May 20
Venezia! All my life I've wanted to come here and it does not disappoint!
We slept in late again. Boy oh boy, I will be so happy to return to my bed. Not crazy about these pieces of foam they call beds here. But this apartment has a nice shower and I'm happy about that. It also has a complete kitchen which we will not be using. Not a chance. :)
Venezia has an amazing and rich history through the centuries. The original people that lived here in the 11th and 12th centuries came to these marshes as a place of refuge. This is a floating city built on wood - amazing but true. The wood does not rot but due to protection from oxygen due to being under water and the minerals and salt in the water, the wood has petrified and is hard as stone. The city is a true maze and there are no cars, horses, bikes or scooters. Everyone is on foot. The streets are so narrow in places that you can touch the buildings on both sides.
Our first stop was the famous Piazza San Marco. This is the principal public square for Venezia and was built in the 1500's. We went through the basilica of San Marco and words fail. Truly austere and Catholic, it is way over the top and amazing detail and artistry is everywhere. Different colors of marble and set in different designs throughout. There are many beautiful statues all through the Piazza that have different meaning for Venezia. I loved the four horses on the front symbolizing freedom.
After the Piazza, we decided to head to Murano to check out the amazing glass manufacturing. Of course, as we walked, we explored, window shopping and checking out the amazing streets and buildings as we went. We had to take a water bus to get to the island and it started to really rain along the way. Fortunately, we had purchased a couple of cheap umbrellas in preparation for the forecast and we were sure glad to have them.
We made our way to a huge glass factory and watched a glass blowing demonstration. The maestro was completely amazing and designed a vase and a horse while we watched. Once again, David and I were the only ones there because it was the last one of the day....and we got a private show. Afterwards, we walked through six rooms of manufactured glass all made at the Factory there - which I cannot remember the name! Not surprising. Every color and design of every thing you could imagine was in these rooms. The prices were amazing as well. But we were both in awe of the artistry necessary to create the stunning glass.
After coming back to the island where our apartment is - we decided to do a gondola ride. I was a little ambivalent as I try to stay away from tourist traps as much as possible - but David encouraged me. It was really fun and an experience worth having! On our way home, we got lost in the streets many times, in spite of our google maps, but it all offered more opportunity to explore....good times. We finally ended up sitting on our bed where I am writing this.......so great being here and exploring everywhere. David and I are the ultimate travelers and we roll with the punches so well, in spite of the unavoidable stress that can occasionally occur when you travel....navigating the trains, buses and water taxis has offered challenges.
A great dinner later tonight and another day of exploring Venezia tomorrow and then we head back to Roma for the trip home.
Venezia! All my life I've wanted to come here and it does not disappoint!
We slept in late again. Boy oh boy, I will be so happy to return to my bed. Not crazy about these pieces of foam they call beds here. But this apartment has a nice shower and I'm happy about that. It also has a complete kitchen which we will not be using. Not a chance. :)
Venezia has an amazing and rich history through the centuries. The original people that lived here in the 11th and 12th centuries came to these marshes as a place of refuge. This is a floating city built on wood - amazing but true. The wood does not rot but due to protection from oxygen due to being under water and the minerals and salt in the water, the wood has petrified and is hard as stone. The city is a true maze and there are no cars, horses, bikes or scooters. Everyone is on foot. The streets are so narrow in places that you can touch the buildings on both sides.
Our first stop was the famous Piazza San Marco. This is the principal public square for Venezia and was built in the 1500's. We went through the basilica of San Marco and words fail. Truly austere and Catholic, it is way over the top and amazing detail and artistry is everywhere. Different colors of marble and set in different designs throughout. There are many beautiful statues all through the Piazza that have different meaning for Venezia. I loved the four horses on the front symbolizing freedom.
After the Piazza, we decided to head to Murano to check out the amazing glass manufacturing. Of course, as we walked, we explored, window shopping and checking out the amazing streets and buildings as we went. We had to take a water bus to get to the island and it started to really rain along the way. Fortunately, we had purchased a couple of cheap umbrellas in preparation for the forecast and we were sure glad to have them.
We made our way to a huge glass factory and watched a glass blowing demonstration. The maestro was completely amazing and designed a vase and a horse while we watched. Once again, David and I were the only ones there because it was the last one of the day....and we got a private show. Afterwards, we walked through six rooms of manufactured glass all made at the Factory there - which I cannot remember the name! Not surprising. Every color and design of every thing you could imagine was in these rooms. The prices were amazing as well. But we were both in awe of the artistry necessary to create the stunning glass.
After coming back to the island where our apartment is - we decided to do a gondola ride. I was a little ambivalent as I try to stay away from tourist traps as much as possible - but David encouraged me. It was really fun and an experience worth having! On our way home, we got lost in the streets many times, in spite of our google maps, but it all offered more opportunity to explore....good times. We finally ended up sitting on our bed where I am writing this.......so great being here and exploring everywhere. David and I are the ultimate travelers and we roll with the punches so well, in spite of the unavoidable stress that can occasionally occur when you travel....navigating the trains, buses and water taxis has offered challenges.
A great dinner later tonight and another day of exploring Venezia tomorrow and then we head back to Roma for the trip home.
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