The gondoliers

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Later in the day, after much exploring, see Tony & Maria coming along Viala del San Giglio. We give them the tix, so they too can do a cruise of the grand canal by water taxi. A great way to see Venice life...

Towards dusk we enlist Luciano to give us the guided tour in his gondola around the waterways, while sipping champagne - it IS Jo's birthday, after all. Luciano, may be Italian, but he doesn't sing. But he sure can gondole, tho!

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Photos

The Grand Canal
Nearing the Rialto Bridge

Clock tower in San Marco Square
the story goes that the father and son who were commissioned to design this were blinded afterwards so they couldn't repeat the job for anyone else - this was before the days of patent attorneys

San Marco Square
a great place to spend the evening

Tide comes in
San Marco square - each night as the tide rises, the square floods around the feet of the outdoor diners. Musicians play on, walkers find alternate ways to get home.

San Marco
Late in the evening, with Tony and Maria, winding our way home through the streets and canals