Tag: Europe

VENICE

Buongiorno from Venice,
We arrived in Venice by train on 6 March, and caught the Vaporetto to S.MARCO Vallaresso, where we met our host, Marco, who lead us the short distance to our accommodation. Venetian Infinity Apartment This was to be our home for the next 3 nights. (Thanks for the recommendation, Alan & Julie). That night we visited San Marco Square, and then discovered after a long trek through the lanes and over the countless bridges the supermarket.
On our first full day we walked around to familiarise ourselves with the city and discover the sights. We visited the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, walked over the Accademia Bridge, fought the crowds at Piazzo San Marco, Basilica San Marco, and St Mark’s Campanile, after which we decided we needed a break from tourists and walked along the waterfront to the gardens and enjoyed the quiet and the setting sun.

A very beautiful city.

I had to put a picture of a mask in the collection.

Slow washing day!

Walking the plank, a test for sobriety?

Palazzo Ducale, Venice.

A DHL delivery on its way.

A view down one of the many waterways.

Water taxis come in many different shapes and sizes.

The next day we bought a ‘day pass’ for the Vaporetto and spent much of the day doing ‘hop on, hop off’. We visited a gallery that was displaying working models of some of da Vinci’s ideas. Da Vinci is big at the moment because it is 500 years since he died. At the moment there are excellent exhibitions in the UK and in Italy that we have seen.
On one of our many landings and after crossing the Rialto Bridge we searched out a restaurant that Marco (our host) had recommended. After much searching we found it, Trattoria Ca’ d’oro-Alla Vedova, magnifico! and well worth the effort of the search. After lunch we also visited the market and Basílica de Santa Maria della Salute, which was just lovely. Dinner that night was at ‘Chat Qui Rit’. We shared the building courtyard and garbage bins with the restaurant.

The pole also has a decorative function. The colours represent the family colours, which are sometimes even linked to their political affiliation. It also matched the colour of the family gondola

The view from St Mark’s Campanile.

A colourful ship tied to the wharf.

The pole also has a decorative function. The colours represent the family colours.

A half finished stall awaits completion.

While walking on the Riva degli Schiavoni.

One of the thousands of water taxis in Venice.

Why the shape? In ancient times many of the roofs were covered in straw, so that a simple spark would cause a fire.

Centuries of wear and tear on these magnificent floor tiles, constructed from 1631- 1687.

1631- 1687, Centuries of foot traffic!

Centuries of foot traffic!

A view down one of the many waterways.

Each morning I got up very early and headed out to see if there were any photos to be had, I used my ‘Photographer’s Ephemeris’ app. Checked out the angles of the rising sun, got ‘east and west’ sorted, times of sunrise, blue hour, golden hour, the lot, only one very ‘slight’ problem…..FOG, every morning I was out there, every morning, so was the fog, except, the morning we had to leave. At least we had a nice ride to the airport in beautiful conditions, warmer, blue sky and beaming sunlight! c’est la vie, (hang on, not in France yet) così è la vita!

arrivederci
Lance & Barbara

Early morning shot on a foggy morning.

I had to wait a while for this Gondola to come into the picture.

We ventured into the Basilica, but got out as soon as we could, extremely crowded, hate to see it in the ‘peak’ tourist period.

At the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

My favourite….Pistacchio!

Lots of glass shops in Venice

On the Riva degli Schiavoni late in the day.

Every morning in Venice was foggy, except, the day we had to leave!

This area gets pretty busy in the morning as boats arrive, unload, and make room for the next delivery.

I think he’s wondering if the fog will clear soon!