* Pictures noted are bottom to top - We disembarked, found our luggage, and proceeded to a long line to buy tickets for the water bus to San Mark Square. Waited on another line to board the water bus (picture 1) that brought us to the heart of Venice where the crowds of people and vendors were overwhelming.
Next challenge was finding our hotel which wasn't so easy given the winding streets and vague street map offered by the Tourism Information Office where our route appeared to indicate straight lines, when in reality they were squiggles. After a few wrong turns and climbs up and down a few extra canals we finally found our hotel in a quiet corner. Since our room wasn't ready We gratefully left our luggage and ventured out for a walk through the incredibly crowded and narrow market streets in the Rialto Bridge (picture 2), San Mark Square (picture 3), Grand Canal (picture 4) and canals to watch the gondolas managing all the water traffic (pictures 5, 6), etc.
During the next 3 days no matter how familiar we got with the streets we would still end up getting lost. This wasn't always such a bad thing (except during the hottest time of the day) as we wandered a lot trying to find the 'real' Venice - where the locals lived - so we could feel the real pulse of the city without the tourist scene. Most of Venice felt like a floating mall with shops and vendors everywhere. Even the food seemed to be done for the tourists and often was underwhelming.
On one of our days We were picked up and dropped off by a water taxi at the hotel by Signoretti, the Murano Venetian Glass Center where glass blowing has been an art for more than 1,000 years. We watched a terrific demonstration by their master glass blower as he made a crystal horse sculpture (picture 7) and vase, then toured their center where amazing vases, chandeliers, glass sets, sculptures, jewelry, etc. were on display. Just beautiful stuff.
By the end of our stay, we were ready to leave the maddening crowds of Venice for our trip to the countryside of Umbria, Italy.
Next challenge was finding our hotel which wasn't so easy given the winding streets and vague street map offered by the Tourism Information Office where our route appeared to indicate straight lines, when in reality they were squiggles. After a few wrong turns and climbs up and down a few extra canals we finally found our hotel in a quiet corner. Since our room wasn't ready We gratefully left our luggage and ventured out for a walk through the incredibly crowded and narrow market streets in the Rialto Bridge (picture 2), San Mark Square (picture 3), Grand Canal (picture 4) and canals to watch the gondolas managing all the water traffic (pictures 5, 6), etc.
During the next 3 days no matter how familiar we got with the streets we would still end up getting lost. This wasn't always such a bad thing (except during the hottest time of the day) as we wandered a lot trying to find the 'real' Venice - where the locals lived - so we could feel the real pulse of the city without the tourist scene. Most of Venice felt like a floating mall with shops and vendors everywhere. Even the food seemed to be done for the tourists and often was underwhelming.
On one of our days We were picked up and dropped off by a water taxi at the hotel by Signoretti, the Murano Venetian Glass Center where glass blowing has been an art for more than 1,000 years. We watched a terrific demonstration by their master glass blower as he made a crystal horse sculpture (picture 7) and vase, then toured their center where amazing vases, chandeliers, glass sets, sculptures, jewelry, etc. were on display. Just beautiful stuff.
By the end of our stay, we were ready to leave the maddening crowds of Venice for our trip to the countryside of Umbria, Italy.
1 comment:
Hi Richard and Susan
We have enjoyed your blog - what a year! We will be in Italy for the month of October and were enchanted by your Umbria stay. Who was the owner of the villa and agriturismo? Was that the ideal location or would you suggest another for the time we are in Umbria. If you have particular recommendations, we would love to hear from you. Happy travels!!!!
Betsy and Alan Gustafson
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