Last year today, I was in Venice. This age old floating city is a world on its own right, almost surreal and too marvellous to be true, like a mirage.

Venice was my last stop before Milan. I had flown in to Napoli and worked my way up: Napoli – Pompeii – Sorrento – Isola di Capri – Roma – Sienna – Firenze – Pisa – Verona – Venezia – Milano.

In Italy, every city is a wonder, but I can’t deny that in the course of my prolonged trip, my eyes were getting used to the picturesque scenery after scenery, and a grandiose edifice after another that my marginal appreciation for the next city was slowly decreasing like an ungrateful 7th grader on a field trip.

Then I arrived in Venice. It was completely different, like I had teleported to a different space time continuum. I had seen nothing like this.

When I set foot on the stone walkway, I was astonished by how close I was to the sea-green colored water flowing deeply and nonchalantly through the narrow canals for ages. It was quite something to really be there and feel it. Water is much more than just a part of the Venetian life, it was everything.

Venice is literally packed with tourists flocking in from all corners of the world.

I’m sure there are many fabulous hotels in Venice, but I booked one that was just around the corner of the train station where I got off. I did not want to waste my time hauling my luggage trying the find the hotel.  I arrived in Venice around 2 pm, checked in immediately, and started exploring the city on foot with no map but just my camera. I wanted to see where the narrow alleyways lead to. If I get lost along the way, I would just have to hop on a vaporetto bound for the station. As always, no plan is the best plan.

Ai Weiwei

Biennale di Venezia, 01. Juni bis 24. November 2013, Venedig.

Der deutsche Beitrag für die Biennale 2013 in Venedig wird hochpolitisch: Den Pavillon der Bundesrepublik sollen neben anderen der chinesische Bürgerrechtler Ai Weiwei und der Filmemacher Romuald Karmakar bespielen – und Deutschland als “Teil eines weltweiten Netzwerks” darstellen.

Codognè Treviso Veneto Italia. Queste le mie radici. Il Veneto è la mia Regione, il posto dove sono nati i miei genitori, nonni, bisnonni,trisnonni e cosi’ via.

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The biggest surprise was that it didn’t smell that bad. Just because its was spring time and there wasn’t as many tourist as there would be if it was summer like July or August. It was great just because in my mind I always thought that it would smell like a sewer because, well it was one for so long. The coolest thing is taking a water bus instead of an actual bus. There aren’t any cars on the actual island of Venice. Everyone takes a boat and it was fun pointing out different things like a police boat, or an ambulance boat.

We stayed on the island of Lido which is an island that is about a 30 minute waterbus ride to S. Marco piazza. First night we went out on the town. Our bed and breakfast owner told us that Venice is very safe and not to be afraid to go out. The only thing is that there will be people on the street trying to sell you fake bags. It was great to be able to see the city at night, especially S. Marco piazza because there are fewer tour groups, the lights in the square are turned on and there is live music playing. It’s very nice to see and look at.

We knew before hand that Venice would be expensive. We were prepared to spend money. So we decided to sit on a patio a little ways down from S. Marco square. Since the view was over the ocean and the it was expensive but worth the experience. Another big thing is gelato and prices in Venice are quite reasonable. It’s average 1.50 euros for a single scoop.

Wenn du in Venedig bist, fühlst du dich als Besucherin einer kleinen Welt, die abgeschottet von der Realität zu sein scheint. Jede Menge Touristen, die von einer Sehenswürdigkeit zur nächsten traben, ein Haufen Fotos machen und Venedig wie ein seltenes Ausstellungsstück in einem Museum behandeln. Und plötzlich wird man überrascht – von einer Gruppe von Leuten, die Eier und Farben an die Wände eines United Color of Benetton Store werfen. Und man denkt sich: Oh-Wow. So schaut Venedig tatsächlich aus – ohne den ganzen Reiseführer-Blabla und ohne den ganzen “Heile-Welt” Scheiß

Travelling means to get a look behind the scenes. Reisen bedeutet Einblicke hinter die “Kulissen” zu bekommen.

Here you go:

1. True or False: Casanova’s lover M.M. didn’t learn his name until months after they had commenced their affair.

2. How long did Casanova stay at the seminary of San Cipriano di Murano?

3. What Greek classic did Casanova translate?

4. What was the name of Casanova’s dog at the end of his life, which, coincidentally, was also the name of the cat that was killed when the Campanile of Venice collapsed in 1902?

5. What degree did Casanova earn from his studies in Padua?

Good luck! Contest closes June 9 at midnight California time.

