Venice, and not just a fake version
Oh Venice. I don't know entirely what to say about you. It feels sad to compare it to the las Vegas version but there is a little bit there. The entire island exists because the tourists want to go there. It's a strange place to wander what with the combination of tiny little alley ways, canals and bridges. It is also crazy busy. Even on a rainy morning. By the time we left there was 4 cruise ships. But we had a good day. We started out with taking a boat from the mainland to Venice. Also, did i mention that it was pouring rain and windy, it was cold, even for this tough Canadian girl.
We did also get to visit the Doge's palace. It was the Venetian dukes palace. We did a guided tour and he gave us a lot of information. A lot of information. But it was ornate like every other palace we've seen. We made a little group with a few of our fellow travelers after the tour. We did have a bad learning experience with lunch but were happy to learn that at least we didn't get charged for musicians entertaining us while we ate. We did find the Rialto bridge which was a giant mass of humanity. There were people everywhere in Venice. But it was entertaining to meander around the back streets.
Of course we went to st marks square and the church. We had to line up for a good ten minutes after church had let out to slowly wander through the church. It is crazy fancy. One of the ladies who went through with us told us about the impressive mosaic floors. I was impressed. I even took an illicit picture. In my defense everyone was taking pictures today. For such a place it was really just a free for all aside from the man letting people in.
The big event for today was going for a gondola ride. The Vegas version was really fun and this was so much more. We went as a big convoy and even had musicians. People on the bridges took a lot of pictures of us! But it was such an experience. The strange part was that when we came out from one of the side canals to a massive police presence. At first it was a little alarming but then we realized that it was for all the sailboats. Not sure how much will get covered in the media but it we learned that the America cup race was over and they were touring all the boats which was really interesting to see from sea level in the gondola.
The part of it all with the weather that I find the funniest is that most of the travelers on this tour are from southern USA. With the drawls and all. So of course they all have long sleeved shirts, jackets and covered shoes in 15 - 20 degree weather. Well, we've heard that we might be arriving to snow in the mountains tomorrow. They are going to suffer. Today was cold but more of a typical spring temperature that we are used to. I think that if it does snow it'll be an interesting day.
So tomorrow we leave Italy, but still stop by lake maggiore on the way to the Swiss alps and the Matterhorn! Looking forward to it.
I'd also like to say how excited I am for the euro. I don't want to think of how difficult it would have been to have to deal with seven different currencies.
Update: I realize that I left you all to believe that it rained all day. it actually stopped raining in the morning and the sun even came out.
We did also get to visit the Doge's palace. It was the Venetian dukes palace. We did a guided tour and he gave us a lot of information. A lot of information. But it was ornate like every other palace we've seen. We made a little group with a few of our fellow travelers after the tour. We did have a bad learning experience with lunch but were happy to learn that at least we didn't get charged for musicians entertaining us while we ate. We did find the Rialto bridge which was a giant mass of humanity. There were people everywhere in Venice. But it was entertaining to meander around the back streets.
Of course we went to st marks square and the church. We had to line up for a good ten minutes after church had let out to slowly wander through the church. It is crazy fancy. One of the ladies who went through with us told us about the impressive mosaic floors. I was impressed. I even took an illicit picture. In my defense everyone was taking pictures today. For such a place it was really just a free for all aside from the man letting people in.
The big event for today was going for a gondola ride. The Vegas version was really fun and this was so much more. We went as a big convoy and even had musicians. People on the bridges took a lot of pictures of us! But it was such an experience. The strange part was that when we came out from one of the side canals to a massive police presence. At first it was a little alarming but then we realized that it was for all the sailboats. Not sure how much will get covered in the media but it we learned that the America cup race was over and they were touring all the boats which was really interesting to see from sea level in the gondola.
The part of it all with the weather that I find the funniest is that most of the travelers on this tour are from southern USA. With the drawls and all. So of course they all have long sleeved shirts, jackets and covered shoes in 15 - 20 degree weather. Well, we've heard that we might be arriving to snow in the mountains tomorrow. They are going to suffer. Today was cold but more of a typical spring temperature that we are used to. I think that if it does snow it'll be an interesting day.
So tomorrow we leave Italy, but still stop by lake maggiore on the way to the Swiss alps and the Matterhorn! Looking forward to it.
I'd also like to say how excited I am for the euro. I don't want to think of how difficult it would have been to have to deal with seven different currencies.
Update: I realize that I left you all to believe that it rained all day. it actually stopped raining in the morning and the sun even came out.
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