Venice Again
We love Venice. We’ve now taken five trips there since October 2010 and we are already discussing the next one…. This time we had the opportunity to see La Serenissima through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old and it was great fun!
Aubrey made us go on a gondola. we are indebted to her!
Our friends came from Washington, D.C., and rather than letting them crash in Rome, we whisked them off to Venice on the high-speed train. I think this can be a good way to arrive in Italy from the U.S. We’ve done it twice ourselves: Land in early morning in Milan or Rome and take a Freccia train to Venice, allowing for a catnap and time to lunch on the train, then settling into B&B or apartment and freshening up with a shower. By this time you are sufficiently revived to hit the calli of Venice and take a walk to get your bearings in the daylight before an early (for Italy) dinner about 19:00. After a good night’s sleep you are practically adjusted to local time by the next morning.
You cannot see everything in Venice in a couple of days, but you can get a good taste of this unique locale. We did a pretty good job of covering territory, walking about 6 miles (9.6 km) each day, first through San Marco, San Polo, and Dorsoduro on Day One, then through Murano and Burano on Day Two.
Of course we visited favorites: Frari Church, my jeweler on Murano, the tower at San Giorgio Maggiore. But Ric and I try to do something we have never done before each time we visit Venice. This trip, at the urging of our young friend Aubrey, we added gondola ride to our experience list. I have always thought the gondola a dorky, touristy thing to do, and it probably is, BUT it was really fun to see the city from a different angle and in the back canals. I think it may be even more fun as a group than as the iconic romantic ride for a couple. As a result, we very well might do it again the next time we take friends or family to Venice. Rick and Jane, are you ready yet?
Below, past the insane cruise ship photo sequence, are a few more pictures of our trip. The following three photos illustrate the insanity of letting cruise hips sail throughu Venice in the Giudecca Canal.
As we approached San Marco in a vaporetto, this cruise ship was making its way into the Bacino to go out to sea.
The all-too-big ship pulls alongside our “water bus” or vaporetto.
These things are just too big. Starting in November, the biggest are suppose to be banned. It was frightening to see how close they can come to other water traffic.
Click any image below to see a slideshow.
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- Libby lays claim to Ric’s suitcase as he packs for Venice.
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- Arriving back at our apartment in Venice one afternoon, we saw this dress hanging out the window, like a piece of fabric art.
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- Our gondoliere, Paulo, steers us along the canal as Aubrey and Kim enjoy the ride.
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- View from the gondola
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- The shops even decorate the windows that are only seen by people passing in a gondola.
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- Iconic Lion of Venice in San Marco.
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- Kim, Aubrey and John ham it up in the courtyard. We rented a large apartment near San Marco and loved it!
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- In a city of architectural wonders, these stairs are from 1499!
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- Maestro Giorgio Bruno with me outside his studio on Murano. We visit him every trip. I encourage you to drop by, too. Cross the green bridge and turn left away from the majority of shops.
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- Why do we find laundry hanging out a window so picturesque?
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- Aubrey sports her new heart from Giorgio Bruno.
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- Aubrey was afforded the opportunity to blow a glass bulb.
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- Giorgio treated us to a demonstration of his glass-working skills.
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- Two piccoline in pink enjoy gelato in a Murano doorway.
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- Color-coordinated laundry, Burano.
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- Although the weather was not the best. we thoroughly enjoyed our ride through the canals.
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- Kim and I engage a gondoliere in negotiations for services.
Girovaga 
I miss Venice. Best pastries at Tonolo, if you’re still there. 🙂
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Back in Rome, but we always go to Tonolo! they were chock-a-block full of Easter treats, of course!
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I miss Venice. Best pastries at Tonolo, if you are still there. 🙂
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I would not want to do Venice again.
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We will be in Venice next month and will visit your jeweler. Agree about the huge cruise ships – sad for the passengers, good for the environment and good for the buildings. Maybe we will see fewer demonstrations against the ships on our next visits.
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Oh Nigel I wish we could be there too! Tell Giorgio I said Hello! Ciao to Carol!
*Laurel L. Barton* *Roma, Italia* http://www.GoodDayRome.com
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Seeing things through a youngster’s eyes always puts a different perspective on things, usually in a positive way. Love the glass blowing. I’ve started a collection of handblown vases from Cannon Beach. Can’t wait to see a pic of your new jewels. You are definitely “pretty in pink”. 🙂
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Thanks Anita! The girly side of me I guess. But the new jewelry is red.
Jennifer would LOVE Venice. So would you! .
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I’ve loved your signature reds but pinks are a good direction for you to be going! Next, blues?
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Yes, I do “electric blue” too. Always with the brights!
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I’ll never tire hearing of your trips to Venice. Photos are great too. What should I be looking for in future pictures of you, Laurel, to see your latest treasure from you favorite jeweler?
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Ciao Bella! I will have Aubrey take my picture with my new find just for you Carolyn. They are returning to Rome today after a few days in Siena.
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Thank you! I forgot to mention that I really liked Aubrey’s heart necklace!
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I love the shot of LIbby, the all knowing kitty, who is pretending to be unconcerned.
And Laurel, you look fabulous in pink. Seeing Venice always gives me pangs. Who doesn’t love Venice!
Thanks!
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Laurel, as always … molto bellissimo! We’re certainly looking forward to our (short) visit this Fall. Not that I’m defending cruise ships, but you happened to see a particular ship that carries 4,700 passengers – WAY to big for me. BTW, thanks for your Bologna advice – I completed our apartment rental last week.
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Yes Will, it’s the big ones that are a bit scary when seen cruising thru Venice. What if one hit the Riva? Ugh!
I’ll look forward to hearing about Bologna — and to Gracia’s photos — as we will not make it there before you do!
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Libby seems less worried these days when we leave, but there are always “messages” like this. Sometimes Jane leaves stuffed mouse in a suitcase.
Glad you like the pink. I am branching out from my signature red!
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