Here’s the Guardian’s review of Venice Is a Fish (though the copy I’ll send you has the American cover).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jul/18/venice-fish-tiziano-scarpa-review

When you are traveling in unfamiliar locations, be sure to watch for scammers posing as government officials trying to take advantage of you. Don’t give anyone your original passport; you will probably never see it again. If they want to take you in for questioning, insist on walking. Do not get into a vehicle with strangers at home or abroad.

Always remember to wear light, comfy shoes for air travel – shoes which you can slip off easily. When you go through security checks, you will be required to take them off. Comfort over style is paramount when traveling. Because you will do more sitting than standing good support shoes are not necessary. The best shoes for flying might well be sandals or flip-flops.

Traveling is a great way to educate your family. As long as you are careful, you should feel confident about visiting developing nations, as they can offer extremely enlightening experiences for your children and you. When you spend time abroad, you give yourself and your family a greater understanding of another culture and the world at large.

Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. For bell hops, tip a dollar for every bag they carry. With housekeepers, leave between two and five dollars for every day they care for your room. Tipping the people who assist you during your stay will help to develop a relationship with the staff, and entice them to provide you with optimum service.

When traveling by air, wear loose, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily. You might have to take them off quickly for security checks. The most important thing is comfort. The ideal pair of shoes should also be as light as possible for the long hours you will spend sitting. A perfect type of footwear for travelling is sandals.

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Most countries have explicit rules regarding your passport. Even if it is still valid, if it expires soon, you may have problems. Normally, this range is between three and six months, but it can even be eight months to a year.

You should always find out well in advance of your trip if you need a visa to visit a country. You should apply for one quite a while before you travel, as they can sometimes take some time to process. Keep in mind that if you lack the proper visa, you will not be allowed to enter certain countries.

Purchase the National Park Pass if national parks are something you and your family visit quite often. For fifty dollars, you can visit all the parks all year long.

the reason people have bad vacation experiences is because they did not plan ahead. The pointers presented in this article can help you properly plan a vacation which will be memorable and stress-free.

Today, we will be discussing the move every man needs to have in his arsenal: The Pull and Pray. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this, whether you are a virgin or just plain stupid, it is when two people are having unprotected coitus and the man rides that horse until the final second, where he “pulls out” and ejaculates safely outside of the box.

Both partners then “pray” that he was quick enough and none of his little swimmers found the pot-o-gold on the other side of the rainbow. This move typically comes into play during drunken one-night stands when neither partner gives a damn about the risk of disease or even, the worst disease of all, children (blegh).

First of all, it is a male’s responsibility not to blow it inside his partner. Unless you are trying for a baby (what is wrong with you) or there is no risk of your partner getting pregnant — ALWAYS PULL OUT. And I do not mean the woman says she uses birth control or she tells you, “It’s okay, I just finished my period.” I am talking about the off chance she may have been born without a uterus or you happen to be banging a dude (we don’t discriminate). If either of those options presents themselves to you, by all means ride it out. If not, pull out!

Now, we know this delicate skill can be a little tricky. Maybe you bagged a nine and are only a seven; you may get lost in her (or his) smoking hotness and forget to pull out until it is too late. Let it be known that this is YOUR fault. You have no one to blame but yourself for blowing plan A, and now your only job is finding a drug store open so you can implement Plan B. If anything, you should still be thanking her/him for allowing you to conquer the cave when you know damn well you’re not worthy to reach level 10. What’s the best way to thank your partner? Not getting them pregnant.

Do not underestimate the importance of the pull. You must plan ahead where you are going to be sending your underpants army for their final battle. If no towel is on hand, and the woman does not have a creepy fantasy about you ejaculating on top of the TV, her body usually becomes the target. Some women are down for this; sadly, some are not. This is why you plan ahead and display how much of a gentleman you are by asking where she would like you to come. If she says in a towel, do it in a towel. TV? TV. Inside her? RUN. Communication is always good in the bedroom, for it is the lack of such that leads to a scared sh*tless morning imagining baby rattles and mobiles. Do you want to worry about your life being over? Of course not, so always be clear with your partner about where to blow your load.

Now, since both parties are well aware that your geyser is about to erupt (or at least she should be, right? RIGHT!?), it is time for the actual pulling; there is no more time to ensure that she gets hers first. No time! NO TIME! This is also your fault, but a topic for a different day. You must make sure you are paying close attention to what your soldier of fortune is telling you, and right before you are about to lose it, thrust exxxxtra deep just once, and quickly too.

This will assure maximal pleasure before the explosion, and hopefully will pleasure her a little bit more so she forgives you later for forgetting about her needs. Thrust deep, pull out. Make sure there is enough clearance between the rifle and the holster, you want your bullets as far away as possible as not to cause any harm. Harm = pregnancy. Now let the sparks fly! (Cue gratuitous fireworks, waterfall scene, Ol’ Faithful eruption.)

