Not much today

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Not much to say today - we visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Unfortunately even with an interest in art, I didn't enjoy this any more than John. It was 24Euros to enter, and even though we got to see Picasso's, Dali's, Mondrian's among many more, we just don't 'get' that style of work, and I was more excited by the toothpaste tube lid that I found for the kids!

We did enjoy a gondola ride though across the grand canal and through the smaller canals.

We haven't enjoyed Venice as much as we expected this trip, but I think mostly due to the thousands of tourists and unseasonable heat. It is very hot, although once you can find a shady street the stone is cool. I don't know who locals live in an area with this amount of tourists all of the time. I think Dec Jan is there only quieter times here in Venice. Some streets and areas are just like cattle being herded down the street. Whenever you come across a tour group, I say - here is another bus!. The guide walks along ahead with a pole and something colourful on top for all to follow, and they herd along behind.

We have enjoyed the art in the streets. There are many artist run stands all over the main areas of town, and 3 galleries on every corner, so we have looked in more art galleries in 3 days than in my whole life. The artists on the streets are cheap - 30Euro upwards to about 150 Euro for large works. Many though are obviously painting the same scenes over and over so they would whip them up. We tried to talk one down to 110 today for a large canvas, as that was all the cash we had on us, but he wouldn't budge from 120! We will pass another 20 tomorrow on the way to the train, so might find a little one I like then.

Tomorrow we head to Parma for one night on our journey to Cinque Terre - can't wait to get there. We have several boat tours booked, and the scenery will be magnificent.

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Photos

Piazza San Marco
St Mark's Square is so large it is hard in photos to give perspective to its size

Gondolars at sunset
Packing up for the night on the Grand Canal

Lit up
The lights just popped on as we were leaving the piazza

Gondolar ride
Gondoliers have to duck to get under some bridges

How will we get through?
Can you see the tiny gap between the boats? Someone has to back up!

Squid ink pasta
John tried the pasta with black sauce and had the funniest black lips and teeth. Can't say he enjoyed it!

Jewellery
as per last blog I have been fascinated by these brooches.

bees
now if I had a million dollars would I wear bees? There were many whimsical pieces in these jewellery stores with precious gems

Louis Vuitton handbags
have legs!