The Thief Lord Part 26

"I will, I will," Scipio said absentmindedly -- as if his thoughts were elsewhere all of a sudden. He stopped abruptly. "Victor!" he said. "I think I've just had another brilliant idea."

"Oh dear," Victor muttered. He stepped wearily toward his front door. "You can tell me about it tomorrow, OK? Why don't you come to Ida's for breakfast? I'll be there, I'm there nearly every day now."

"No, no!" Scipio shook his head vigorously. "I'll tell you right now."

The young man took a deep breath, and for a moment he looked just like the boy he had been, not so long ago. "Listen. You're not really that young anymore ..."

"What do you mean?" Victor spun around indignantly. "If you're saying that I'm not a child in a grown-up body, then you're darn right ..."

"No, don't be silly!" Scipio interrupted impatiently. "But you've been doing detective work for years now. Don't your feet sometimes ache after you've followed someone for hours? Just think how difficult it was to keep up with us ..."

Victor gave him a suspicious look. "I'd rather not," he growled. He was already unlocking the door.

"OK, OK. Fine!" Scipio pushed past him. "But just imagine this. ..." He skipped so nimbly up the stairs that he had Victor completely out of breath just trying to follow him. "Imagine having someone who would do all the running around, the shadowing at night, and everything else that makes your feet ache. Someone..." Scipio stopped in front of Victor's door and spread out his arms triumphantly "... someone like me!"

"What?" Victor, panting heavily, stood in front of him. "What do you mean? You want to work for me?"

"Of course! Isn't that a wonderful idea?" Scipio pointed at Victor's sign, which looked like it needed a good clean. "It could still say Getz at the top and my name would go underneath ..."

Victor was just about to answer when the door opposite opened and his aged neighbor, Signora Grimani, popped her head around the door.

"Signor Getz," she whispered with a curious sideways glance toward Scipio. "I'm so glad I caught you. Would you be so good as to get me a loaf of bread when you're going to the baker's tomorrow? Climbing these stairs is becoming such a burden for me, especially on damp days like these."

"Of course, Signora Grimani," Victor answered, rubbing his nameplate with his sleeve. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No, no!" Signora Grimani shook her head. She eyed Scipio furtively, as if he was someone whose name she couldn't recall.

"Dottor Ma.s.simo!" she called out suddenly, clinging onto the doork.n.o.b. "I saw your picture in the newspaper. And you were on television too. I am really sorry about your son. Has he been found yet?"

"Unfortunately not, Signora," Scipio answered with a grave face. "That is why I am here. Signor Getz has offered to help me with the search."

"Oh, that is good. Benissimo! Benissimo! Signor Getz is the most wonderful detective in the whole city! You'll see." Signora Grimani beamed at Victor as if he had just grown a pair of brilliantly white angel's wings. Signor Getz is the most wonderful detective in the whole city! You'll see." Signora Grimani beamed at Victor as if he had just grown a pair of brilliantly white angel's wings.

Victor muttered, "Buonanotte! "Buonanotte! Good night, Signora Grimani!" and pulled Scipio into his apartment before he could start any more rumors. Good night, Signora Grimani!" and pulled Scipio into his apartment before he could start any more rumors.

"Great!" he grumbled while struggling out of his coat. "Soon the whole of Venice will know that Victor Getz is looking for Dottor Ma.s.simo's son. What were you thinking?"

"It was a sort of intuition." Scipio hung his hat on Victor's coat rack and looked around. "It's quite cramped," he observed.

"Well, not everyone has their own fountain or ceilings as high as those in the Doge's Palace," Victor grunted back. "It's good enough for me and my tortoises."

"Your tortoises, of course!" Scipio wandered into Victor's office and sat down on one of the visitor's chairs. Victor went into the kitchen to fetch some lettuce for his pets.

"Weren't you surprised when I appeared so suddenly in front of Barbarossa's shop?" Scipio called after him. "You walked past me on the Accademia Bridge. Only you were so lost in your own thoughts that you didn't see me. So I decided to shadow you, just for the fun of it. Admit it, you didn't notice a thing. That proves what a first-rate detective I would be."