Hopefully your lady allowed you to come on her. If she’s cool with raw-doggin’ it, she probably did. However, if she says, “On the stomach/ass” that means on the stomach/ass. Do not venture into the no-fly zone, i.e. cleavage and face. That is the best way never to be allowed into her airspace again. There are accidents of course; sometimes you just do not know how big or how far it is going to go. This mishap can be cleared up with a polite apology, an offer to grab a towel or tissue and a quiet snicker to yourself. Make sure she doesn’t hear the snicker.

If she does not allow you to come on her, don’t worry; there is always next time. If you’re dating the person, she/he may just need to be comfortable with you before she/he allows your man-love to venture all over her/his amazingly nekked body. If you are not dating the person, hey! You just got laid, my friend! Are you really going to fret over something like that? Of course you’re not! Are you going to lie to your buddies when they asked if you came on her? Of course you are!

Now for the second part of the method: the pray. So you think you did a good job not losing your cool whilst inside her mystical land of wonder? Think again. Your own body will sometimes fool you and send out a scouting party ahead of the main troops to make sure the coast is clear. These troublesome menaces, and your pathetic attempt at pulling out because it felt “oh so good” are the reason why you need to start praying for at least the next two weeks that nothing is growing inside that disgusting bag of blood called the uterus. And women, you need to start praying too. I doubt you want to tell your child that they were conceived off two bottles of wine with a mime named “…”. So everybody start praying. Here, we are even giving you a template so you have no excuse:

Dear (insert appropriate deity),
Thank you for an awesome time last night. Props. Now please let me get out of something you may frown upon, scott free with no consequences. I promise I will never have premarital unprotected sex again. We learn from our mistakes, and I learned that drinking tequila and wine makes for bad decisions, especially when I have a box of condoms next to my bed that I forgot about. To be fair, she/he did just grab it and shove it in.

Anyways, please (insert deity here) destroy any seed that may have been spilled in her Garden of Eden/inside my luscious goodies. We both know I’m not ready to be a parent, and my folks already think they made a mistake by sending me to live in a foreign country even though I am only 18. Please do not make me stroke their egos by telling them they were right. Your friend (insert whatever name your parents gave you).

We hoped we have helped some of you on your endless quest for ultimate ecstasy without the negativity. Remember, sex is fun! And seriously, use a condom, you dumbass.

Mark Ball
Photo Source: The Paper Wall

World’s Best Vineyards: Where to Drink Wine in 2013

In honor of National Wine Day tomorrow, Saturday, May 25th, we’re combining our two favorite things—booze and travel—to celebrate the holiday the right way.

With the search for the top vineyard hotels and best ways to pair wine with take out already sleuthed, we turned to American Express Travel Culinary and Wine Insider and Certified Sommelier, Sylvie Tannhauser, for where to drink wine this year.

With about 80 locations around the world to choose from, Tannhauser narrowed down her shortlist to the top six destinations across the world for wine enthusiasts. “We’re able to look beyond the top tourist attractions to the local spots, which capture the destination’s soul,” she said. “Each destination offers not only amazing wines, but a unique local culture that makes it worth investing in more than just a bottle, but a trip there.”

Check out her top spots for where to drink wine below.

By Sasha Levine (@sashalevine)

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
California
Sonoma County, California is the perfect destination for both the wine novice and connoisseur. It’s home to more than 360 wineries along 55 miles of Pacific coastline, with great winery tours, vineyard walks, romantic pairing dinners, and private tastings. For the dedicated aficionado, stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, where you’ll be able to sample local wines at daily complimentary tastings without ever leaving the hotel!

Monticello Wine Trail
Charlottesville, Virginia
Thomas Jefferson was one of the first to bring winemaking to U.S. soil, but despite the area’s rich history, Virginia is still an emerging destination on the wine enthusiast’s hit list. Actually, the state has a lot to offer on the wine frontier. It is now fifth in the nation for wine production, more than 230 wineries, and dozens of wine trails. When I go, I like to mix history, fitness, and wine along the Monticello Wine Trail in Charlottesville, VA. It’s striking, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you can stop by Jefferson’s Monticello estate, famously displayed on the nickel, along the way!

Steenberg Hotel
South Africa
South Africa is definitely on the map this year as a top wine destination. It’s been making great wines for years, but what continues to draw the crowds is the colorful local culture. Be sure to stop by Steenberg Hotel, the Cape’s oldest farm dating back to 1682, for a round of golf, a wine tasting, or a gourmet meal. Then, drive two hours on to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve to visit the Big Five, the endangered riverine rabbit, and the only free self-sustaining white lions in the world just two hours outside Stellenbosch.

