Venice, Italy - Queen of the Adriatic (2)

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Venice, Italy (May 16-20)

  “Even now I miss Italy dearly, I dream about it every night.” – Eila Hiltunen
Italy is my favorite country and Venice my favorite city. I have had the greatest of luck to see it twice. The first time we arrived too late, it was dark. We only had time for dinner and then to our little hotel. Next day we were leaving for Milan via the train. 
Monty and I flew from Edinburgh through the Charles De Gaulle Airport (Paris) and arrived in Venice about 2 PM. Our tour contact met us at the airport and led us to the water taxi port to meet up with our ride. We rode our water taxi up through the Grand Canal, such a lovely sight to see Venice approaching.

I had seen it before in 2006 and was anxious to see Monty’s reaction. He took tons of photos with a large smile on his face. We were taken up the smaller canals right up to a pier to arrive at our hotel.
We stayed at the Sant' Antonin, a small hotel with a lovely patio where we ate breakfast each morning.  
Sant' Antonin Hotel
I had seen it before in 2006 and was anxious to see Monty’s reaction. He took tons of photos with a large smile on his face. We were taken up the smaller canals right up to a pier to arrive at our hotel. After checking in, we walked through the lobby to the back covered patio to find a hidden gem.  Such a beautiful secret to discover. Lovely flowers blooming and lots of shade with a fountain in the center. 
Lovely Gardens















We took the elevator (a relief) to our room. Small but comfortable. No air conditioning  (ugh) but large windows to open. We had a nice breeze so that helps. Since we arrived early in the afternoon, we had time to wander and get our bearings. Of course, the first destination is St Mark’s Square. As you come around the corner stands the Basilica, Clock Tower, and the Museo Correr. On one side of the square are small shops and a couple of very expensive restaurants with bands playing music. Such a beautiful site but too many pigeons.

StMarks2

Day two was a walking tour and Gondola ride through our travel company. We had a great tour guide and we saw the back streets of Venice which was nice since most of the time you miss those. Afterwards we enjoyed an evening gondola ride. On our walk back to the hotel there were several restaurant’s to choose from for dinner. We stopped and after dinner made our way back to the hotel.

GondolaRide2



Hotel-canal
Day three was our tour at the Doge’s Palace and prison. Breakfast and off we went to meet up the guide. The crowds are huge so having a tour is great to get head of line privilege.
The Doge's Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice, opening as a museum in 1923. You see original wallpaper and furniture. A very beautiful place. 











Included is the Bridge of Sighs leading to the prison area. The cells were small and you are aware of how crowded and awful it had to be.
View from Bridge of Sighs - the prisoners last sight of freedom

A Prisoner Cell
 We decided we would see the Basilica and I purchased the tickets online so we could get in quicker. Not expensive, just have to be aware there are better ways than waiting in a two or more hour line. A large, solemn and beautiful church. 
St Mark's Basilica
Mass is still held twice a day. Sorry, no photos of interior allowed. 

Scenes of Venice:

















Part of our trip itinerary included an island tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello.

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A lovely day to take a boat ride.  Please see next post for that adventure story.
  

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