"It proves nothing," Victor grumbled as he squatted down next to the tortoises' box. "It only proves that you seem to think the job of a detective is jam-packed with all sorts of excitement. The truth is, it's mostly boring."

Victor flung the lettuce at his tortoises and stood up. "And anyway, I can't pay you much."

"Doesn't matter. I don't need much."

"You'll soon get bored."

"We'll see."

With a sigh Victor dropped into his desk chair. "I'm not having your name on the sign."

Scipio shrugged. "I'll need a new name anyway. You don't really think I'm going to run around Venice as Scipio Ma.s.simo?"

"Fine. Here's one last condition." Victor fished a mint out of his desk drawer and popped it into his mouth. "You will tell your father."

Scipio's face darkened. "What am I going to write to him?"

Victor shrugged. "That you're all right. That you're going to go traveling. That you'll look in on them in ten years or so. You'll think of something."

"Darn!" Scipio spluttered. "OK, I'll do it. If you teach me how to be a detective."

Sighing, Victor folded his hands behind his head. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather take over Barbarossa's shop?" he asked hopefully. "Ida and I are looking for someone. You would get half of the earnings. The other half you would have to send to Barbarossa in his new home. That's what we agreed."

Scipio wrinkled his nose at the prospect.

"What? Stand around in a shop all day and sell Barbarossa's junk? No, thanks! I like my idea much better. I'm going to be a detective, a famous detective, and you're going to help me become one."

What could Victor say? "Fine. Then you'll start tomorrow morning, while I'm off having breakfast with Ida."

53 And Then...

Half a year later, Victor did put Scipio's name on his door, although he put it in slightly smaller letters.

n.o.body, not even Prosper, ever asked Scipio whether he regretted having gone on the merry-go-round. However, maybe the new name he had given himself, the one he put on Victor's door, already gave the answer: Scipio Fortunato, the fortunate one.

Just as he had promised Victor, Scipio wrote a postcard to his father. Signor Ma.s.simo never suspected that his son was living only a few alleys away from him in a flat that was hardly bigger than his own study, and where Scipio was happier than he had ever been in the Casa Ma.s.simo. Sometimes he visited Riccio and Mosca in their new hideout. He usually gave them some money, although they seemed to be coping quite well by themselves. They wouldn't tell Scipio how much was left of the counterfeit cash since, as Riccio put it, "You're a detective now, after all." Mosca had found work with a fisherman on the lagoon. Riccio, however -- well, Scipio suspected that he had gone back to pickpocketing.

Scipio saw Hornet, Prosper, and Bo more often. He and Victor visited Ida at least twice a week.

One night, as autumn approached again, Scipio and Prosper decided to go back to the Isola Segreta. Ida lent them her boat and this time Scipio found his way immediately. The island looked unchanged. The angels were still standing watch up on the wall. But this time there was no boat at the jetty and no dogs barked as Prosper and Scipio vaulted over the gate. They called out in vain for Renzo and Morosina in the stables and in the old house. Even the pigeons seemed to have disappeared. When the two had finally fought their way through the labyrinth of brambles and reached the clearing beyond, they found nothing but a small stone lion, almost hidden beneath the fallen autumn leaves.

Prosper and Scipio never found out whether Renzo and his sister disappeared the same night the merry-go-round was ruined. During the following years they would keep asking themselves if perhaps Renzo did find a way to repair the merry-go-round and if, somewhere, they were doing their rounds again: the lion, the merman, the mermaid, the sea horse, and the unicorn.

Anything else? Ah, yes -- Barbarossa...

Esther carried on believing for quite a while that he was the most wonderful child she had ever met -- until she caught him stuffing her most precious earrings into his pants pockets and then discovered in his room an entire collection of valuable items that had mysteriously disappeared. Tearfully Esther sent him off to an expensive boarding school where Ernes...o...b..came the terror of his teachers and fellow pupils. Dreadful things were said about him: that he forced other children to do his homework and to clean his shoes, that he even encouraged them to steal things, and that he had given himself a name that everyone had to call him.

