The Evangelist Saint Mark is the patron saint of Venice and is also situated under the protection of the Virgin Mary and of her son, Jesus Christ.

Officially, Venice was founded in March 421, more precisely on March 25th, the day of the Annunciation of the birth of Christ. It is a city born in the sea, a Christian Venus born after the fall of Roman Empire caused by the barbaric hordes: his birth seems to promise a new epoch where pagan vision and Christian vision of the world would unite in harmony in one and the same free and sovereign person.

The Myth of Venice the Catholic

Such is the origin and uniqueness of the Myth of Venice the Catholic whom the Doge left to the open sea onboard the splendid Bucentaure to celebrate his wedding to the sea, by throwing a gold ring into the water on the day of Ascension, a symbolic nuptial to remember the dominance of Venice and the union of its links with his maritime empire.
Numerous pictures represent the Doge to knees in front of the Virgin and the child Jesus.
Many religious buildings and churches are richly endowed with pictures of the grand masters. Nunneries and scuole substantiate the importance of religious practice and presence and action of monastic orders in Venice.

Secular and spiritual: the Venetian Melting Pot

Rialto was the seat of trade and economy, Place saint Mark was the place where were placed side by side the devotion to the patron saint and Political Power.
It unites Basilica saint Mark, the Bell tower with its bells and the Ducal palace where they elect the Doge who domiciles there.
This neighborhood translates perfectly the nearness of Secular and the Spiritual in Venice. The Patriarch of Venice was not named by Vatican City, it was chosen by the Venetians, and religious holidays always formed an alliance with the pageantry of republican political power.
Venice defended fiercely its economic interests and its political independence in the course of its history.
Such policies, blended by devotion to Fatherland and by Catholic creed, also guarded against any flood of spiritual power or secular likely to threaten the Sovereignty of the Republic.
This original synthesis of firm beliefs, which defended and the separation of the political power from religious power, gave him force and courage to become heir apparent Sovereigns of the foreign States and in Vatican City.

Bora Bora island is possibly the single most famous island in all the world. The legends, mysteries, and romance associated with the words "Bora Bora" bring an almost mystical presence to the island.

Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes.Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature, and allows the traveler many opportunities to experience it in a variety of ways. Windsurf, jetski, scuba dive, snorkel, swim, bask in its warmth... the list goes on.Bora bora is truly an experience worth having. A wonderfully relaxing place to be as well as a great island for you to experience, your Bora Bora vacation will never be forgotten.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, Switzerland

Emerald Coast, Florida

Zanzibar, Tanzania

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Shoreline Highway, Marin County, California

Bandarban, Bangladesh

 

Sweden makes an ideal adventure-racing venue for many reasons, chief of which is its preponderance of summer daylight. For racers tackling Explore Sweden in July, that translates to nearly 24 hours of nonstop action that can stretch as long as 670 miles (1,078 kilometers) and take between four and seven days. Though Sweden's terrain is mellower than that of other locales, the race attracts a flock of strong international teams, who, in the last six years, have transformed it into something rare: a world-class competition open to anyone.
What levels the playing field is that racers never know what to expect. Each year, the race organizers get creative, coming up with a new route and a new set of activities. In 2010, racers traveled 520 miles (837 kilometers) from Norway's high peaks, down through Sweden's river valleys, and to the Baltic coast, trekking,mountaineering, kayaking, mountain biking, and rappelling along the way. Past races have taken participants canoeing, sailing, and what the Swedes call "coasteering," or traveling sections of dramatic coastline by any human-powered means, such as swimming, paddling, and climbing. The diversity ensures that those who complete all disciplines and limp across the finish line after days of nonstop movement will have some serious bragging rights.
Explore Sweden is open to any four-person team willing to pony up the $3,500 entry fee (www.exploresweden.se).

Adventure travel encourages you to stretch your mind or your body--and often both--while having a wonderful time. It doesn't matter whether you are hiking up a 14,000-foot-high mountain in Colorado, swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean or floating over an African veld in a hot air balloon. What counts is the new ways you are seeing the world, making friends in foreign places and how you are pursuing your own definition of adventure travel.

Adventure Photos: