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Published: December 29th 2006
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Venice, Italy
One of the larger canals in the City. I'll let the pictures do a lot of the talking for my day in Venice because I'm going to be posting a lot of them. It's hard to take a bad picture in this City. It's so incredibly unique and just absolutely amazing! I so hope I can come back someday.
We had an early morning but I was ready to go! Loaded up on the bus for the short ride to Venice. Our tour director explained that Venice is actually made up of 117 different islands and connected by the bridges we so often see. Is located on a lagoon (25 miles long by 9 miles wide) and was established in the early centuries. The water isn't as clear here as in Switzerland and pleasantly surprised that after hearing all about lagoons that there was no smell. The Airport is named after Marco Polo (who was a favorite son) and also introduced pasta from China to Italy.
Crossed a long bridge to enter the pier area where we then boarded a water taxi near where the cruise ships are docked. Took the most scenic and famous entry into Venice that you see in every movie to where the
Campanile
I was able to go the top and take some amazing photos of the red roofed city. docks are located near St. Mark's Square. We then set foot on Venice! Our director gave us a short walking tour along the lagoon leading to St. Mark's Square. We walked along and saw a leaning tower and the famous Bridge of Sighs. We then passed the Doge's Palace and then turned the corner and entered the Square. The first thing you can't help but notice is the 325 foot Campanile which towers over the Square. Then, after your eyes adjust to that, the colors of St. Mark's jump out at you. So much to see and take in. It was early Sunday morning and we were all frantically snapping photos at our Director's suggestion because there was hardly anyone there as compared to what it would be like later in the day.
We passed through the square and had a lesson on glass blowing/making at the Murano glass shop. Discovered that when 24 carat gold is put on glass it's virtually unbreakable! Would have loved to buy something but quite out of my price range. After that, our group split up and we went our separate ways to try to see what we each had on our list.
Venice Reflection
The best picture I took on my European vacation. I headed off back to the Square and was able to quickly get into the Doge's Palace. Incredible paintings and murals on every wall and ceiling. Hard to imagine how anyone would think they'd need all that space! Couldn't take pictures inside though. Did the self tour and as I made my way around I soon ended up in the Bridge of Sighs! It was named such because of prisoner's sighs as they were led across it from the jail to their certain death. Very small windows to look out and very crammed. I couldn't imagine the people being led across it to their deaths. Crossed over to the jail and saw the small cells and then worked my way back out to the Square.
It was now time for lunch so got off the main square and had a wonderful tortellini in white sauce with almonds in a small restaurant. Delicious. Stopped at a mask shop and bought a couple beautiful masks as souveniers. By the time I got back to the square to get into line for St. Mark's the water had risen into the Square. We had been warned by our Director that Venice is sinking
View from the Campanile
Looking out at one of the many islands. but I didn't take her seriously. The small walkways set up for the water rising were extremely packed and since I had sandals on, I just waded through it. I wouldn't recommend that but I didn't have the time today to wait. Luckily, sandals dry fast. The water was well over my ankles in many places and went into St. Mark's as well.
Luckily, the St. Mark's line moved very fast but unluckily for me, mass was being held, so really couldn't look around inside too much. Very subdued inside. The blue, gray and purple colors in the marble and on the walls was amazing and not over the top like you so often see in Catholic cathedrals. Since I couldn't take pictures inside, I bought a book in the gift shop to remember it by. Went up to the balcony and got some nice shots of the square including showing how much the water had risen. Wow! I never would have thought that. One could see it bubbling up out of the holes that had been placed to help relieve pressure. All but a strip in the middle was covered.
Decided it was time to get out
It's leaning!
Venice's version of the leaning tower. of the Square and its water and with my handy map I slowly started making my way over to Giovanni E. Paolo. An older church on the opposite side of the main islands. Lots of picture stops all along the way. Made it to Giovanni and decided it was time for a snack and sat down in the small square near it to have gellato and a cappuccino. My feet were enjoying the break. Have already put a lot of miles on today and still more to see before I have to meet up with my group.
Went and toured Giovanni and it was beautiful as well. Extremely tall ceilings with lots of exposed brick. So different from St. Mark's in style. Wasn't overdone and had many of the famous of Venice entombed in it. When I came out of the church I had a good time watching either a commercial or moving being shot in front. Pretty cool.
As I started making my way to the Rialto, I thought to myself that it is going to be extremely difficult for any of the cities left on my tour to top Venice. I love the look of the
Bridge of Sighs
During the tour of the Doge's Palace, I was able to cross through it. city, all the churches, the water, its history, everything. Vehicles are not allowed in the city, not even bikes or scooters let alone vehicles. Everyone gets around by water taxi, boat or by walking. Finally found the Rialto after a few wrong terms. Had to get your directions straight because you can't see skyline well when you get into the interior and the small alleys so have no markers to go by. Finally found the Rialto Bridge and it was very, very busy. Didn't spend much time on it, just snapped a couple quick pictures from it of the Grand Canal. Went walking alone the canal below the bridge and had to buy a couple of the local artist canvases to remember Venice by. Got so caught up in my canvases that I completely forgot to take a photo of the Rialto!
Since I didn't have a lot of time left at this point, I started to slowly make my way back to St. Mark's stopping in several shops along the way and spending too much money. But hey, when will I be back again? Wanted to still see the Archaelogical Museum located in St. Mark's Square if I
Gondola Stops
Another pretty picture-so hard to take a bad one. had time. Made it to the Museum and enjoyed viewing all its history. Had several sculptures and paintings as well as artifacts. All kinds of art. Didn't have much time left when I finished and since the water had receded, decided to enjoy my last minutes in Venice by having a cappuccino and enjoying the music. I definitely paid for the ambience, though. My cappuccino that I had over by Giovanni cost me 2.30 euro while the one in St. Mark's cost me 7.80 euro! Buy hey, I can now say I sipped a cappuccino in St. Mark's Square while listening to orchestra music! What a wonderful day. Still can't believe I'm here.
Then, it was time to meet back up with my group and head back to our hotel for dinner. We have anothe early morning tomorrow as we make our way to Vienna! Can't see how Vienna is going to beat this but we'll have to see...
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