And apologies for not including a map of
Europe in my previous post!
After a fantastic stay in Rome, we braved rush hour
traffic:
and headed to Rome Termini Station to catch the
train to Venice......
After an interesting 6 hour trip through Tuscany .....
made all the more interesting by the presence of gangs
of gypsies that roamed up and down the train begging.....
and maybe sussing out vulnerable tourists - and no, I'm
not being cynical or judgemental it's a well known fact.....
just Google Termini Station and pick-pockets....
We arrived in a cold and wet Venice! Maybe it was all the bad
Karma on the train!
The cold weather continued for our stay.......
But that didn't really deter us from exploring this great city......
We boarded a vaporetto and cruised up and down the
Grand Canal, disembarking whenever we felt like it!
And Venice was even more beautiful than I imagined - even
on a cold and grey day......
The vaporetto is, in fact, a water bus used by locals
and tourists alike. There are numerous stops along the Grand
Canal - the yellow dock to the left is where one boards.....
If you get sick in Venice, this ambulance vaporetto whisks you
off to the local hospital......
Rush hour in Venice!!!
Heading under the famous Bridge of Sighs, named supposedly
for the sighs prisoners gave as they were led to gaol and had
their last sight of beautiful Venice....
And of course, it wouldn't be Venice without these:
And yes, we did briefly debate on a ride in a gondola but it was way too cold,
and there were very few tourists on the water....
We were heading to this spot.......
St.Mark's Square........
The Piazza San Marco is the principal public square of Venice.
Napoleon called it "the drawing room of Europe"
The famous Clock Tower in St.Mark's Square.....
The Campanile....
The Piazza San Marco is usually crowded with tourists,
often sitting outside sipping espresso at the many tables in
the Square - but not today, it was way too cold!
Many of the tables were folded away!
A close- up of the Cathedral of St. Mark.......
The entrance to the National Library.....
We wandered around the narrow streets and stores.....
Anna debtating whether to go into Roberto Cavalli's!
Lots of designer stores........ Celine of Paris....
This reminds me of a shroud- there's no accounting for
tastes, I guess!
I didn't notice this lady begging until I had taken the photo.
And again, without sounding cynical, I noticed similar " staged" scenes
throughout Venice - it's part of the tourist scene. And if you don't believe
me just google begging in Venice. These "beggars" make a fortune!
Venice has long been famous for its glassware.....
made for centuries on the island of Murano in the Venice Lagoon...
The famous Faberge eggs and jewellery made from Murano glass...
We admired these life- size sculptures, ingenious how they are
made. The photo wasn't brilliant due to the glare but if you look
to the right at the male sculpture, you'll get a better idea....
We wandered back into the Piazza......
I love this photo - my skills are improving!
The cold drove us back to the shops and alleyways for some warmth....
A different way to display one's goods!
Window shopping?
We stopped off for hot tea and cannoli...... to keep
warm of course!
Anna trying out her new lorgnette - it makes her look
very exotic! But it saves taking the specs out every time!
And then we wandered some more.....
A boat picking up garbage....
And more gondolas......
Quiet canals......
And the gloves I didn't get in Rome??
I had to get them in Venice.... I needed them because it
was cold of course!! Exquisitely soft and exquisitely made,
my souvenir from Venice.......
Deserted today because it was so cold....
But someone's optimistic their laundry will dry....
I loved this door knocker...
And a final last look......
And a simple dinner as we were starving and cold.......
It tasted better than it looked!
She's from Wales and he's originally from Edmonton, both
now live in the UK and are slowly travelling around the world.
One of the best things about travel is the people one meets.....
And a final photo of some gondolas - almost as good as mine!
Talk soon - where to next, I wonder??
Zoe
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