Posted by VBS on 2/9/2012 to
Venice
Working in Venice in January and February is always cold and we dress warmly. In 20 years, it has not been this cold. The temperatures have been as low as 16 degrees F and with the wind coming from the north, it felt much colder. The lagoon began freezing over on the edges and we hurried across the bridge to make pictures. Along the canal, icicles hang from the boats and the boat stops.
It is great to arrive at our beadmakers with their canelo (torches) glowing with heat. We bundle up and brave the wind which blows through the small streets off the lagoon. Still it is beautiful along the Grand Canal at night enjoying the lighted palazzo of Venice.
If you are warmly dressed, its a great time to be in Venice as it prepares for Carnevale 2012. Streets are deserted and there is plenty of room on the vaporetti. (Funny, no tourist want to stand our front, everyone hurries inside to stay warm.)
Enjoy some scenes from this icy but beautiful city in our slideshow on youtube. (click on picture to view.)