Venice: Gondolas, Glass and much more!

When I saw Venice it was just as I had imagined and so much more. It is so enchanting with canals, charming bridges, quiet in the absence of vehicles, and all the colors of Venice!

My stay there started off with a dinner the first night there. Seafood is prevalent in their cuisine. I like seafood so I ordered a more typical meal. The first course was small whole fish. The second course was black cuttlefish spaghetti (I didn’t know what this was at the time). It came out with a black ink sauce from the little creatures. It looked like worms, but it didn’t taste too bad…just weird. Next came the mixed fried seafood. My food had eyes and tentacles and made for some great fun playing with it.

The following morning began with a stop by the Rialto Bridge near San Marco square. It gave a great view of the Grand Canal, gondolas, and buildings sitting along the river. The walk there took us over many characteristic bridges above winding canals. San Marco square was so pretty. The large area was lined with classy shops and cafes. The area was covered in pigeons though. Venders were selling corn to feed them and many people were out there among the birds. So…I had to feed them too! It went against all instinct because those creatures are so nasty, but it was such a fun time! We would put the feed in our hands or on our arms and then become swarmed by pigeons…and then shriek.

In the same area was the Doge’s palace. This building had a wonderful courtyard hidden within; it seems to be common of many important buildings. We got a tour of the painted rooms. This is where the government met and made decisions. Connected to the palace is the Bridge of Sighs. I, like many others, thought it was named this because of its romantic appeal. Instead, it was the connection from the palace to the prison and prisoners would “sigh” crossing the canal. The bridge is beautiful from the outside, but inside it is quite gloomy and cold.

That afternoon I visited Murano, the island that makes the famous glass. It was a quiet place, but had many shops displaying glass masterpieces…most out of my price range. There was also a glass blowing demonstration and I witnessed a fish being made. I enjoyed the boat ride to the island and even better was watching the sunset over Venice.

The next day I finally took a gondola ride, and it was so lovely. We went down small canals, under arched bridges and into the Grand Canal and saw the Rialto Bridge from a different perspective. On our short tour of Venice by gondola we saw 700 to 800 year old palaces and even Casanova’s house. It was so peaceful on the calm water in the morning.

Venice made for some good shopping and wonderful sights. I definitely want to come back here again someday…soon!