Is there a more fascinating city on the planet than Venice? Honestly. I know it's a tourist trap. I get that. But if you stay away from St. Mark's Square and the usual suspect places... it really is remarkable.
On our way into Venice, you once again sail down the Grand Canal. We went to our designated location where we were to wait to get off the boat and played the game, "How much is that yacht worth?" Oh just 200 million? Cool. Pocket change.
I try very hard to be frugal when we travel. We try to stay in places that are under 90 Euro a night (total... not each.) I try to scan Trip Advisor for "best cheap eats." When we fly, I never purchase a flight for more than 100 each. In fact, I usually try to keep it under 80 each. But when it's 100 degrees, and you have two 70 pound suitcases, one with a broken wheel that you're pretty much dragging everywhere, you don't bother with the bus back to the people mover back to the train that takes you back to Mestre to try to save a few bucks. You just spend that money on that air conditioned cab and you don't feel bad at all about it!
And how about that car headrest cover, folks?!
I know I mentioned this in other posts, but Venice is crazy expensive in the summer. We stayed in the Mestre area because it's WAY less expensive. We paid 85 Euro for a room in a hostel. A hostel! But it's a five minute walk to the train and for a couple of Euro, it can take you to Venice Santa Lucia. Totally worth the savings! (Side note: Any other time of year, go ahead and stay on the island of San Marco!)
Venice photos don't need a lot of explanation. You've been waiting all your life... go and find those dreams.
It's flower box season everyone!
I love the cirrus clouds above Venice.
Bridges and boats.
Venice will always be one of my favorite cities in the entire world. It never disappoints.
It's been a while since we've seen any creepy baby doll heads. This one looks drunk.
BLEEP! Expletives!?!
I can't even. The kids were particularly impressed with this one. (More expletives!)
One of my favorite photos from our stroll. We have been to Venice before. We had no desire to go to St. Mark's Square. We just really enjoyed strolling all of the back streets and waterways.
Here we are in the midst of our walk over to the north part of the island where we could get a boat to go to Murano for what we called "Redemption Day." (Long story made short... when we were here in 2016, Todd left some Murano glass vases on the boat and someone stole them.) Today we went to Murano to buy new ones! Here we are in the Campo di San Silvestro.
Just Venice.
Waterways, quiet roads... it doesn't matter. Venice is pretty almost everywhere you go. Every once in a while, I take a nice picture.
Hey, remember last time we were in Venice? The Rialto Bridge was under construction! The tarp has been removed!
The Rialto Bridge was built in the late 1500s although a bridge has been here since the 12th century. It's the oldest of all of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal. There are even little shops on the bridge!
Chocolate fountain love on the other side of the Grand Canal.
This one is in the top 3 for favorite pictures of Venice. Everything is serene and peaceful. Never mind there were probably 50 people behind me on the bridge.
Hello down there!
Remember how I said that Venice was full of tourists in the summer? I promise... you can find those quiet spots.
Why yes. Yes I do have a wonder uterus. I don't even know what that means, but I know I produced two amazing kids out of it. I'd be a solid member of Gilead if Handmaid's Tale was real!
We took the boat (the 4.1 or the 4.2) to Murano for glasswork redemption! That's the main island of San Marco/Venice in the background.
Whatever you do... DO NOT SIT DOWN ON THIS CHAIR. (Five minutes later, a man was sitting here ha ha!) Silly Murano!
Murano feels like Venice, only the buildings don't seem as high to me.
What? You think we should stop for a Fanta and a beer? OK! Grant's best friend Jonathan just moved to Texas, and one of their favorite phrases was, "BIG GUMMY!" I honestly have no idea what that means, but they had some BIG GUMMIES and wanted to take a picture so I could send it to Jonathan's mom!
I'm loving these buildings in Murano! Not as colorful as Burano but that turquoise is fantastic!
Oh ALL this SASS. Meanwhile, mom is oblivious.
After the sweet, sweet redemption of buying Murano glass to replace what was stolen from us on our last trip to Venice, we strolled around for a bit.
We went into the Church of St. Peter the Martyr. It was completed in 1511.