Cantina del Locorotondo
Puglia, Italy
While Italy has always turned out some incredible wines, I really love Puglia’s wines—particularly their rosés. The Puglia region is Italy’s largest wine producer, but is more under-the-radar than Tuscany. When you go, visit Locorotondo, the City of White Wine. The architecture is white and picturesque, and Cantina del Locorotondo offers great tours, tastings, and one of my favorite rosés! While you’re in Puglia, also try out the Moscato di Trani dessert wines, another personal favorite.

L’AND Vineyards Resort
Portugal
Portugal offers the perfect blend of sunshine, landscape, food, and wine, and L’AND Vineyards Resort is the place to stay for a dream getaway. The boutique property offers 22 suites that each offer panoramic views over the lake and of Montemor Castle, a fireplace terrace, iPads, heated floors, and direct pool access. Enjoy wine tastings at the vineyard, wine pairings and a gourmet locavore meal at the restaurant, or even wine spa treatments at the Caudalie Spa.

Catena Zapata
Mendoza, Argentina
If you’re a Malbec fan, Argentina’s Mendoza region, and the 115-year-old family vineyard Catena Zapata in particular, is worth the trip. Stop by the Catena Zapata Winery at Lujan del Cuyo, in the shadow of the Andes Mountains, to learn about the history of wine in Argentina and the Catena family’s important role in building up the industry. The Catena family was the first to consider bringing Malbec to the region, and through years of research, trial, and error, have set the bar high for the Argentinian wine industry. They now have more than 1,500 acres of vineyards, ranging from 500-6,000 feet above sea level.

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The United Kingdom pretty much shares the same magazine publications as we do, but there was one thing the country was lacking: a version of their own Teen Vogue. The country has responded by launching their debut issue of Miss Vogue, their answer to all of England’s young girl’s requests.

Obviously, it would be fitting to have the most famous Brit, Cara Delevingne, cover the debut magazine. Vogue UL Editor in Chief Alexandra Shulman describes Delevingne as “Miss Vogue made physical” with a “maverick sense of style and fun” in her editor’s letter.

Delevingne was shot by Angelo Pennetta just days after the fall/winter fashion month for the cover and is wearing a baby pink paillette tank and matching skirt over a gray tee, which is so freakin’ 90’s, I’m obsessed.

It’s uncertain whether Miss Vogue will be a one-off venture or a continuing effort as of right now. The June issue was produced entirely by members of the existing Vogue UK team (I don’t know how they found the time) and it will be packaged along with it’s older version (which is covered by a sultry looking Kate Moss).

In addition to covering the debut issue of the magazine, Delevingne also had the opportunity to shoot an entire Miss Vogue spread. It’s no surprise that they chose Delevingne to cover the debut issue of Miss Vogue.

She’s so relatable, fun, funny, easy going, and is a true role model for young teenage girls. Who better to look up to than a girl who’s not afraid to be who she is? Even though she’s a high-fashion model, she never looses herself, and is unafraid to walk out in public in animal onesies.

In case you didn’t know, Prada has been undergoing a four year long legal battle with former Prada employee Rina Bovrisse, who is suing Prada Japan for alleged sexual harassment and discrimination claims. The suit took an interesting turn when Prada countersued Bovrisse for damaging its image.

Since then, Change.org has launched a petition to persuade Prada to drop the countersuit. This legal battle could be the most confusing suit in the industry to date and it’s hard to decide which side is right.

One example of discrimination Bovrisse witnessed was when a Prada Japan human resources executive ordered the demotion and transfer of numerous employees, mostly female, because they were “old, fat, ugly, disgusting or did not have the Prada look.” Bovrisse sued the company after she raised concern about the treatment of her co-workers and alleges that she was subsequently criticized for her own appearance, demoted and urged to resign.

A Tokyo court ruled in Prada’s favor in November, but the following April, Bovrisse had over 80,000 signatures (now over 200,000), on her Change.org petition against Prada. Bovrisse brought her case to the United Nations, who released an official response to Bovrisse’s testimony, which urges Japan to make sexual harassment and discrimination in the work place illegal.

The UN stated:

“The Committee urges the State party to introduce in its legislation an offence of sexual harassment, in particular in the workplace, which carries sanctions proportionate to the severity of the offence. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that victims can lodge complaints without fear of retaliation. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to raise the public awareness against sexual harassment.”

Bovrisse is reportedly happy with the ruling and was quoted in saying:

“I hope Miuccia Prada realizes we live in 2013, that the power of social networking and individual voice can [bring attention to] any brands for doing the wrong thing… I am a happier person now not wearing brands to identify myself.”

Although the suit is by no means over, it sure has taken (yet another) interesting turn.

Photo Credit: NY Mag