LocumLife - August 2008 - (Page 29)

ISLAND HOPPING M ust-see stops on any tour, the distinctive islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello, and the Lido punctuate the Venetian Lagoon, and are easily accessible via the vaporetto or private water taxi. Murano has been home to Venice’s famed glass industry since 1291. Murano glass is renowned for its dynamic colors, intricate details, and daring designs. There are many glass workshops on the island that offer demonstrations to tourists followed by visits to their showrooms of glittering masterpieces. The Museo Vetrario (closed on Wednesdays), in the Palazzo Giustinian, features a glassmaker who does demonstrations and provides a comprehensive look at the history of glassmaking. Also of interest is the Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato and its medieval mosaic floor dating from 1140. A short vaporetto ride away is the island of Burano, known for its lacework and boldly painted houses. After a decline in the lace industry in the 18th century, a special school (Scuola dei Merletti) was set up where you can still see authentic Burano lace being made. Walking around this small, colorful island is a delight, especially when the fishermen sail in with the day’s fresh catch. The island of Torcello, once more powerful than Venice and now with a population of less than 50 people, boasts the oldest building in the Venetian lagoon. The cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunta was founded in 639 AD and has one-of-a-kind ancient mosaics, most notably the Apse and Doomsday Mosaics. Lido, home to the Venice International Film Festival and some famous hotels, is an 11-mile sandbar off the coast of Venice with striking views of the city. Many of the beaches are private, but at each end of the island, there are public beaches to be enjoyed. Circle Career Card No. 611 by the Senate in 1630 as an offering to the Virgin Mary for protection from the plague. To this day, La Festa della Madonna della Salute is held on November 21. On the banks of the Grand Canal is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, world famous for its works of modern art. More than 200 paintings and sculptures amassed by Guggenheim adorn the museum, which was once her home. Another fine museum is the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses five centuries of Venetian paintings and is considered one of Italy’s best. Other museums worth a look are the contemporary art museum Ca’ Pesaro with works by Klimt, Chagall, and Matisse, and the once famous palazzo Ca’ Rezzonico— Circle Career Card No. 607 AUGUST 2008 LocumLife 29 http://www.vistastaff.com/physicians/blog http://www.vistastaff.com http://www.vistastaff.com http://www.maximphysicians.com/locumlife http://www.maximphysicians.com/locumlife

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of LocumLife - August 2008

LocumLife - August 2008 Insights Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Survey Says Resources Last-Minute Luxury Residency Corner Prescribed Advice Urgent Care Career Center Advertisers' Index Opportunities Direct Destinations Passport Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - August 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.