Then we decided to look for the graves of some famous people buried in San Michele cemetery… San Michele cemetery - Orthodox part entrance, Venice, Italy In the Orthodox part we easily found the grave of Sergei Diaghilev - the founder of the Ballets Russes, San Michele cemetery - Orthodox part - Sergei Diaghilev grave, Venice, Italy and a few steps away two graves put side by side, one of Igor Stravinsky, the other of Vera Stravinsky.

San Michele cemetery - decorated tomb, Venice, Italy From the courtyard you can move on in many different directions. We chose the nearest gate and there we saw a small, contemporary part of the cemetery with ordinary graves - nothing really special. We have read somewhere that San Michele is supposed to be the resting place for the Venetians only for 10 years. After that time the ashes are moved to some other cemeteries.

When you stroll along Fondamenta Nuove you can see San Michele cemetery - an island so different from the rest of the Venetian islands. It’s not very lively here, you know;-)) <img src=“san-michele-cemetery-close-up-venice-italy-19-36-24_s.jpg” “title=“San Michele cemetery - close-up, Venice, Italy” /> Nevertheless, it’s worth the short trip from Fondamenta Nuove. <img src=“san-michele-cemetery-white-chapel-venice-italy-p3315104_s.jpg” “title=“San Michele cemetery - white chapel, Venice, Italy” /> The cemetery looks much smaller on the outside than it really is.

What you have to be prepared for, when going to Venice, Italy, is that the very building you have craved to see for such a long time, might be currently undergoing renovation. What it means may be really painful. It may simply mean you won’t see the building of your dreams at all as it will be totally covered either with scaffolding… … or with a large piece of canvas.

Talking about renovation… Palazzo Ducale (The Doge's Palace) - scaffolding, Venice, Italy Take Saint Mark’s Square. You go there certain you will fully encompass the beauty of the Piazza this time. Pavement around Campanile renovated, Venice, Italy Nothing further from the truth! One-fourth of the pavement is being changed and the view that used to be so marvellous is now completely spoiled by some hideous fence they put to preserve the site.

A visit to the castle is an ideal one-day trip (unless you live far, far away, that is ;-). Well, what I mean is that one can enjoy the place fully in one day only. Nevertheless, it really is worth seeing. The sixteenth-century castle, its most famous owners having been the Leszczynski family, is a real jewel. Baranów Sandomierski castle view The castle has an inner courtyard with an exceptional staircase roofed with what resembles an ancient Japanese helmet or something.

Unless somebody really knows it is there, he most certainly won’t find it. Scala del Bovolo - top, Venice, ItalyScala del Bovolo - top, Venice, Italy Hidden in a labyrinth of narrow streets, suddenly changing their direction, this Renaissance jewel is truly worth seeing. Narrow street near Scala del Bovolo, Venice, Italy You can find it a short walk from Campo Manin, just follow the arrows.

I think most people know that Castel Gandolfo is the summer home of the Pope. I think many have been received in the special audiences. But how many people realize what lies outside the residence itself? How many had enough time to explore the surroundings of the famous place? We were lucky indeed as we did have quite a lot of time to do it. What struck us was that once you passed the Pope’s palace you were almost immediately thrust onto an amazing view.

When we visited Burano for the first time, we were truly taken by the colourful surroundings, as if straight from a fairy tale. Colourful buildings in Burano, Venice, Italy We took hundreds of photos and bought some postcards as well. Later at home I noticed a very interesting house in one of the postcards. It captured our attention because it was completely different from the rest of the colourful houses in Burano.

I must confess… ;-)) I’ve already been there three times and I’ve not had enough. Whenever I have another chance, I’ll go there again. What is more, the place I’m talking about changes constantly. Every year it looks different. Every time you see it, there’s something new and although you feel it has changed, you love it all the same. The Tatra Mountains, Poland What I’m talking about is a place in the Tatra Mountains National Park, which I call Rzędy as this name was the closest on the map to where I found myself.