Venice: From Dream to Reality

Venice is one city in the world that has been in my bucket list to visit during my lifetime. Little did I know that 2016 would be the year that this dream of visiting the city would become a reality. Thanks to the Balik sa Basik fashion shows of Renee Salud. Venice is the first stop of our shows in Europe.

The Hotel Russott Ballroom was the venue of our show in Venice. It is one hotel near the airport that has a spacious venue for different types of events. Although service is by the hour and per hour, its personnel are very gracious and helpful. Everything we asked for were given to us almost instantly.

Of course, a trip to Venice would not be complete without traversing through its narrow pathways and seeing the canals that make the city a special one. Complete with Italian and European architecture, it is like being inside an architectural book brought into reality. Tourists, local and foreigners, enjoy the sights of the city.

The islands of Murano and Burano are must-see places when in Venice. Murano is famous for its crystals which command good prices. Tourists must just be careful in buying Murano crystals because fake ones abound. Burano, on the other hand, is famous for the colorful houses of its residents. It is like being in a craft store but made of true houses.

The Canale delle Fondamente Nuove is the major gateway to Venice and to other beautiful towns that surround the city. It was through the trip to the other places in Venice that I saw how Italians were able to preserve structures as well as have the discipline to make the city a clean one despite the droves of tourists.

The Piazza San Marco is the focal point of one's trip to Venice. It is where all tourists converge to play with the doves or ride the gondola in traversing the city's canals. It is where one can find the best architectural designs that can be seen from its domes, churches, museums and other establishments. It is where one can appreciate the true Italian ambience.

With the many areas of art in Venice, you cannot just have enough. Every corner presents surprises that can only be seen there. The ones you see in books and magazines are right before your eyes. I just marvel at how they were able to preserve its heritage.

Religiosity is one trait that Italians adhere to. Just like in any other city in Italy, churches abound. Coupled with rich designs that depict the richness of the country's culture and its strong adherence to the catholic faith.

From its canals and monuments, Venice is a city that has kept its image as a bastion of art, culture and religion. From where Marco Polo started his journey, Venice is place worth visiting.

With the world getting smaller, the dream of going to Venice is not just a dream anymore. 2016 made it a reality for me.

Special thank you to our Balik sa Basik producer Laarni Silva, our Venice leg producers Ness Araja, Runna Pervado & the B52s, one of our gracious hosts Belinda Rodrigo and all the others who made our stay in Venice a very special one. We hope to see you again in the future.

There's More to Sausages and the Boys Choir in Vienna

Vienna in Austria is listed as the most livable city in the world. That's according to a survey made early this year. I would not wonder why. This peaceful city really feels warm despite the cold weather. It is a place worth visiting and deserving of the accolade.

Vienna is typical of any other European city. It is a mixture of the old and the new. Old architectural buildings have been maintained despite the proliferation of modern structures.

Part of the maintenance done by the government is having stores use the facade of building in their original state. Even the big-named houses of fashion and other business establishments make do with the buildings where they stores/businesses are located. I call it respect for legacy.

Vienna has a United Nations headquarters which decentralizes the activities of the world organization which has a Swiss office. Several offices are housed to cater to the needs of certain advocacies. Of course, there are castles upon castles since Austria was once ruled by the monarchy.

As in any other city in Europe, Vienna has many churches. Almost every corner we go to, we saw churches. One particular church that caught my attention was the St. Stephan Cathedral. The interiors of the said church can be considered baroque and modern. Austrians have a way of incorporating religion and art.

Despite the modern times, one can see artistry at its best. There is a certain aura of elegance which is very evident most especially in a modern city like Vienna.

Nearby Parndorf is a place where people who love shopping can go around to their hearts delight. Different brands, both known and start-ups, sell their wares at discounted prices. It is an outlet area which is visited by almost all tourists who go to Vienna. Never miss Parndorf!

Looking at Vienna from the mountain top, you will see a city that is serene yet it exudes a certain appeal of a place which is moving forward with the times. It is indeed deserving of its title as the World's Most Livable City.

Special thanks go to our host, Mrs. Angelita Santos, for taking care of us during our stay in Vienna. Her kindness and hospitality and that of her family and relatives truly made our trip to Austria a very memorable one. Thank you also to Elmer and Ellen Blanco for the valuable time they shared.

I would not mind going back to Vienna, if given another chance. After this trip, I realized that there is really more to Vienna than sausages and the boys' choir. It surely has a lot to offer.