Venice

( Click on the pictures for a slide show) These next six photos are of the ferry ride to the harbor where we were bussed to our hotel on Lido where the International Film Festival had been held. Originally we had been booked into a hotel right on the island of Venice which would have meant easier access to the grand canal and tourist attractions. However; once we got to our hotel on Lido, which is a sand bar on the Adriatic sea, not a single person was unhappy as it was luxurious by Italian standards. We had beds that were soft!!!!!  Previously it felt like we were sleeping on the box springs instead of mattresses.

 I do NOT exaggerate! Comfort and air conditioning does not seem to be part of these tours. The bathrooms however are incredible.

 Ok back to Venice. As you can see, cruise ships etc. have no problem entering into the main area of the city.

 A side "street".

 Here we are getting closer to the main attractions of the city.










Below is the dome of  St. Marks Bascillica 

The "bling".

Check out the marble patterns. They must have mined the best of the best for these cathedrals. 















The Murano glass blowing factory where you were not supposed to take pictures. How could I not risk arrest for sneaking a pic of this fabulous horse? We really didn't want to take this tour because we have seen glass blowers locally but this place truly is in a class of it's own. The glass makers apprentice for approximately twenty years before they are considered masters. We have never seen such beautiful glass work and the prices reflect the quality.

These masks, not the gondolas or the glass works or cathedrals, are what define Venice for me. I couldn't wait to see them and and those elaborate designs. Of course it was no photos allowed, I'm such a rebel and risk taker!

 Since I was born in August and am a Leo I would have to choose this mask but it seems too masculine to me so would either select the one above or one of the next three.

Picturesque.

Colorful and organic.

Outrageous

No comment.

 Here they are, the famous gondolas on the canals of Venice. This one shows the traffic jam that happens quite regularly between the motor boats and the gondolas.

How to get around the tight corners.

A quiet canal. Quite picturesque though.

Interesting sculpture at the military site.

The Bridge of Sighs ruined with the banners advertising something to do with the film festival. Ignore all the blue parts as graffiti and look at the bridge part in the middle over the water. This was the bridge connecting the jail to the place of execution and the view through the windows was the last view of the outside world to the prisoners being lead across to their departure from this world. They would sigh at the beauty and sadness of the situation thus giving the bridge it's name.

This is the end of our visit to Italy but we must pay tribute to this handsome Italian named Antonio who was our tour director and caretaker for the entire trip. He loved his job, is passionate about the history of his country to the point of stretching the truth a bit, but took excellent care of us. We became Antonio's family and like all family dynamics we annoyed each other, amused each other but mostly cared and appreciated each other. Some of us (E) fell head over heels for this charismatic man and who can blame her. I fell for his lyrical voice and have a video at the end just as a souvenir of it. To anyone thinking of taking a tour of Italy, Trafalgar does give service and if you are lucky you will get this man as your guide.