It was "The Thief Lord."

Glossary

ITALIAN WORDS USED IN THE THIEF LORD THE THIEF LORD Accademia, Galleria dell' Accademia, Galleria dell' Academy of Fine Arts (biggest gallery and museum in Venice) Academy of Fine Arts (biggest gallery and museum in Venice)angelo angel angelarrivederci good-bye good-byeavanti let's go; forward let's go; forwardbasilica chapel chapelBasilica St. Marco private chapel of the Doges until 1807 when it became St. Marks Cathedral private chapel of the Doges until 1807 when it became St. Marks Cathedralbasta enough; that will do enough; that will dobenissimo excellent; very good excellent; very goodbricocola/briccole wooden post that marks shallow areas in the lagoon to prevent crafts from running aground wooden post that marks shallow areas in the lagoon to prevent crafts from running agroundbuonanotte good night good nightbuonasera good evening good eveningbuongiorno good morning; good afternoon (a greeting) good morning; good afternoon (a greeting) buonritorno have a good return trip have a good return trip caffe coffee coffeecalle alley; street alley; streetcampo open square open squareCampo Santa Margherita St. Margaret's Square St. Margaret's Squarecara my dear my dearCarabiniere/ Carabinieri policeman/police policeman/policecasa house housechiuso closed closedDoge chief magistrate chief magistratedottore doctor doctorfondamenta paved walkway beside a ca.n.a.l paved walkway beside a ca.n.a.lgondola famous flat-bottomed taxi boats of Venice famous flat-bottomed taxi boats of Venicegondolieri driver of a gondola driver of a gondolagrazie thank you thank youisola island islandlira Italian monetary unit Italian monetary unitpalazzo palace or large building palace or large buildingPalazzo Ducale Palace of the Doges Palace of the Dogespasticceria pastry shop pastry shop pazienza patience patience piazza square squarePiazza San Marco St. Marks Square St. Marks Squareponte bridge bridgep.r.o.nto ready; h.e.l.lo (only when answering the telephone) ready; h.e.l.lo (only when answering the telephone)Rialto market district by the Grand Ca.n.a.l in Venice market district by the Grand Ca.n.a.l in Venicesacca bag bagsalotto sitting room; reception room sitting room; reception roomsalve hi; h.e.l.lo hi; h.e.l.loscusi excuse me excuse mesiyes signora/signore Mrs.; Madam/Mr.; Sir Mrs.; Madam/Mr.; Sir va bene all right; fine; okay all right; fine; okayvaporett/vaporetti waterbus/waterbusses waterbus/waterbusses vietato Vingresso no entry; no admission no entry; no admission

Clara's Letter: The Story Behind The Thief Lord The Thief Lord

As you may know, Cornelia Funke originally wrote As you may know, Cornelia Funke originally wrote The Thief Lord The Thief Lord in German. t.i.tled in German. t.i.tled Herr der Deibe Herr der Deibe (literally, (literally, The Lord of Thieves), The Lord of Thieves), the book was an enormous success in Funke's native Germany. But with the help of a plucky young reader named Clara, the novel made its way to the sh.o.r.es of England . . . and, after that, America! So it's thanks to this Clara that you now hold a copy of the book was an enormous success in Funke's native Germany. But with the help of a plucky young reader named Clara, the novel made its way to the sh.o.r.es of England . . . and, after that, America! So it's thanks to this Clara that you now hold a copy of The Thief Lord The Thief Lord in your hands. in your hands.From Barry Cunningham, the Publisher of The Chicken House -- the British company that published The Thief Lord -- The Thief Lord -- here is the magical story of Clara's unforgettable letter: here is the magical story of Clara's unforgettable letter: Back in 2001, I received a wonderful letter from a bilingual young book lover living in England. The letter was addressed to "The Editor who published Harry Potter." Harry Potter." In it, eleven-year-old Clara Baganel George wrote that she wanted to know why her favorite German children's author wasn't published in English. Clara had just finished reading Cornelia Funke's In it, eleven-year-old Clara Baganel George wrote that she wanted to know why her favorite German children's author wasn't published in English. Clara had just finished reading Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord The Thief Lord with her German mother. In her letter, Clara recounted the story in vivid detail and wrote an intriguing list of the novel's best "ingredients" for a very special and delicious book! with her German mother. In her letter, Clara recounted the story in vivid detail and wrote an intriguing list of the novel's best "ingredients" for a very special and delicious book!

