Sunday we have plans that were somewhat divergent, we will all go visit the Murano Glass factory in the morning, but then Bob and Maribeth have booked a tour of the Doge Palace and Prison, just about when they get done with that, Fred and June depart for the island of Burano.
As I mentioned before our rooms are somewhat tight but very unique and interesting in the Hotel Bellini. I got a text from Bob in the morning that said look out your window...
Each room is different, each with a different view, Eamon's room is literally on the roof, his bath has a sloped roof so he can't take a standing shower, but what a view.
As we waited for the group to gather, I noticed this stunning boat, you see some pretty special boats in Venice, since they don't have cars, they shine their boats.
Around 8:30A we all boarded a boat to visit the island of Murano to tour the Murano Glass factory.
They gave a quick demonstration of glass blowing and the history of Murano Glass. Of course this was followed by somewhat of a sales pitch and then we were allowed to tour their 7 show rooms. We were not allowed to take pictures, you will have to take my word for it that many of the works were amazing.
After the glass factory, we boated back to San Marco Square. Some, including Bob and Maribeth took the tour of The Doge's palace and prison while others were free to roam. Bob did a separate post on their tour of The Doge's palace.
As you look around San Marco Square you will see "The Lion of Venice" on many sculptures and statues. The more you look the more of them you see, they are everywhere. The Lion of Saint Mark is a winged lion that symbolically represents Saint Mark the Evangelist, patron of Venice. It is a symbol used to give an immediate and unique sign of identity and power. It doesn’t have an official or political meaning, but only a popular and religious origin.
While the Malloys were on their Doge Palace tour, we decided to walk back to the hotel. This was no small feat, the roads and alleys in Venice are like a mouse maze, you can easily get lost again and again..but we made it. We returned to San Marco square and met up with the Malloys for Cappuccino and a snack before our Burano trip, which left at 2PM.
Even though you are just walking you can't help but be taking in by the sights, like the Doge Palace.
Venice is built on the water, during high tide sometimes the water comes up thru the drains and they have raised platforms for people to walk on so they don't get their feet wet. This is water coming up from the drain in the square in front of the Doge Place.
During our walk we saw many fancy Gondolas.
We got pretty familiar with the Rialto bridge, it has shops on the bridge and if you are going to get pick pocketed, this likely where it will happen, it is crowed but beautiful.
After our daily cappuccino, we boarded for the one hour boat ride to Burano Island.
As you approach Burano you can see they also have a leaning tower.
After arriving at Burano Island Frabrizio took us straight to a restaurant for a nice late lunch. It was mostly seafood, and I think the seafood lovers thought it was pretty good.
June found a canopy that made her smile.
Burano's traditional industry is fishing and used to be its biggest business. As a result, there were lots of fishing boats sailing in and out of its harbor on fishing expeditions.
Legend has it that the population began painting their homes luminous colors so that the fishermen could see them even in thick fog and avoid crashing into the shore after a voyage at sea.
They say it is not going to lean anymore....I wonder?
They say you have to find your color on Burano, it is fun to try to find a house that you can hide in front of.
Eamon is hard to catch on camera, notice how he is part of the back ground.
Burano is known for Lace, this is Emma the oldest Lace maker on the island, she is 103 years young and a celebrity.
We were even blessed with a nice sunset on Burano, it was a great time visiting the island.
After getting back from Burano, we were too full for dinner so we decided to walk Venice some more and find some Gelatto. In addition to Gelatto, they make some really good chocolate.
The night scenes in Venice are just spectacular, this is from Rialto bridge looking out at the Grand Canal.
Bob and Maribeth had a nice dinner at a restaurant that looked out over the Grand Canal.
Like the Jaquishes, the Malloys are celebrating 40 years of marriage on this trip.
Congratulazioni Bob e Maribeth!!
The streets, alleys, bridges and canals are endless. You could get lost here but we didn't. :)
ReplyDeleteSo very quaint and picturesque.