by donnsaylor: Gliding Along Casanova's Playground in Venice, Italy

In the off-season, Venice reverts from a tourist-clogged tidal wave back to the essence of its original nickname: La Serenissima ("The Most Serene"). From St. Marks Square, after haggling with the playful gondoliers in their resplendent finery, we set sail through Casanova's playground, languidly drifting through the fog-laden canals of Venice evening. The water lazily slaps against the side of the sleek black vessel, creating a music that even Venetian son Vivaldi could not emulate. Rounding a corner, more accompaniment washes over us from the top floor of some once-grand palazzo: piano music spilling into the canal below.