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.

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.

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.

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.

One day we decided to experience the green side of Venice. We learnt that there are two quite big parks in Venice - Parco delle Rimembranze and Giardini Pubblici. While walking along the latter one we encountered a strange sight. A long, vertical structure in a shape of a boat was rising before our eyes right, as it seemed, from the water of the lagoon. What on earth was it?

Take the first step out of the vaporetto and there they are. The colourful fairy-tale houses of Burano. Burano - first sight, Venice, Italy It’s easy to reach the island of Burano by vaporetto. The trip lasts less than an hour (you can stop at Murano to buy some glass jewellery) and the island is quite small so you can visit Murano, Burano and Torcello in one day.

There are places in Venice where entry is forbidden. Forbidden neither by law nor by local customs. Forbidden by laws of physics. no trespasing, Venice, Italy There are no pavements, there is no place to put a foot.

When preparing for the trip from Venice to Torcello take into account the time needed for the trip itself (about 1 hour from Fondamente Nuove to Torcello, changing the vaporetto on Burano), the opening hours of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with the bell tower, the Santa Fosca Church and the archaeological museum. A vaporetto gives you an opportunity to reach Torcello while experiencing breathtaking views of the lagoon of Venice and some aspects of the life of the local inhabitants.

Somebody had told us once (or we had read it somewhere) that Venice is nothing more than buildings and water. To see a tree there is something unique. Thus mentally prepared off we went to explore the treeless Venice. I must say that what we saw shocked us. Was that someone completely blind or something? Or maybe all he had achieved in Venice was to visit St. Mark’s Square and go back inland?

Yes, we definitely like travelling. But we definitely like animals too. So it’s inevitable that while travelling we pay attention to (almost) any living forms;-)) What does a dog’s life look like in a city situated on water for example? Not that bad, I must say. The one we saw had its own boat;-) A dog in a boat in Venice, Italy The other one seemed to be the owner of a mask-selling shop.

Venice is different. No doubt about it. There is no other so famous a city constructed on wooden piles, surrounded by water, crossed by many canals and so full of beautiful buildings and charming places. After a while you get used to the thought that Venice is exceptional. By that I definitely don’t mean you get bored with Venice. Far from that! You just simply take for granted that you are supposed to encounter something special every minute of your stay there.

Well, at long last (but not least;-)) here come Venice curiosities part three. Have a look at this fantasic mixture of Italy and China for a start. Ristorante Chinatown in Venice, Italy Once we visited one Korean restaurant in Giudecca to have… Tiramisu. Well, as you can see everything’s possible. Apart from Tiramisu what is the most typical and well-known and loved worldwide speciality of the Italian cuisine?

Well, it’s high time to take care of Venice curiosities for the second time;-) What was omnipresent in Venice was renovation. The cranes standing here and there but most of all the canvas! No, no, there was not any art exhibition on this occasion, although… Well, to get this straight, I mean the canvas they put on the buildings that are being renovated. Nothing strange in that? I’m afraid you are wrong.

It’s really amazing to stand on the bridge and be able to admire Santa Maria della Salute on the one side and the Canale Grande on the other at the same time but not in the same light. Here is the Santa Maria della Salute view.