Venice, Italy.
Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world it is also one of the more geographically unique. Made up of over 100 islands at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea, the city of Venice is connected to the mainland by a single, four lane bridge called Ponte della Libertà (The Freedom Bridge).
Anyone that has ever visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina will have a good idea of what this area is like. Except that, instead of randomly placed and colored vacation homes being the main architecture, centuries-old half-submerged buildings that are built on top of now-petrified wood piles that were cut from forests in Slovenia are the main stay.
You have two options for transportation in the city of Venice. By foot or by water. Venice is almost entirely "car-less". The most famous form of transportation in Venice is the romantic gondola. Although it is said that now most Venetians travel by water-bus.
I have never been to Venice. I see news of their yearly flooding come up from time-to-time and there are fantastic photos from this past year’s Adriatic tide. And I’ve done a little bit of research through the power of Wikipedia for when I do travel there.
Figs.
In some lands figs are considered objects of worship. In others, no more than bat food. The oldest living plant, with a known planting date, is a Ficus tree (fig tree). It was planted in Sri Lanka by King Tissa in 288 BC. Side note: An upcoming fifth season episode of No Reservations will be in Sri Lanka, though I doubt this fig tree will be mentioned. Bummer.
According to The Worlds Healthiest Foods a fig’s unique taste are "lusciously sweet with a texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds". Oh, and they are also a very healthy food.
I have never had a fig. I’ve always wanted to but for the life of me I can not remember ever having one. Jotting it down on my to do list now.
So that is why I’m excited for tonight’s episode of No Reservations from Venice, Italy. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the unique geographic traits of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as well as learning more about the unique tastes of figs.
[viddler id-81ec1e3a h-447 w-540]