We visited Venice in late September 2008 and the city more than lived up to our expectations.We arrived on a somewhat wet evening, tired from the long plane ride and negotiating the airport and vaporetto, and disembarked on the Riva, the promenade along the water--and disembarkation site for a vairety of small boats, including the vaporetto. The view on the left is what we saw! St. George Maggiore on its own island in the lagoon. I knew I was in a place I'd seen only in pictures and my heart did a little quick step.
The Riva was full of people, not all tourists, but a lot, walking purposefully or strolling and admiring the view. Our hotel was not so far from the vaporetto stop, but over two bridges, so we were glad we traveled light as we carried our bags up and down the steps (Jack carried; I dragged). Vendors--souvenirs mostly--snaked through the middle of the broad esplanade, cafes and small shops lined one side, and the lagoon on the other. We spend a lot of time walking along this pedestrian thoroughfare--marveling at the sites, both human and environmental.
All along the quay people were stopping for photos or,even better, sketching and watercoloring.
We walked and walked and walked--no other way to get around in the middle of the island--and enjoyed not having to dodge, or hear, automobiles. The weather favored us--sunny and warm each day, so here are some shapshots of some of the highlights. Venice has always been a town of merchants
All good come in by boat--the all the markets--the meat and fish and green--are full of fresh, beautifully arranged
goods for sale. I saw types of fish I had never seen before, as well as cheeses, oils, and these bouqets of red peppers.
The primary landmark is St. Mark's Square, larger than I expected and bounded on one side by St. Mark's Cathedral and the Doge's Palace plus a clock tower. The church has a Byzantine style, overlaid with Italian Renaissance--very beautiful. The ceilings and walls inside are mosaic, sparkling and shining in the sunlight (we were there at a good time). The first time we walked through it was at night on that first misty night, so we saw the square in its most beautiful--empty of the hordes of daytime tourists. Three sides are arcaded Renaissance buildings, now used for a museum and administrative things. On the evening we walked through, two orchestras were playing outside, one on each side. We could look into the shop windows and the restaurants--magical.We liked our hotel--Nuovo Teson--small, but wonderfully located and with some very interesting and helpful front desk men. And the morning breakfast was free and good. The hotel had guests from several different countries, so we enjoyed our breakfasts looking at and listening to them. Amazed me that the front desk men could speak all the different languages!
We also went out to Murano, the glass making island, and, of course, bought a beautiful vase and 2 martini glasses. They have not arrived yet, but should be here soon.
More to come.
