Posts Tagged ‘Il Bel Cristallo’

The campanile soars above the Plaza del Teatro at the beautiful Italy pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase.  Drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of Venice, the complex is a symphony of sculpture, from the Lion of St. Mark to the Neptune fountain.

Columns and arches draw the eye down graceful walkways and along the buildings’ façades, frosted with intricate detail.

There are Italian treasures to be found in the shops, which include the lovely Il Bel Cristallo offering a colorful array of jewelry, leather goods, and decorative accessories.

Formal plantings surround the courtyard and vines climb towards the sun.  Citrus and olive trees soften the stone; flowers froth from containers.

Visitors can dine beneath the coffered ceilings of Tutto Italia enjoying Italian cuisine in a restaurant filled with old world charm.  Outside, Sergio the Juggler and the World Showcase Players entertain passersby.

Just across the way, a graceful bridge leads to a terrace overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon, where gondolas bob amid colorful poles.

Tucked between the pavilions of Germany and the U.S., Italy is a favored locale for a Disney wedding.  Stroll around and admire the statuary, sit in the warm sunshine enjoying the flowers and this small glimpse of the glories of Venice.