Getting Lost in Venice... Literally

Yesterday was our last full day in Venice so we made the most out of it.  We all had fallen asleep the night before around 7 pm so we were up and eating breakfast by 730am. After that, we went and explored Piazza San Marco(right), which is a quick ½ block from our hotel. This square contains St. Marks Basilica (A.D. 830)(top center), the Doge’s Palace(top right) and Campanile bell tower(top left) (1946).  The Doge’s Palace has one of the only covered bridges in Venice which is called the Bridge of Sighs(left ). The bridge is the link between the palace and the Prison and has windows for prisoners to look out and see the last daylight they will ever see.

Our Hotel offered us a complementary trip to the neighboring island of Murano, which is famous for Murano Glass, which is, hand blown in one of the many factories. We hopped on a taxi and took a trip down the Grand Canal and onto the Venetian 1-5(left) out to the Island. 

We able to watch one of the artists create a few glass pieces which was quite mind blowing for me (I cannot even draw stick figures). He made a vase in about 5 minutes and a horse in about 2 minutes. We then toured the museum where we found 1000 of pieces of glass (By the way one shot glass was 450 euros, bought 50 of them… not.) 

After we returned to main land Venice, we went on an adventure. Venice is a mouse maze and getting lost is part of the experience, so we set out to get lost. Another fact about Venice, nothing is level. Avery building is crooked because Venice was built on Sediment from a river that is particularly solid. Venice has actually sunk about 9 inches and there are efforts underway to help and keep Venice from continuing to sink and flood.

We walked for about 2 hours before we sat down for lunch at one of the little restaurants and then decided to go full Italian. We had the traditional Sangria, Spritz to drink, Prosciutto, Melon, and Caprese Salad to munch on. 

After we ate lunch, we continued our journey until a thunderstorm rolled in. I have never seen so many umbrellas…. Vendors came out of nowhere and started to sell them and of course my mom “No we don’t need that we are from Oregon”.  After walking in circles and getting lost, we returned to the hotel-soaking wet but that was okay with us. 

Note that "Oregon" is written
on the right side of the van

After we dried off a bit and took a break, we went on another adventure to the cruise port, which is across the Grand Canal and the west side of Venice. That was a long walk but we finally found where the only cars are in Venice. They are only allowed to cross the bridge from the mainland and park in a garage. 

 For Dinner we went and found a whole and the wall place that serves AMAZING fresh pasta to go. you have to eat it right away to get the whole experience. Highly recommend Alfredo's Fresh Pasta To Go.

Here is a picture of St. Mark's square at night that i took before i was eaten alive by bugs. 

Well this is my last post for while we are off to get on the cruise, will be posting a lot when i get to Spain on the 23rd so be ready. Sorry it is a bit ugly . And Dad, here is more pictures as you requested.

Bon Voyage!