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Online Magazine for Learners of English Venezia, Italy, A Unique Experience Carmen England from Peru Photo from Carmen England Let me tell you, riding a gondola is a unique experience. When you're sitting there admiring the views and mavelling at how the place holds thousands years of history, you realize that there is no other place in the world like Venezia.   As a student at school I have always been fascinated by learning more and more about the countries in Europe. I had my favorites countries, and one of them was Italy. A few months ago, I went to Europe and had the greatest experience of my life. I went to visit ancient Venezia, or Venice. From books and my teachers, I had learned a lot of history and geography, but what I got to know and experience during my trip to Venezia was remarkable. It was almost summer time, and at that time of the year many tourists go to Venezia. In fact, Venetian people told me that Venezia is always crowded with tourists from all over the world, and in summer time it is completely full. My husband and I traveled to Venezia by train, and my strongest memory is of our arrival. I remember I could not sleep the night before thinking about Venezia and what I should do first when I arrived there. It was around eight o’clock in the morning when the train announced that we were in Venezia. For one second I thought I was dreaming. For me, it was strange to believe that I was really in one of the most ancient countries in the world. As I told you before, Italy has always been one of the countries I most wanted to visit one day. Well, my wish came true that day. When we left the train station, I found out that I was in a completely different world where you could not find taxis or other transportation. Unbelievably, there were no cars, buses or motorcycles, only gondolas in the canals. Standing outside the train station I was immobile for a second, trying to accept the reality of being in Venezia. I looked around, and it was just marvelous. The day was perfect; the sun was shining over the Grand Canal in front of my eyes giving life to the old bridges; and the riding in a gondola was an incredible experience for me. While I was taking in the astonishing scenery around me; my husband was with a gondolier (the person who steers the gondola). They agreed on much the trip from the train station to our hotel would be. Our hotel was quite far away, but we decided the ride would be worth it. Enjoying the fresh morning air and the early hour, we appreciated a wonderful panorama of Venezia. We took the gondola because it is the only way to move around over there, but let me tell you, riding a gondola is a unique experience. When you're sitting there admiring the views and mavelling at how the place holds thousands years of history, you realize that there is no other place in the world like Venezia. It wasan indescribable sensation; I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. Return to: Travel the Globe Virtually | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2007 topics.mag@gmail.com Published by Sandy and Thomas Peters