Venezia, ahhhhh – Spettacolare!

Today we get to explore Venice (top of bucket list!)

This bridge was the last prisoners had “on the outside” as they were transferred across to the prison. Folk lore has it that if you are kissed by your lover under the bridge of sighs as the bells of St Mark’s Campanile are ringing you will be blessed with eternal love and happiness – oh it has to be at sunset too – easy as ….😉

St Mark’s Square looking towards St Mark’s Cathedral

Huge lines of crowds (really was ! This was first thing in the morning before it “opened” for the day ) to get into the duomo, campanile and doge and being such a glorious day, decide just to wander and wonder, don’t want to waste the day in lines or inside !

Peak hour Venetian style

Lunch in a shady spot just around from the Rialto bridge, cicchetti (Italian tapas) & refreshments (thanks for the hot tip Melinda❣)

Sound of bells tolling in Italy – One of the things we will miss! Bought a day pass for the ferries, great way to see the city and get orientated (for him – my internal GPS has never been functional in Australia let alone Italy).

Then headed over to the Nuovo Ghetto – one of the oldest continuous Jewish settlements, “home” to Shylock from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, one among many famous references. Amazing how these places have been in continual use for over 500 years. Took a tour through three synagogues with a Jewish Venetian guide – really interesting!

Had dinner is St Marks Square – yep €€€€+ – worth every cent. Ate at a restaurant which has continually operated for over 300 years, listening to a quintet play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Yep totally worth it ! Napoleon described St Mark’ssquare as “Europe’s drawing room” – and think it is still true today. All ages, all nationalities, all creeds and colours of the world in one place. Wonderful experience!

And then we just HAD to do it ….

No words – would only be cliques but AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME covers it !!

Delightful (no singing 🙁) but great guide to the city – went past one Mozart’s abodes, the grand Opera and heard a beautiful operatic Divas song as we glided out to the Grand Canal. Bliss.