* Two orphaned brothers Two orphaned brothers* A gang of runaway children A gang of runaway children* A mysterious robbery A mysterious robbery* A greedy junk shop owner A greedy junk shop owner* A kind detective A kind detective* A big secret about the Thief Lord A big secret about the Thief Lord* A brave and warm-hearted lady A brave and warm-hearted lady* A lost and magical carousel A lost and magical carousel Who could resist? I tracked down the novel. Cornelia Funke, it turned out, was already one of Germany's best-selling children's book authors. Her book, filled with fantastically rich detail and gripping storytelling, can only be called a cla.s.sic. We made our offer and the rest is history -- the critics shared Clara's enthusiasm and the book has now sold more than half a million copies worldwide . . . and the movie is in the making. "We have also gone on to publish more great novels by Cornelia Funke, the astounding Who could resist? I tracked down the novel. Cornelia Funke, it turned out, was already one of Germany's best-selling children's book authors. Her book, filled with fantastically rich detail and gripping storytelling, can only be called a cla.s.sic. We made our offer and the rest is history -- the critics shared Clara's enthusiasm and the book has now sold more than half a million copies worldwide . . . and the movie is in the making. "We have also gone on to publish more great novels by Cornelia Funke, the astounding Inkheart Inkheart and and The New York Times The New York Times number one bestseller number one bestseller Dragon Rider. Dragon Rider.Clara and Cornelia are now firm friends, and Cornelia actually asks for Clara's opinion on all her new work! So remember . . . next time you send a letter, you might just change your destiny!Thank you, Clara, for sharing Cornelia Funke with all of us!

Barry Cunningham, Publisher, The Chicken House

Q&A with Cornelia Funke

[image] Cornelia Funke has become one of today's most beloved writers of magical stories for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and children. The following is an interview with the bestselling author: Cornelia Funke has become one of today's most beloved writers of magical stories for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and children. The following is an interview with the bestselling author: Q: Where did the idea for Where did the idea for The Thief Lord The Thief Lord come from? come from?

A: I first had the idea for The Thief Lord The Thief Lord when I was -- where else? -- in Venice! While I was there, I remembered how, as a child, I always wanted to be an adult. So I decided to write a story about a boy who so strongly longs to be a grown-up that he pretends to be one . . . and makes others believe he is! And Venice, of course, helped me to tell the story. In fact, I think of the city as a main character in the book. when I was -- where else? -- in Venice! While I was there, I remembered how, as a child, I always wanted to be an adult. So I decided to write a story about a boy who so strongly longs to be a grown-up that he pretends to be one . . . and makes others believe he is! And Venice, of course, helped me to tell the story. In fact, I think of the city as a main character in the book.

There are other sources for how the story came to be. When I worked as a social worker, I encountered many different children. I never forgot the tenderness and devotion siblings showed one another, when parents often failed to play that protective role. And the children's courage with which they faced their sometimes tough family life left a real impression on me (but I also learned from these children that being brave doesn't always necessarily mean you get a happy ending). Q: Q: Why did you choose to set the novel in Venice ? Why did you choose to set the novel in Venice ? A: You can't physically visit Hogwarts, or Neverland or Middleearth. But you can certainly travel to Venice. I wanted to show my readers that there is a magical place in their world that they can actually visit. A: You can't physically visit Hogwarts, or Neverland or Middleearth. But you can certainly travel to Venice. I wanted to show my readers that there is a magical place in their world that they can actually visit. Q: Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the characters ? Did you Where did you get the inspiration for the characters ? Did youmodel Prosper and Bo on anyone you know?A: Well, Bo is almost an exact copy of my son, Ben, when hewas five years old. And, yes, I met boys very much like Prosperwhen I worked as a social worker -- boys who take on the roleof the father, when the real father is either absent orneglectful.

