I got up nice and early, and headed to the little ferry taxi thing to get to Saint Marcos square for my tour of Doges Palace. Interesting place St Marcos square – massive, with so many shops around it, and hidden in the back of it are Versace, Chanel, etc .... however, there are many cafes located all around the square – and the guide pointed out one called Cafe Florian (been here since 1720!!). Apparently where Casanova used to meet his lady friends.
Entered into the Doges Palace – and the square is the only place you can take pictures. You have to leave all backpacks or large bas in a locked luggage box, plus your camera. There are guards everywhere watching to see if you take any pictures. So, of course I did not, but OMG, no picture could do justice to the place. What an awesome awesome sight it was. Guilded everything, with paintings on canvas on the walls and ceilings. Absolutely magnificent. I know I was standing with my mouth open, gawking, gaping at it all. I would go back in there tomorrow. I will try and find a book on it as well. It was really interesting historically too.
Venice is a really interesting place historically too. Never had anyone try and overthrow the government of the day – the one guy (Doge) who tried was beheaded, and buried with his head between his knees! Hmmmmmmmmm, there is incentive NOT to try that again.
After my tour, I had a few hours to waste between tours, so I headed to Cafe Florian. Yes, it is expensive, but what a lovely place to sit and watch people go by. They have a band with a violinist, pianist, accordion – which you get charged 6 Euro to enjoy – but so work it. They play waltzes and requests. Stunning.
My next tour was Murano, Burano and Torcello – so Glass, lace and church. You can only get there by boat – and all up, the trip is 3 :30 hours. Saw some glass blowing – which I remember seeing in Australia when I was little. It used to be all the rage – anyone remember the glass figurines you could buy everywhere? I bought myself some Murano Pandora beads for my Pandora – I know you can buys the beads in Australia, but certainly not the many varieties you could get IN Murano.
The handmade lace was fantastic. There was a woman giving a demonstration. She must have been about 80 years old – really, and could still thread the eye of the minute needle she has to use to do this intricate work. I had my FIRST Gelato here – now I know Melisa is falling over herself with shock, but I was never a big fan of the Aussie version of Gelato, but the stuff here is magnificent. I might have to have a Gelato everyday from now on. However, I was told by gelato “afficiandos” that I must not have Gelato from the franchise stores, but from the little places that make it themselves. OK, I will do that!
La Gondola ride was amazing – I HAD to do it, and was in the Gondola with an Amercian woman, her Mum and kids. Was great as they take you through all the little canals, and there is one Gondola that has the singer and Accordian player in it, and you get serenaded as you go around the canals. Fabulous!
There is a hotel here in Venice called the Pritti Palace – when or if I come back here, I think I want to stay there. It looks stunning! I caught a water taxi from there back to my hotel – just because I wanted to! John has already been here, so not sure if I would come back unless to do a stopover on my way to somewhere else. It was stunning, and I am so glad I came. Dream 2 fulfilled! (Dream 1 was the Colloseum)
I have bought a few bits and pieces in Venice and surrounds, but of course, I only brought my teeny tiny case with me. Which means I cannot fit everything in it – so I bought myself the latest greatest fashion coloured hardcase – LILAC. I LOVE the colour. Did I mention Lilac is the biggest colour here? I MUST buy something clothes wise in that colour, as I do love it. I do like my Lilac case, and it is officially the PRESENT case – or the gifts for others and for me case.
Off to Verona and Lake Como tomorrow.
C U Then
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