A Room in Rome: Mon., May 23rd, 2011
Photo of a water bus, the main means of transportation in Venice. Also, there are water taxis, but we used them only to get us to our hotel from the mainland and again to the airport.
Up before 6 am because we are driving to Venezia (Venice) with an 11:30 am deadline in order to return our van without paying for an extra day. All is well on the drive. Alan loads the van perfectly, we have very little traffic, and we arrive at the drop-off rental on time, although we have a bit of trouble finding the office, driving all the way up a 10-level circular garage only to find the Europa office is all the way at the bottom on the Exit side. Confusing, because signage is poor, if not missing altogether!
Just one of the magnificent buildings on our way to our hotel.
We take our first water taxi to the hotel. The taxi driver is also our guide, pointing out buildings and landmarks. Seems strange to be traveling on a waterway instead of a highway. We take our luggage to our hotel, which is right near St. Mark’s Square and in the middle of everything: shops, restaurants, food stands and lots of Murano glass objects from the famous island nearby with that name… and masks, masks, masks!
How could I pass up a picture of this mask surrounded by fruit?
After lunch, I nap and then organize the room. The concierge recommended a restaurant that turns out to be lovely, with a garden and pleasant service. My entrée is a little small for me, so I order dessert. Dinner is a 2 ½ hour affair and very relaxing, much more sane than the hurried meals we often have at home where the staff can’t wait until you leave!
The architecture is amazing in Venice!
Back to our hotel and in bed by 11 p.m. Another full day tomorrow!
July 25th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Did you see the interior of St. Mark’s Cathedral with all the mosaics?
I have a Murano glass bracelet from the Palmer Museum gift shop PSU. Each Venetian glass creation is unique and not another like it.
Sarton’s mother found their fragile Venetian glass vase in the WWI rubble
in their home when they returned to it after the war.
I remember riding the water bus into Venice for free. Somehow we did not get charged!
Plan to go back and read all your Rome itinerary as I just finished reading Richard Paul Evans’ novel “The Last Promise” which is set in Tuscany and “Under the Tuscan Sun”. I was in Italy for most of a week with my ex and 2 kids in 1979. In St. Peters Sq for Easter with the Pope! That was when I was still Catholic.
Coll
July 26th, 2011 at 3:50 am
No, we did not go inside. Next time! The Murano glass is beautiful! Sounds like you had a great adventure also. Both books sound good to me since going to Italy. Thanx for emailing your comments.
ellensue
July 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I thought you sent this before. Or was I dreaming?
Coll
July 28th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Do you mean my comment or the posting? ellensue
July 31st, 2011 at 10:59 pm
ellen sue:
Your pictures looked so familiar. We were at the same places at different times.
Did you get to Peggy Guggenheim’s home? Did you get to ride a motorboat on the canal?
Glad you all had such a great time.
Bernice
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:29 pm
We chose not to go to the Guggenheim.Went to the town of Burano instead. We were on a water bus and a water taxi & Alan & I took a gondola ride on our last night in Venice. Very lovely! es