Morning in Venice

Reading Beth Habian’s piece, “Visons of Venice,” in the April 2013 issue of ITN reminded me of a trip my wife, Elissa, and I took there in October 2006. As Beth pointed out, to explore Venice when the hordes of day-tourists have gone is special. But I want to add an especially magical time to experience Venice: dawn. Take the Number 1 vaporetto  toward Lido and get off at least two stops past San Marco. This vaporetto ride is magnificent, as you pass palaces and churches silhouetted against the dawn sky. Then, as the sun is coming up, start walking back toward Piazza San Marco on the Riva degli Schiavoni. As the early morning light illuminates the scene, Venice and its buildings appear to glow.

RICHARD FINERMAN

Palm Springs, CA