Q: Who is your favorite character in the novel? Who is your favorite character in the novel?

A: Scipio is certainly the most dashing character. But, as a girl reading this book, I think I would have fallen in love with Prosper. And the other favorite character of mine is Victor.

Q: Q: Did you put yourself in the story as a character in any way? Did you put yourself in the story as a character in any way?A: Not really. I am maybe a little bit like Ida, but I would never have dared to go to the Isola Segreta Isola Segreta at night! at night! Q: Q: Do you have tortoises at home? Do you have tortoises at home?A: Sadly, I do not. My dog would either mistake them forbones to chew on or a toy to bite into! Q: Q: Do you ever wish you could turn back time and be a child again? Do you ever wish you could turn back time and be a child again?A: I don't. As a child, I always wanted to be an adult and now I finally am! Being an adult is very freeing: I can realize my dreams, I don't have to go to school (though I admit that I enjoyed school). I can move to any place I like, I can stay up late if I wish, watch any movie, have my own family, children, a husband. . . . No, I wouldn't ride the merry-go-round. Q: Q: Why a magical carousel ? Why a magical carousel ?A: By chance, before writing the book, I came across a photo of a very old merry-go-round in a wild Italian garden. That photo gave me the inspiration for the magic carousel in the book. Q: The Thief Lord Q: The Thief Lord was translated from German to English. How was translated from German to English. Howdid it feel to read the book in English?A: "Wonderful. Enchanting. I read the English aloud to myself.

Q: How do you feel about How do you feel about The Thief Lord The Thief Lord being made into a film? being made into a film?

A: I am excited about it. I have high hopes for it. But even if it doesn't quite live up to the book . . . there will still always be the original book for readers to return to.

Q: Q: Did you enjoy being on the set of the movie ? Did you enjoy being on the set of the movie ? A: I loved being there and seeing the characters come to life. It was such a special thrill to walk across the Piazza San Marco with the actors portraying Prosper, Bo, Hornet, Riccio, Mosca, and Scipio. Another very special moment was when I watched the actor playing Victor feed the pigeons to trap Bo. A: I loved being there and seeing the characters come to life. It was such a special thrill to walk across the Piazza San Marco with the actors portraying Prosper, Bo, Hornet, Riccio, Mosca, and Scipio. Another very special moment was when I watched the actor playing Victor feed the pigeons to trap Bo. Q: Q: What do you wish for the children in What do you wish for the children in The Thief Lord The Thief Lord in the in the future?

A: I wish that they would all grow up unharmed in body andsoul and heart. I wish them friends, love, the feeling ofbelonging, and protection when they feel sad or weak . . . butI know it will be hard, especially for Riccio and Mosca.

Welcome to Venice! (Benvenuto a Venezia!) Ah, Venice! City of ca.n.a.ls, narrow alleyways, grand palaces, masks, and mysteries. And Venice is also, of course, the setting for Prosper and Bo's many thrilling adventures. Maybe Ah, Venice! City of ca.n.a.ls, narrow alleyways, grand palaces, masks, and mysteries. And Venice is also, of course, the setting for Prosper and Bo's many thrilling adventures. Maybe you'd you'd like to have a few adventures of your own in Venice someday. If so, this guide to Venice, Italy, packed with interesting tidbits and tips, is perfect for you -- whether you're planning a trip or just want to learn more about this fascinating city! like to have a few adventures of your own in Venice someday. If so, this guide to Venice, Italy, packed with interesting tidbits and tips, is perfect for you -- whether you're planning a trip or just want to learn more about this fascinating city!But first, let's find out if Venice is a place you'd enjoy visiting. ...

Quiz: Would You Enjoy a Trip to Venice?

