No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice
by By Martin, Judith
Category: Travel , Europe , Italy

Love of Venice can strike anyone, not just romantic wusses. Among the toughies with serious cases were Lord Byron, Richard Wagner, Ezra Pound, and Ernest Hemingway. Symptoms include:Wishing that the movie stars in films set in Venice would move aside so that you can get a better view of the scenery.Wondering why people ask if you had good weather when you were thereas if rain could dampen your love.Thinking that people who go to Tuscany or Provence must be nuts.Believing that the "Per San Marco" street sign with arrows pointing in opposite directions makes perfect sense.Consoling yourself when you leave by remembering the generations of Venetian merchants who, as they were borne away from Venice, vowed to be back as soon as they had more money.There is no cure for this affliction. This is a guide to managing it.