With its arching bridges, narrow passageways, pastel-colored buildings, and centuries-old churches, Venice never disappoints. I doubt I could tire of seeing the city’s unique beauty. But one my favorite sights around Venice is the boats that cut through the water of the lagoon that embraces the city on all sides.

The sleek black gondolas, of course, are the most iconic of the vessels. Their slim, flat-bottomed bodies were built to navigate the lagoon and they are perhaps the most recognizable feature of Venice – along with the gondoliers who propel the boats with their single oars while traditionally clad in black- and white-striped shirts, black pants and flat-topped, wide-brimmed straw hats.

Motorized water taxis with polished wood that gleams under the northern Italy sun while racing across the water are also fun to see. Then there are vaporettos, or water buses, that carry people through the canals from one “station” to another, as well as boats that carry packages and food and beverages across the city. 

Boat watching is one of my favorite pastimes while in Venice. During a recent visit there for the beginning of Carnevale, sunny days and blue skies helped to let me capture some of my favorite boat sightings in these photos. – post by Judy