Answer Answer True True or or False False to the questions below. to the questions below.1) I want to visit the places where I want to visit the places where The Thief Lord's The Thief Lord's adventures unfold. adventures unfold.2) It would be fun to take a boat ride down a ca.n.a.l. It would be fun to take a boat ride down a ca.n.a.l.3) I love eating pizza and pasta and would like to try the smooth, creamy ice cream known as I love eating pizza and pasta and would like to try the smooth, creamy ice cream known as gelato. gelato.4) I enjoy looking at beautiful buildings, sculptures, and paintings. I enjoy looking at beautiful buildings, sculptures, and paintings.5) I would like to learn to speak Italian. I would like to learn to speak Italian.

If you answered True True to three or more of these questions, then you would have a blast traveling to Venice! to three or more of these questions, then you would have a blast traveling to Venice!

If you answered False to three or more of these questions, maybe you just need to learn a little more about Venice -- chances are, there's something in this one-of-a-kind city that you'll love.

So How Did Today's Venice Come to Be?

Venice is really hundreds of small islands in a lagoon, connected by bridges. As a city built entirely on water, it has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars; everybody gets around on foot or crosses the waterways by a variety of boats. Venice originally grew out of small towns built on ancient mudflats of a lagoon. This explains the ca.n.a.ls that run throughout the city. Venice is really hundreds of small islands in a lagoon, connected by bridges. As a city built entirely on water, it has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars; everybody gets around on foot or crosses the waterways by a variety of boats. Venice originally grew out of small towns built on ancient mudflats of a lagoon. This explains the ca.n.a.ls that run throughout the city.Legend has it that Venice was founded in 421 AD, on April 25th. The twenty-fifth of April is St. Mark's Day, and St. Mark (in Italian, San Marco) San Marco) is the patron saint of Venice. The winged lion that represents Venice is also a symbol of St. is the patron saint of Venice. The winged lion that represents Venice is also a symbol of St.

Mark. lit In 736 AD, after centuries of being ruled by the ancientByzantine Empire, the Venetians officially elected their own leader -- the first Doge Doge (or Duke), named Orso Ipato. After that, Venice went on to establish itself as a powerful center for trade and commerce. During the Middle Ages, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo made his famous journey from Venice to the Far East, bringing back with him, among many other things, the Chinese recipe for noodles . . . that developed into Italian pasta! (or Duke), named Orso Ipato. After that, Venice went on to establish itself as a powerful center for trade and commerce. During the Middle Ages, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo made his famous journey from Venice to the Far East, bringing back with him, among many other things, the Chinese recipe for noodles . . . that developed into Italian pasta!Despite enduring two ravaging plagues -- one in 1848 and the other in 1630 -- Venice continued to thrive. In 1737, Napoleon conquered the Venetian Republic, and Venice became part of the Austrian Hapsburg Empire. In 1860, the republic won its independence from the Hapsburgs, and, in 1866, Venice became part of Italy. Fortunately, Venice's buildings and sculptures survived unharmed during "World War I (1914-18) and World War II (1939-45). In 1966, a huge flood caused serious damage, since the water rose higher than the floor level of many buildings. Some of Venice's ancient buildings are still in a bit of disrepair, but are as beautiful as ever.Venice has a varied and exciting history and will certainly continue to grow and change over time. As a very popular tourist spot, as well as a bustling urban center, the future looks bright for Venice.

The Top Five Things to Do and See in Venice There is so much to do in Venice, you could spend weeks there and never once be bored. It's nearly impossible to narrow down Venice's many exciting options to just five picks, but the activities listed below are good basics to start with. And remember that Venice is also a great city for walking: Exploring the winding alleyways, rummaging through mask shops, and stopping by the Campo San Polo -- the city's biggest square -- for some playtime are a few of the best ways to spend your time there!

