Venice, Day 5: Giardinetti Reali
On day 5 of my Venetian adventures in December 2015, I visited the Giardinetti Reali. It's a wonderful little oasis of calm and greenery, steps away from the wild humanity of Piazza San Marco. The last time I was there the park was overrun delightfully with cats. The cats now though are all gone, as they are gone from every corner of Venice...
Venice, Day 7: Wandering Alone
On day 7 of my Venetian adventures in December 2015, I spent the evening wandering the glorious streets one last time before my plane took off in the morning. The city is so endlessly interesting to me, with its tiny alleyways, its abhorrence of 90-degree angles, its colors, its style, its life. I can't wait to return...
Venice, Day 7 Wandering with Lorenzo Cinotti
On day 7 of my Venetian adventures in December 2015, I had a great time wandering about with my friend Lorenzo Cinotti. The city was blanketed off and on with a light fog that gave a nice glow to everything we shot...
Venice, Hotel Danieli
Near my apartment in Venice (where I visited in December 2015) stands a wonderful five-star hotel, the Danieli. Its rooftop restaurant looks out on both the Palazzo Ducalo and San Giorgio Maggiore. Impressive. The whole place has a great vibe of an old Venetian palazzo combined with a modern hotel. Sitting at the bar, sipping my gin & tonic, I felt like I was in a scene from a James Bond film. Turns out they filmed part of Moonraker here...
Venice, Palazzo Ducale
If there is a more breathtaking view than walking out of the ticket area into the Palazzo Ducale courtyard just off of the Piazza San Marco, then... I will eat (a delicious piece of cake in the shape of) my hat. The Doge's Palace is often overrun with tourists, but with good reason: it is truly a must-see destination. It's a glorious mix of late-medieval and renaissance architectures in ways that only Venice could devise.
Venice Day 2: Piazza San Marco
Venice, Italy. Is there a lovelier city on the planet? Not to me! And in Venice, is there a lovelier spot than the Piazza San Marco? On the second day on my trip last December after my climb up the campanile, I snapped some photos around the gorgeous square, just a few short blocks from my apartment.
Venice: Gallerie dell'Accademia
During my 2015 trip to Venice, Italy, I made sure to visit one of my favorite spots in town, the Gallerie dell'Accademia. It is full of beautiful art but in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Venice: Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
In December 2015 I was lucky enough to get a private tour of the amazing Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, Italy. The scuola has been a part of Venice civic life for eight centuries and still serves as a wonderful event space for the community.
Venice: Caffè Lavena
Venice, Italy, has many great cafes. One of my favorites is Caffè Lavena, mere steps away from San Marco's basilica in that glorious piazza. It opened in 1750(!) and looks much like it did in the 19th century. The mirrors along the walls were especially beautiful to me. A plaque on the wall explains Richard Wagner used to drink here.
Tre Oci Gallery, Venice
December 2015 was overflowing with shoots in Venice. One great stop I made was at the Tre Oci Gallery in the Giudecca district. It's a terrific exhibition space that really supports photography (and other visual arts), with shows featuring internationally renown artists alongside local up-and-comers. Really warmed my heart.
Acqua Alta, Venetian Bookstore
In December 2015, I visited the Acqua Alta Bookstore in Venice. As a great lover of books and bookstores, I simply could not pass up the opportunity when I was in town. In fact, I visited twice!
Marisa Convento's Venetian Dreams, Venice 2015
In December 2015, I traveled to Venice, Italy, for a few shoots and a lot of R&R. One glorious evening I spent at Venetian Dreams, a workshop where artist Marisa Convento makes jewelry from Murano glass pieces. Such craft, such beauty.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
In December 2015, I traveled to Venice, Italy, for a few shoots and a lot of R&R. There was so much to see that there wasn't much I meant to twice; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal, however, was such a place. (If I had time, I'd have had a third visit!) Maria Rita Cerilli, their Officer for Press and Social Media, met with us and took us up on their roof, with its fabulous views. Such a terrific little museum, with world-class artists like Picasso and Pollock, in a terrific little setting.
