just mention a canal and I want to know about the towpath. A walk through Falkirk may be in my future: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk...de-union-canal.shtml Thanks, Ian.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 12, 2013: Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota
Hello again Theodore Sorry for the late response to your question. Personally, I do not think it is worth the time and effort it would take for you to drive to Duluth from Minneapolis for only one day in the winter time. The ride from Minneapolis to Duluth one way on Interstate 35 will take you 2.5 hours, and that's under good driving conditions. In the winter, chances are you will encounter bad weather, and that will definitely add to your driving time. Duluth doesn't shut down in the...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 12, 2013: Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota
It`s impressive to see those big freighters making their way through that narrow canal, just clearing that interesting bridge!
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 6) Murano and Burano
Dr. Fumblefinger, Nice slideshow with great pics. We were in Venice in 2012 for 6 or 7 days and made an excursion to Burano as a day trip. The first thing we noticed was that tourism has reached the tiny island. There was a new docking station for the vaporetti and all sorts of kiosks selling the usual stuff. The first time we were there was in 2008 and it was a sleepy island that time seemed to forget. In fact, we came across four elderly ladies sitting on a bench gabbing and knitting. I...
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 6) Murano and Burano
Great memories, rbciao! I'd like to head back to Burano some day, maybe spend 2-3 days there, just kicking back and enjoying the ambiance. We were there in May and it was not at all heavily touristed at that time, though certainly the shops were there to lighten the load of your Euro heavy wallet! Their lace was truly beautiful and my wife just couldn't resist!
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 6) Murano and Burano
I would like to also stay on Burano if I could find a place with air conditioning.
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Re: On Thursday the 'Red Light Secrets Museum of...
If you visit the Red Light District be warned ! Taking photo's is frowned upon. You may find your camera gets removed and dropped in the Canal ! Many of the guys walking around outside are Pimps. You may think they're all Basketball Players !
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #11: The Arena of Arles and the World of Rome
When you get to Arles, you may want to look at another bridge, this one crossing the Rhone. The clip below is from this website , which also has several other side-by-side comparisons of his paintings and today. The bridge here is modified or replaced, but the steps and the walk along the Rhone have not. And here's another image from my visit, looking down the Canal d'Arles from near the Langlois Bridge (the official name of the "Van Gogh Bridge.")
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 1, 2014: Canal Illusion
Fascinating how our mind plays tricks with our perceptions. You know the canal is flat, but your brain, based on the visual input it gets, tells you it's "falling".
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Re: Vineyards, Burgundy, France
This isn't the walking part, DrF, this is the drinking part. I do plan to tell the story of the walk along the Burgundy Canal soon but the answer to your question about gear is, neither. When I walk I carry a day pack, period. I leave my bigger bag at a hotel, in Burgundy it was in Dijon, and just have essentials with me, a change and toiletries, any guides and maps I may want and little else, about 10 lbs. altogether including rain gear. The less stuff, I've found over the years, the better...
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal
Wow, such a cool walking trip! I have to take one of these canal walks now!
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal
A lovely blog PM delightful to read your 'take' on the canals. We have a very active canal restoration group working in our area - the Stroudwater Canal. They have a virtual lifetime's work ahead of them to complete the ambitious projects that they have underway - but they are making progress!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 18, 2014: Lower Manhattan's New Skyline
You may have noticed that NYC has 2 areas of very tall buildings - The Battery/Financial District and Midtown, separated by an large area where building height is limited. This was not just due to zoning. The reason is geological. The bedrock is very close to the surface in Midtown and Battery so there is support for very tall buildings. However, From 34th street down to Canal the bedrock is much deeper and the ground is more sandy/gravely, so it was unsafe to build tall buildings in area.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 15, 2014:The Highways of the 1700's
Interesting bit of history, GarryRF. I know the canals in France have lots of canal cruises and barges one can rent, but I don't know if the same is true of the UK. Do you have any experience with this?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 15, 2014:The Highways of the 1700's
No personal experience DrF. l live a 5 minute walk to the above canal. It's nice to take a stroll - even when we have a cold winter ! http://new.englishholidaycruises.co.uk/ Looks interesting !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 15, 2014:The Highways of the 1700's
Originally Posted by GarryRF: No personal experience DrF. l live a 5 minute walk to the above canal. It's nice to take a stroll - even when we have a cold winter ! http://new.englishholidaycruises.co.uk/ Looks interesting ! GarryRF, When the weather gets like that there, I thinks it's time to visit Florida or Cuba!