I) Water, water everywhere I) Water, water everywhereWhat makes Venice one of the world's most unique cities is its 177 ca.n.a.ls. The largest ca.n.a.l is the majestic Grand Ca.n.a.l, Grand Ca.n.a.l, which runs from which runs from Piazzele Piazzele Roma to the Roma to the Piazza San Marco. Piazza San Marco. If you want to explore Venice by water, you've got tons of fun options. There are If you want to explore Venice by water, you've got tons of fun options. There are gondolas, gondolas, the flat-bottomed boats that are poled by the flat-bottomed boats that are poled by gondoliers. gondoliers. Gondola rides usually last about an hour and are most magical at night. Then there are Gondola rides usually last about an hour and are most magical at night. Then there are vaporettos, vaporettos, or water buses, that go up and down the Grand Ca.n.a.l regularly, as well as plentiful water taxis. Keep an eye out for colorful fire-boats, or water buses, that go up and down the Grand Ca.n.a.l regularly, as well as plentiful water taxis. Keep an eye out for colorful fire-boats, sanpiemtas, sanpiemtas, and and bragozzas. A bragozzas. A ride in any of these types of boats is sure be amazing! ride in any of these types of boats is sure be amazing! 3) Feed the birds 3) Feed the birds As you know from The Thief Lord, The Thief Lord, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) is the very heart of Venice. This bustling square is full of cafes, beautiful palaces, musicians playing, and, of course, lots of pigeons (remember Victor?). The pigeons in Piazza San Marco are practically famous; just buy a little bag of corn and start feeding the hungry cluckers. Soon you'll have made lots of feathery new friends! is the very heart of Venice. This bustling square is full of cafes, beautiful palaces, musicians playing, and, of course, lots of pigeons (remember Victor?). The pigeons in Piazza San Marco are practically famous; just buy a little bag of corn and start feeding the hungry cluckers. Soon you'll have made lots of feathery new friends!

3) Bells are ringing 3) Bells are ringingIn Piazza San Marco is the famous Basilica San Marco, Basilica San Marco, which is a huge, ornate, ancient church. Wandering through the amazing building is a great experience. Be sure to check out which is a huge, ornate, ancient church. Wandering through the amazing building is a great experience. Be sure to check outthe porch of the church to see replicas of the four life-size bronze horses, brought over in the i3th century. (The original bronze horses are in the museum in the basilica.) Near the basilica is the Tower of the Clock, Tower of the Clock, where two figures beat their hammers on a large bell to chime the hour. And you can even climb up into the tower to see how the clockworks! where two figures beat their hammers on a large bell to chime the hour. And you can even climb up into the tower to see how the clockworks! 4)Fit for a Doge 4)Fit for a Doge Also in Piazza San Marco is one of Venice's most spectacular palaces: The Doge's Palace. As noted above, doge doge means duke; this palace was the official home of the 130 doges who ruled Venice from 697 to 1797. The palace is filled with lots of different rooms for you to tour. One of the best -- if spookiest -- parts of the palace is its old prison. Be sure to make your way through the labyrinth of narrow pa.s.sageways, and read the graffiti scratched onto the walls by prisoners over the centuries. Then, pay a visit to the armory, which features a fascinating collection of weapons and suits of armor from all over the world! means duke; this palace was the official home of the 130 doges who ruled Venice from 697 to 1797. The palace is filled with lots of different rooms for you to tour. One of the best -- if spookiest -- parts of the palace is its old prison. Be sure to make your way through the labyrinth of narrow pa.s.sageways, and read the graffiti scratched onto the walls by prisoners over the centuries. Then, pay a visit to the armory, which features a fascinating collection of weapons and suits of armor from all over the world!

5) 5)Mangia!

That's "eat!" in Italian, and in Venice, there is plenty of eating to be done. There is, of course, delicious pizza to be had nearly everywhere, and pasta comes in all shapes and sizes -- some in the shape of masks or gondolas! -- and with a variety of sauces, from creamy to tomato. As would be expected of a city surrounded by water, fish and seafood are staples of Venice's cuisine. The city is packed full of restaurants and cafes, so have fun exploring -- your tummy will thank you!

And no trip to Venice would be complete without a taste -- or many -- of gelato. gelato. This rich, creamy ice cream is an Italian specialty, and you can enjoy an array of flavors, from chocolate to vanilla to hazelnut. This rich, creamy ice cream is an Italian specialty, and you can enjoy an array of flavors, from chocolate to vanilla to hazelnut. Gelatarias Gelatarias can be found everywhere, so be sure to stop by one for a delicious dessert. can be found everywhere, so be sure to stop by one for a delicious dessert.