A Rainy Friday in Venice

More rain, so breakfast was served in two small rooms. It would have been wonderful in the garden. Lots of variety here for breakfast at Hotel Salute. It's a good location, right in from the Salute vaparetto stop and only a few minute walk to the Academia Bridge (one of 3 that cross the Grand Canal). Wanted to try the tranghetto, but it doesn't run in the rain.

We walked to St. Mark's Square to meet our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable, and 3 hours flew by. I learned lots, myself, which is always fun for me. In all my times in Venice, I had no idea that St. Ambrose was staining over an alligator in this statue near the Doges Palace! Who knew???

We watched the bell tower ring, and
headed toward the Fenice Opera House. We had not seen that before, nor the tower house.

After the tour we all headed to St. Mark's to catch the vaporetto to Murano for some glassblowing sightings and purchases. It was still worth it to see the furnaces and to buy authentic items at a fair cost. The furnaces were all moved to Murano to prevent further fires on Venice centuries ago. It's definitely worth the trip.

The students headed back to main Venice and Ray and I lingered. I was not ready to give up our quest to find beautiful beads to bring home.No place was selling loose beads like we had found in 2005. I was very disappointed, but I managed to buy quite a few nice pieces, which included glass cherries to bring to Cochi and Silvana.

I so needed a coffee, and we found this little place, and wow... there was the sign to show the bus that went to Burano... exactly what I wanted to do.

The rain continued as we trudged along the lagoon. It didn't matter. I had treasures and my hubby and was off to capture the beauty of Burano... at least I hoped.

Burano is four islands linked by bridges. Here is a link: http://www.isoladiburano.it/en/index.html.


When did they begin painting the houses in all those funky colors? There is an ancient legend narrates that fishermen painted their houses to see them from long distance when they were far away for fishing.I have seen photos, and took some in 2005, but I don;t know the story of why they are so many different colors. This is definitely something I need to look up...

We arrived and checked the vaparetto return trips, because it is a long way (an hour) from Venice. We stopped a few times to look at some of the lace (lacemaking is the main industry of this island). The grandmothers teach the grand daughters to continue the craft. I did get a few photos of some of the old women making hand made lace. It is gorgeous.

But the colors, even in the rain, are breathtaking. It is like stepping into a make-believe-land. I am so excited, I keep shooting from the camera, iPad, and iPhone... I will make sure to capture what I remember from '05 and since... beautiful.

We stopped in a shop that had Murano jewelry, and guess what... BEADS!!! There were not as many as the store from 2005, but I certainly got my fill. A new style is big glass balls on a leather strip. The lady gave me one as a gift, and a sample, but I will really need to look at it to replicate it with the ones I bought loose.

She was wonderful and gave me gift bags and stickers for each one. Her husband makes the beads and I have her info: Lumeart di Livia Minio
Corte Novello Via Giudecca n40
30142 Burano-Venezia Italy
lumeart.venezia@gmail.com


We ate in a wonderful place and had a Spritzer and some excellent seafood at Ristornate Galuppi in Galuppi Piazza. It was simple and delicious.

Before it got dark, we decided to head back. It was an hour boat ride back, past Murano, past the cemetery island of St. Michael's and then the water bus to the north. I wanted my ride down the whole Grand Canal, so we did exactly that. It was a wonderful day.

I love Venice and got to do it MY way today with my patient and wonderful husband.

Thursday #2 - On to Venezia

I lost several posts, so I am back to square one... ARGH...


We departed from the city of Aosta along the same valley Hannibal traveled, Agustus traveled, and the former king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel traveled to his hunting lodge (Sarre' Castle).



Along the route are many other castles, which I try to point out to the students.




They seem too engrossed in their iPods and games of Candy Crush.



In following the FQR format I want the students to use (Fact, Question, Response), I wonder what they expect to get from this trip. I am so inquisitive about all I see, hear, and have a sense of wonder, do they?

Are Ray and I unusual in our natural curiosity and expression of awe, wonder, and enjoyment? How much does out upbringing impact our sense of travel today? These are some things I really want to think about after we get home.

It's not everyday that one sees one castle.... But the Valle D'Aosta is filled with them.

I photograph these glimpses to history through the windows of the bus, so I will remember their unusual placement and beauty.

If I am able to return to this area next year, I would like to visit Fenis Castle, which, on the Aosta Valley web site, seems to be the most beautiful of all. See more:

 www.lovevda.it/en/culture/castles.

The bus driver tells me that this castle is evident in the movie, The Avengers. I'm not familiar with the movie, but will check it out when we get home.


We barely make the train in Turin (allow more time). We jump on and settle into the most modern and clean train car I have ever been on. The luggage rack is in the middle of the car (makes more sense to prevent theft) and it is clean and comfortable. We have room to spread out, at lest for a while.

It's grey when we reach the train station that ends the land and opens to the Venetian lagoon. We are met by the MIR turgid and I immediately purchase the 2 day water bus tickets for the students and Ray and me. The price is 7 euro per trip and 20 euro for unlimited trips for 48 hours. It's best to buy now and its done.

We take a ride on a private water taxi to the hotel, getting only a glimpse of the Grand Canal. We take a few group photos, and I am disappointed it is all so gray. I really wanted the WOW factor for these students. Oh well. I am not in charge of the weather!

The hotel is down near the Guggenheim Museum and the cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute. I just finished reading about when it was built in a historical novel, The Venetian Bargain by Marina Fiorato.

It was raining and the girls were's ready, so Greg, Ray and I visited the church. On the way we found St. Gregory's Church. 

We had a mediocre meal, but had a little orientation over the Academia Bridge and through the calle and alley ways of Venice. St. Mark's Square was ever amazing. 

Off for some sleep after a long travel day. 

Traveling to Venezia (Venice)!

So the day starts with a minibus ride of almost 2 hours to reach the train station in Torino (Turin) to one of the best new Italian train cars we have ever been on, for 3 hrs. To arrive at Piazza Roma in Venice. 

Goodby to the world as you know it... To a collection of 122 islands connected by walking bridges. No cars, trucks, motorcycles, or bikes. Solo piedi -only by foot... Or boat. It is puzzling to imagine every item in the. It was delivered by boat. How many manhours does that add up to in a day? No wonder the prices are higher here. 

Jordan, Nancy, Greg, Me, Sky, Shakela

Academia Bridge (wooden) crossing the Grand Canal

The private water taxi picks us up at the main dock and off we go, with the threat of rain hovering overhead. It's grey, but we can see the amazing palazzi, docks, and vaporetto (water us) stops along the way down the Grand Canal. We arrive at the hotel, balancing ourselves and our baggage as we disembark in the small canal where Albergo Salute is located. Our vaporetto stop will be, Salute, and we are a short walk from the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Academia Bridge - the only wooden one that crosses the Canale Grande. 

So I wonder about the number of trips up and down the Grand Canale it takes to stock a pharmacy, to bring the ingredients that will make up our Continental breakfasts. How many kilo of coffee travel that route each week? Every year?

A gondolier from our taxi

The Parish of St. Stephen

How old are Venetian children before they see their first car? Road? Truck? So many questions!

We unpack and meet up for a quick overview of getting around. We have a mediocre dinner near St. Mark's and try to beat the rain back across the Grand Canal. Tomorrow morning we have a guided walking tour. Seeing St. Marks Piazza for the first time is awesome. It still is awesome for me... My 8th time seeing it.

The students are duly impressed and the rain begins. Is this the Aqua alto? That happens in Jan and Feb. where is o sole mil?.

We make it back and listen the the seagulls and rain as we fall asleep. We've been in Italy a week already!

Buona notte.