.......I never got tired of looking at the gondolas that Venice is famous for. They looked so romantic and so inviting, especially compared to the public transit boats, which were overcrowded, where even dogs were allowed on board. One cute little dog I remember in particular, was so distraught by all the commotion on the boat. He kept up his growling and high pitched whining and tried to snap (bite) at every passerby. His owner had a tough time controlling him! Another observation we made while people-watching in Venice, was that they were all very well dressed, especially the young men & women, and often elegantly so. (With the exception of many Americans, like us!!) Italians say they can always spot an American by their clothes. As for myself, I dress for comfort! But what I can't understand at all is how all these young women can wear those extremely high heeled shoes, ESPECIALLY in ROME, where the entire city center is virtually all cobblestone streets, full of cracks and crannies everywhere. Yet, we saw only ONE women get her heel stuck and take a tumble, ----only one. Just AMAZING!