Days 5-6: Venice | rick-steves-italy-1

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Torna a Surriento -

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"Come Back To Sorrento" is a Neopolitan song allegdly composed by two brothers, Ernesto

and Giambattista De Curtis, in 1902.

Although originally written about a city in southern Italy, one can also feel the spirit of

Venice in this piece.

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Where are we?

Andiamo a Firenze

Where are we?

"Come Back To Sorrento"

is a Neopolitan song allegedly

composed by two brothers, Ernesto

and Giambattista De Curtis in 1902.

It reflects the beauty of Sorrento and

the passion of its people - traits easily applied to Venice.

Accademia Bridge with the dome of La Salute Church in the distant background.
La Salute Church
Gondoliers
Palazzo Barbarigo
Picturesque canals
A little Venetian drizzle...
St. Mark's Square with St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace in the background.
Campanile at the opposite end of the Square.
St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Interior

Correr Museum
Museum interior
Doge's Palace, the seat of Venetian government.
The bronze Lion of Venice symbolizes both the city of Venice and one of its patron saints, St. Mark.
This forbidding little fellow, Bocca di Leone, is a mailbox in the Palace wall where ancient Venetians could post accusations to magistrates.
One of the beautiful Palace corridors.
Paintings cover the walls of the many rooms.
The Senate Hall
The Hall of the Grand Council could hold 2,600 people.
Medieval armor display.
16th. century chastity belt...fortunately this innovation was shorted-lived!
These four 300 A.D. gentlemen huddled outside the Palace represent the Tetrarchy of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
The Bridge of Sighs connecting the prison to the palace.
Lagoon view from the Bridge of Sighs...the last prisoners would see.
Lagoon view from the Palace.

DAY 5

As we travelled to our next destination, VENICE, we thought about the varied geography northern Italy has to offer. From lakes and soaring mountain ranges to a city on a fortified lagoon, all within a day's drive of each another.

Carless Venice is accessable by motorized bus-boats called

vaporetto. With luggage in tow, our group boarded and mingled with the locals pursuing their daily activities.

"When in Venice, do as the..."

Andiamo a Firenze

Our hotel, Antigo Trovatore, was conveniently located close to the Grand Canal, St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace as well as stores and restaurants.

After a brief orientation tour by Mary followed by a little free time, we walked en masse to an authentic Italian dinner at a local restaurant. On the bus ride to Venice, Mary had mentioned that one of the most meaningful things she had done while visiting the city was taking a gondola ride. By this time we had learned that Mary's "suggestions" were not to be taken lightly and the whole tour group finished off the evening with what was to be an unforgetable experience made even richer by a guitar accompanied vocalist.

DAY 6

Thus far on our tour we had enjoyed perfect weather: sun, blue skies and 80 degree temperatures. That was all about to change our second day in Venice. We awakened to clouds and drizzle which progressed to rain as the day wore on. We were met at our hotel by our local guide, Elisabetta. With umbrellas in hand, we made our way to The Rialto Fish Market (more varities of sea life than we knew existed) and the shop of an artisan forcola maker who custom crafts his oarlocks to the individual gondolier. After an exciting water taxi ride enroute to St. Mark's Square and Basilica, we were ready for lunch and time on our own to tour Correr Museum and Doge's Palace.