December 6, 2002 - page 2

Luckily, when we arrived the city was just toweling off after her most recent bout of floods, each of which invades priceless Renaissance buildings and sends pigeons and pedestrians alike scrambling for high ground. The labyrinth of meandering canals and confusing alleys keeps both tourists and locals constantly lost. Locating the Orient must have been a cakewalk for Marco Polo after finding his way out of town. But Venice is one place where you don’t at all mind losing your bearings. Wandering through town is the best (and only, really) thing to do, and exploring this turn-back-the-clock island is truly one of the highlights of all Europe.

From the beautiful canals of Venice we journeyed to the beautiful shores of the Italian Riviera. Can you spot the trend? The isolated cliffs and trails of Cinque Terra, five hamlets tacked precariously onto hills overlooking the Mediterranean, have been a favorite retreat of Europeans for years and are only now being discovered by North American interlopers. The ancient edifices, vineyards, and promontories combine to make this 10 kilometer stretch of coast, bypassed by progress and linked by trails, one of the most unspoiled and relaxing places around.