Venetian Sunsets

The best time to make the crossing from the Lido to Venice is just before sunset so you can watch the golden glow come over the city as you approach. It's early evening and the ocean air is cool after the heat of the day and a fine mist covers your skin as the vaporetto chugs over the waves. The smell of diesel mixes with salt and the engine is loud behind you but it all mixes together to lull you as your gaze settles on the glowing city in the distance. The setting sun blazes a warm fire across the sky and sparkles as it catches the campanile ringing in the evening. It travels jumping from rooftop to rooftop setting fires to the gold plated spires and mosaics on the Basilica di San Marco before racing to San Giorgio and beyond. As you come closer, La Serenissima reveals that her beauty still exists even in these days beyond the flower of her youth- in fact, she is more beautiful now with her cracked lines and history. You are coming closer, minutes from docking and returning to her heart but for half a minute you wish you could stay in the middle of the ocean forever just at dusk admiring her glistening in the falling light.