Venice - Cruising the City of Canals
Venice - Queen of the Adriatic
Charles Aznavour wrote and recorded this song in 1964 that describes how sad one of the world’s most romantic cities can be when you’ve lost your love. Aznavour, often described as the "Frank Sinatra of France", is considered by many to be the king of torch songs. I’ve posted his original lyrics as well as the English translation:
Que C'est Triste Venise
Que c'est triste Venise
Au temps des amours mortes
Que c'est triste Venise
Quand on ne s'aime plus.
On cherche encore des mots
Mais l'ennui les emporte
On voudrait bien pleurer
Mais on ne le peut plus.
Que c'est triste Venise
Lorsque les barcaroles
Ne viennent souligner que les silences creux
Et que le coeur se serre
En voyant les gondolles
Abriter le bonheur des couples amoureux.
Que c'est triste Venise
Au temps des amours mortes
Que c'est triste Venise
Quand on ne s'aime plus.
Les musées, les églises
Ouvrent en vain leurs portes
Inutile beauté
Devant nos yeux déçus.
Que c'est triste Venise
Le soir sur la lagune
Quand on cherche une main
Que l'on ne vous tend pas
Et que l'on ironise
Devant le clair de lune
Pour tenter d'oublier
Ce que l'on ne se dit pas.
Adieu tous les pigeons
Qui nous ont fait escorte
Adieu Pont des Soupirs
Adieu rĂŞves perdus.
C'est trop triste Venise
Au temps des amours mortes
C'est trop triste Venise
Quand on ne s'aime plus.
How Sad Venice Can Be
How sad
When you return alone
A fond memory
In every paving stone.
I walk among the bird
That fill St. Marco’s Square
With echoes of her words
Around me in the air.
How sad Venice can be
When mandolins play
A song she sung for me
One unforgotten day.
Like images of sleep
The gondoliers go by
But when I try to weep
I find my tears are dry.
How sad Venice can be
When mist is in your eyes
And you can hardly see
As pigeons fill the skies.
I find the little street
And then the old café
Where we would always meet
To dream away the day.
How sad Venice can be
Beneath the silent moon
That rises from the sea
And silvers the lagoon.
I hear the vespers chime
And cross the Bridge of Sighs
I know that it is time
To bid my last goodbye.
There's nothing more to say
I pass beneath the light
And then I turn away
From Venice in the night.
How sad Venice can be
It's too lonely to bare
When you have lost the love
That you discovered there.
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
VENEZIA - LA SERENISSIMA
Venezia (Venice) is a city of stone built on marshy mudflats of a lagoon that stretches across numerous small islands along the Adriatic Sea. I agree with those who say that there is no place on earth quite like La Serenissima (the Most Serene).
In this humble American's opinion, below are some of the top sights and things to do:
• St. Mark’s Cathedral
• Doge’s Palace
• Piazza San Marco
• The Grand Canal
• Bridge of Sighs
• Rialto Bridge
• Gondola Ride
• Accademia Gallery (praised highly by a couple of trusted friends; unfortunately, I didn’t visit it)
Quality Café and Restaurant near Piazza San Marcos
• Caffe Florian (south side of Piazza San Marcos, call +39-041-520-5641)
• Vino Vino (informal wine-bar restaurant www.vinovino.co.it)
Other recommended one-of-a-kind activities in Venice
• Gondola Driving Lessons (contact Casanova/Oltrex at +39-041-524-2840 or +39-041-522-4566)
• Doge’s Palace “Secret Itineraries” Tour (stop by or call +39-041-520-9070)
• Campanile di San Marcos elevator to the top for a spectacular view of Venice
• Sunday evening 6:45 p.m. mass at St. Mark’s Cathedral (no “tourists” allowed, so dress appropriately, arrive on time, stay in your pew and sit quietly to the end)
I had one of the best days of my Mediterranean cruise roaming the city of 118 islands joined by 409 bridges. To me, Venice deservedly lives up to its title of “Queen of the Adriatic.”
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
