Day 3 - Venice and Murano

San Marco Square under Water

What can I say - I love Venice.  I don't think there can possibly be another city like it anywhere in the world.  It has a character all it's own.  The main area of Venice must consist of a hundred little islands joined together by walking bridges.  Beyond that there are the outlying islands, each dedicated to a different purpose. The Northern Lagoon holds Murano, the industry is glass blowing.  San Michele is the city cemetery. Mazzorbo and Sant'Erasmo consist mainly of small farms .  On Burano, the people either make lace or are fishermen.  A half dozen other smaller islands are off the typical tourist's path.   Words just can't do this city justice - you have to see it yourself to understand how special it is.

Golden Ceiling entry to Doge's Palace

Today we got up early and joined our group for a tour of the Doge's Palace.  The doge was the elected leader of the Venetian Republic when it was an independent republic.   We were allowed to take photos only  in the courtyard.  Inside the ceilings and walls are covered with wonderful oil paintings, mostly by Jacopo Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, and their students.  I was not familiar with these artists before, but am now a fan, especially of Veronese.  I think I could easily spend days in this palace, just examining the art.  There is so much to see.   Every nook and cranny brings another surprise.

After leaving the palace, we walked around San Marco square.  Around, because you could not walk through without getting wet.  There has been a lot of rain lately and the tide was high, resulting in water coming up through the tiles and drains instead of the other way around.  Venice is barely above water normally, and is slowly sinking under the weight of the buildings.  San Marco Cathedral is probably the heaviest building so it is sinking faster and taking the square with it.  Our guide told us about "the Moses Project"  which is trying to divert the water.  I will have to find out more about that when I am home and have a less expensive internet connection.

Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal

We couldn't go into the cathedral today because the bishop was conducting a mass there this morning and the lines were very long in the afternoon.   When we left San Marco square, we went on a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and through some of the smaller canals.  It was lovely, but we could see the water creeping up into the lower floors of the houses.  

Master Glass-Blower creates a Vase

The group split up after that.  Most wanted to go off exploring on their own, but we and 2 other couples decided to go with our guide to the island of Murano.   This was definitely worth the trip.  We piled into another water taxi and crossed the Northern Lagoon to get to Murano.  Along the way we got to see Venice from a completely different perspective, passing Sant'Erasmo and San Michele along the way.   Once on Murano we were welcomed into the Ferro e Lazzarini glassworks where we were treated to a private demonstration by a master glass blower.  In front of our eyes he formed a beautiful vase and a dancing horse.  The best of the glass pieces from their master craftsmen wind up in museums around the world and we got to see some of these collector pieces on display. 

Returning to Venice proper,  Ray & I found a nice little restaurant for a spaghetti dinner and a bottle of wine. (Not an orange bottle, good Merlot ;-}.) We then did a little souvenir shopping, stopped for gelato, and caught the water shuttle boat back to the Hilton.  

We are both very tired, but wouldn't have missed a minute.  We will get to sleep early tonight.  Tomorrow we have to meet our group at 8AM to begin our journey to Florence.