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Re: Gallery: Les Halles, Dijon, France
Love the market!!! I'm a big fan of French wine and cheese. What time of year did you visit Dijon? Also curious about the Canal walk. Was that sort of a "room" to "room" walk? Did you carry a backpack? How did your gear travel with you? How far did you go every day and how many days was the walk? Thanks for this piece.
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Re: Walking in England
England is covered with thousands of miles of man made Canals. They were the Highways of the Industrial Revolution. Carrying Cotton, Coal, Timber all over the country. The boats they used were pulled by horses which walked along the tow path. Every mile or two you'll find a pub to stop and relax. Maybe a meal too. I love walking by the canals. Back to nature and peaceful. LEEDS TO LIVERPOOL CANAL. This is Haskayne. 8 miles north of Liverpool.
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Shhh! Your suitcase is disturbing my sleep!
Well, the headline's not a joke. The city council has passed a law taking effect next May that imposes fines up to 500€ for dragging suitcases with hard wheels along the alleys and bridges of Venice. The claim is that the noise drives everyone...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 18, 2015: The Winged Lion of Venice
The winged lion is a symbol you see everywhere in Venice -- palaces, flags, statues -- everywhere. It seemed a somewhat unusual mascot for a seafaring power and made me wonder what the origin to the symbol was. Turns out the...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset
One evening as we were returning to our hotel near St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, slowly cruising down the Grand Canal on a vaporetto (water bus) , the sun began to set. In the last moments of daylight, that magical time of day...
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Cruising through the holidays
Every year thousands of passengers find out warm tropical breezes and Christmas festivities mix well aboard a Princess Cruise Line ship. “We install more than 347 Christmas trees fleet wide. Each vessel has a showcase tree in...
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Visiting Versailles
Among the many wonderful palaces of Europe, Versailles is said to be the greatest and grandest of them all. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and is on almost every traveler’s list of “must see”...
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Changing Trains in La Serenissima
My English friend and I left the beautiful apartment on the Anfiteatro in Lucca , she home to Bromsgrove in the West Midlands, and I toward Budapest and my old friends with a guesthouse near the famous synagogue. I was treating myself to...
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians. Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
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Venice to reduce cruise ship traffic
Because it is believed the ships are threatening the sinking city, the Italian Government will reduce by 20% the number of cruise ships allowed into the lagoon starting in January. Here's that link if you're interested in reading...
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San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
El Morro, the giant fortification that's guarded San Juan Harbor for nearly 500 years, is the sight we saw before we saw it. Its image is everywhere when you do online research for a trip to Puerto Rico; its "garitas"—small domed...
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Walking the Burgundy Canal
Several years ago, after the completing 100+ miles of England’s Cotswold Way, over hill and dale and, at times, experiencing painful difficulties, I resolved to give up hills in favor of walking along waterways, of which there are many,...
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Volendam and Edam, the Netherlands: A Historic Riverfront Adventure
AmaWaterways river cruise ship AmaCerto leaves Amsterdam heading for Volendam and Edam. Gliding north along the Markermeer and Ijsselmeer rivers, the ship arrives just after lunch for a tour of the towns now united under one municipality. ...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 7, 2015: Springtime in Burgundy
Having enjoyed innumerable long-distance walks in England, but only once before in France, I determined it was time for another, this time along the Burgundy Canal. It was spring, the weather was fine, accommodations, though farther apart...