Assumption College Presents: Ah, Venice...

“It is supremely appropriate that everything dedicated to [God] should be made to the highest level of perfection of which we are capable.” I came across these words a month ago, reading Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio’s Quattro libri dell’architettura, a treatise that espoused “the essential principles that must be followed by all intelligent men eager [...]

“Boom!” With the roar of the cannon at 9:00 AM, the boats, which inundated the Bacino di San Marco, began to move in unison. The Vogalonga had begun, the longest of all the rowing races on the lagoon, showcasing the standing oar-stroke and elegant flat wooden boats so characteristic of Venice. As Saint Mark’s Basin [...]

d “Okay everyone…” Dr. Lazar cooed over the bus intercom, “it is time to wake up.” I stirred in my seat and reluctantly opened my eyes after dozing off in our modern private bus for an excursion into the hill country of the Veneto. For my effort, an incredible view of the Maser countryside rewarded [...]

“I challenge you to try to resist the temptation to purchase a piece of glass while in Venice.” Dr. Lazar posed this particular challenge four months ago at an information session. At the time of the challenge, I smirked. Now on Murano, an island famous for centuries for its glass making, the smirk was gone. [...]

“I think that you are most certainly a child of the Baroque.” Exiting The Church of San Moise, Dr. Beall shared with me her professional opinion, with which Dr. Lazar promptly concurred. Thoroughly impressed by the self-described “Baroccian” church, I was in no position to disagree. Dr. Beall’s opinion, however, culminated a day that involved [...]

“One more bridge.” Carrying our luggage over three bridges (as opposed to the four on our day of arrival), we felt the reality of our return to the United States of America both physically and mentally. Who knew that our calves would have gotten so much exercise on the obligatory Venetian “stair-master?” Awaiting the vaporetto [...]