The Torre dell'Orologio with the Comet Glass Star made of Murano glass in front of the tower. The comet was made in December of 2007.
Murano - far less busy than Venice.
Another view of the Torre dell'Orologio in Murano.
Once the glass pieces were secured, we hopped on the boat back to Venice. Actually, we waited and waited for one to come and when it finally did... it went to a different dock. So we ran over to the other dock but missed that boat. In the meantime, the right boat pulled up to the dock we had been standing at for what seemed like forever. Of course! So we ran back … we made it!
Natalie led the way back into the city when we got off the boat from Murano.
Natalie ALSO wanted to buy a gondola ride for all of us. The last time we were in Venice, she wanted to sit in the "good" seat and cried that she couldn't. So this time she said, "I will buy us all a gondola ride if I can sit in the good seat!"
Deal!
Our gondola driver was fantastic! We didn't pick him up from a spot where there are a million gondoliers. He and his partner were on a quiet canal and his boat was very new! He had inherited a boat from his father, but it needed to be replaced.
He swung us out to the Grand Canal briefly, but brought us back to the quiet streets soon after.
Caught a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge when we were on the water.
Hey, we ran out of space in our house. Can we just build out over the water? I know my former boss Rich would have a field day with these buildings and how they are classified when it comes to flood insurance! Where's the lowest adjacent grade on these!?!
He's super cute when he's happy. Like genuinely happy.
Our gondolier told us that most gondoliers inherit the license from their fathers (there are only about 400 in total, and although it used to be a requirement to pass down the license to their sons, it's no longer necessary.) I asked him if he had any children, and he said yes... one daughter. So I asked if she would be able to inherit the license and the gondola when he retires. He said, "I wouldn't mind if she did. Women don't normally become gondoliers, but if she wanted to, I would support that. Normally the daughters of gondoliers pass the license on to their husbands." He also said she hasn't shown any interest so far... but then again, she was still somewhat young! Very interesting! Currently there is one female gondolier in all of Venice, and she's the first ever!
Quiet Venice is the best Venice. And my husband takes great pictures.
In addition to many hours of training and being an apprentice, each gondolier has to take an exam that covers knowledge of the gondola as well as geography and the history of Venice. They're also required to have a certain proficiency in English. Additionally, and most importantly, there is a physical test in which they have to drive the gondola around Venice, testing its tight turns.
The gondolas come with a hefty price tag for anyone who is willing to put in the work and can pass the test: They cost about 38,000 Euros. They're all built by hand and each one of them is unique.
These two are crazy.
Navigating narrow waters and low bridges isn't easy.
Gah. Venice is just incredible.
Look out! Coming through! These professionals got close but of course... there was no collision. Naturally, our driver was the best. One of these guys hit the boat on the other side (but not us!) Our guy kept it steady.
If you're in Venice, go find this gondolier. Despite Grant's face. He looks like this because his sister kicked him out of the "king's chair." She paid for this gondola ride and she let him sit next to her the whole time. She earned this. The adult faces of the people sitting in the gondola are cringing at the in-fighting going on between our kids at this moment.
She earned this, too. She's so darn pretty.
Off the gondola, we walked toward the Santa Lucia train station to try to find something to eat. We didn't stop here, but I appreciate their sign. Drink until he's cute!
Flower box season is my very favorite season.
Did I mention I love flower boxes? And Venice?
We stopped for some dinner at La Lanterna de Gas on our way back. Believe it or not, they had the VERY last Italian dish I needed to eat for my scratch off food map. When the kids were done eating, they (respectfully, not obnoxiously) found their pigeon allies in the piazza.
Walking back to the Santa Lucia train station, you can see the Church of San Simeone Piccolo. There were some thunderstorms to the north-northwest giving us some great lighting.
"Dad, I think he's gonna pork her!" "He's not gonna pork her." "I think he's gonna!" "He may pork her. Finish your breakfast."
Venice in the evening, with thunderstorms behind us. Truly beautiful.
This could be a painting. Honestly. We took the train back to our hotel without getting rained on, a miracle!
Until next time, Venice! You'll always be one of our faves!
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