Our first official day in Venice began pretty slowly. We had planned to go on the glass blowing tour at 9:00 AM, but when we got there in the morning, the only available one was at 10:00 AM. They explained that there weren't enough people to do a 9:00, which made sense to me. Dave was suspicious that this was the "heavy-sell" type of tour we had heard about, but I didn't think so as it was through the hotel. After our time being moved, I got a little more leery of the story. We killed some time by reading Italian newspapers and booking a hotel in Rome. (I heart Expedia!) Our guide finally showed up and we were the only two going . . . hmmmm. We got to Murano, and were able to watch the glassblowers in action. There were about ten other people at the Furnace, all with other guides. After about ten minutes watching him (with no good pictures, unfortunately--they move too quickly!), we were led into the showroom. There were about six rooms of amazing sculptures, dish ware, vases, chandeliers, and every possible thing imaginable. We spent way too long there, not sure about how to exit without purchasing a $20,000 sculpture (a boat-shaped deal that I fell in love with) or $1350 tumblers (six beautiful cups Dave fell in love with). Turns out Dave's suspicions were correct--heavy-handed, hard-sell, super-pricey . . . we got it all! We finally told our guide that we weren't in the market for such things, and with small children it wasn't very feasible, and exited rather quickly. Why hadn't we thought of that sooner!?! Ah well, we did learn quite a bit about how the glass ware was made, what techniques they use to make a mirrored surface or not inside or out, what different powders do to the different finishes . . . so while it was overlong, it was a fun educational experience. Maybe not for our guide . . . but oh well! : ) We wandered around Murano, had lunch at a little restaurant that is only open for lunch . . . (maybe that explains the "patate fritte" and frozen breaded pork chop. So much for swank!), then headed back to Venice.
I have to say my absolute favorite thing about Venice is the architecture--so many gorgeous buildings! I love the middle eastern-influenced windows everywhere, the window boxes with flowers in bloom, the little balconies, the every-colored buildings, the narrow waterways . . . it was amazing!
A little other-wordly too--it was so crazy to be driving by . . . I mean, floating by, or driving in a boat, or whatever--and look over to see a doorway half-submerged in the water. Or, on our way out, the outdoor cafe seating completely flooded. Good thing they weren't open!
We did get go on a gondola ride, which was amazing! Part of the Venetian experience, for sure. We rode by Marco Polo's house, Mozart's house, stopped by the Rialto Bridge for a bit (and under it too, as it was raining!), went by the Bridge of Sighs again, got to watch a garbage boat at work, delivery boats, and even construction boats! Our driver got yelled at for going backwards on the route (apparently there's a set route every gondola takes), which was very cool (not that he was yelled at, but) because it was all in Italian and I understood the basic verbage. : ) He went backwards because we told him we wanted to see Rialto, so he went there first. Sweet, huh? He even let us use his personal umbrella when it was raining. So, so fun! I think staying in Venice for longer than two days would definitely require a limit-less credit card (that someone else payed off) for the major shopping available (Versace, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, etc!), and some water-proof boots. : ) But we had a great time while we were here!
On the way out, I took a picture of the bridge the train travels on--doesn't it look like a dinosaur skeleton? Ah, I love architecture! : )
Ciao, Venice! Ci vediamo!
I have to say my absolute favorite thing about Venice is the architecture--so many gorgeous buildings! I love the middle eastern-influenced windows everywhere, the window boxes with flowers in bloom, the little balconies, the every-colored buildings, the narrow waterways . . . it was amazing!
A little other-wordly too--it was so crazy to be driving by . . . I mean, floating by, or driving in a boat, or whatever--and look over to see a doorway half-submerged in the water. Or, on our way out, the outdoor cafe seating completely flooded. Good thing they weren't open!
We did get go on a gondola ride, which was amazing! Part of the Venetian experience, for sure. We rode by Marco Polo's house, Mozart's house, stopped by the Rialto Bridge for a bit (and under it too, as it was raining!), went by the Bridge of Sighs again, got to watch a garbage boat at work, delivery boats, and even construction boats! Our driver got yelled at for going backwards on the route (apparently there's a set route every gondola takes), which was very cool (not that he was yelled at, but) because it was all in Italian and I understood the basic verbage. : ) He went backwards because we told him we wanted to see Rialto, so he went there first. Sweet, huh? He even let us use his personal umbrella when it was raining. So, so fun! I think staying in Venice for longer than two days would definitely require a limit-less credit card (that someone else payed off) for the major shopping available (Versace, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, etc!), and some water-proof boots. : ) But we had a great time while we were here!
On the way out, I took a picture of the bridge the train travels on--doesn't it look like a dinosaur skeleton? Ah, I love architecture! : )
Ciao, Venice! Ci vediamo!
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