Cinque Terre - Liguria

First Painting: Riomaggiore by Teresa Dominici,Year: 2006, Medium: Oil, Commission - Sold

Second Painting: Vernazza by Teresa Dominici, Year: 2006, Medium: Acrylic, Sold

The Cinque Terre nestled along the west coast of Italy are five small towns that make up the Cinque Terre. They are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggoire.

Monterosso: This is one of the larger towns, and it is has a very nice public beach that is usually very busy, but still nice because of its scenery. 

Vernazza: seems to be one of the more popular of the town in Cinque Terre because it certainly was the most crowded. You can walk down the main street, past a small piazza that is really just a widened spot in the road and is often the site of street entertainers, to the little beach at the end of the road. It's protected from the ocean by a small breakwater, and is surrounded by cafes. Overlooking all this picturesqueness is the requisite Italian antique church.

Corniglia: is the only town of the five not on the water. This town is known for its vineyards and olive groves, so if you love wine and olives, this is your place! The historical parts of this town were preserved nicely.

Riomaggiore: I loved this town. It was not as touristy and there is a nice little harbor, as well.

Manarola: is the oldest town in the Cinque Terre region of Italy, dating back to the early fourteenth century. 

The residents of Manarola Italy make their living mainly by producing wine and fishing. Their local wine, Sciacchetra, has been revered for hundreds of years. In fact, historical Roman documents make several mentions of the high quality of the wine. Manarola vacations can be spent hiking, touring wineries, or exploring historical churches.

Cinque Terre, Italy: Rustic Riviera

Title, Link, below Text & Video
 by:
 Rick Steves' Network - www.ricksteves.com

Tucked along a series of rugged ravines lining the Mediterranean coast, the five pastel villages of Italy's Cinque Terre welcome travelers with traffic-free lanes, glorious views, and plenty of excuses to relax in the sun. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com. 

Venezia, Italia

Painting: Sunrise in Venice by Teresa Dominici, Year: 2009, Medium: Oil, Sold

Venice is world-famous for its canals. The Grand Canal, about 3 km long, winds through Venice from northwest to southeast, dividing the city into two nearly equal portions. The Giudecca Canal, about 400 m (about 1310 ft) wide, separates Giudecca Island, on the extreme south, from Venice proper. No motor vehicles are permitted on the narrow, winding lanes and streets that penetrate the old city, and the bridges are for pedestrians only.

Painting: The Gondolier by Teresa Dominici, Year: 2006, Medium: oil, Sold.

The most famous of the three bridges spanning the Grand Canal is the Rialto Bridge (1588), lined with a double row of shops.

St Marks Square, or Piazza San Marco in Italian, is filled with activity and hosts several attractions. The campanile (Bell Tower), St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's (duke's) palace, and the Bridge of Sighs to name a few. Pigeons chasing is still a popular and accessible diversion during a visit to St. Marks Square (piazza S. Marco).

 Painting by: Teresa Dominici

Title: A Gondolier on the Grand Canal
Size: 18"x24", (45x60 cm),
Medium: Acrylic on canvas (3/4" deep),
Year: 2013

To experience the rich visual images that Venice offers to those plying the waters of the ancient canals, a gondola ride is mandatory. A beautiful picture awaits around ever turn. For visitors that truly want to understand the beauty and history of the Venetians, this experience should not be missed. Depending on season and time of day, a 45 minute gondola tour of the city's canals could cost as much as $150 (not including a tip for an exceptional gondolier who provides excellent service or sings on request) The gondola ride was definitely worth the premium price. I can think of no better way to experience Venice.

The soft sound of people's multilingual conversations rising in volume as our gondola approached each bridge and then trailing off as we moved away through the canal, added to the charm of the excursion. Though it was a very public experience, the gondola ride did bring the romance for which Venice is known.

Venice, Italy: Gondola Gliding

Title, Link, below Text & Video 
by:
 www.ricksteves.com

For open air art in Venice, you need only to look at the canals. Sleek and graceful, gondolas are a symbol of this most serene city. On a gondola, romantics glide through their own parallel Venice, experiencing echoes of the past, and reflections of once upon a time grandeur. 

For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit http://www.ricksteves.com/.