Venezia!

I love Italy.  I love the food.  I love the energy radiating from its people.  I love the culture.  I love the beautiful postcard views everywhere you turn.  I love listening to the language.  I just absolutely love everything about it.  So, our stop in Venice certainly didn't disappoint.  Venezia...doesn't it just sound fantastic?

St. Mark's Basilica, at one end of Piazza San Marco, is the most famous of all the churches in Venice. Construction was finished on it in 1096, but it took until the 19th century to finish decorating it.  Mark's remains are supposedly buried there...the story goes that some Venetian merchants stole his remains (from Egypt) and smuggled them into Italy.  But recently, some scientists are saying that the remains could actually be Alexander the Great's! 

Piazza San Marco

 
The Piazza San Marco was interesting, but not nearly as beautiful as the rest of the city.  Sitting on the edge of a canal, I wondered if anyone could ever get tired of a view like this...

Our first dinner in Venice was delicious.  I also think we had the best view in town of the Rialto Bridge.

Our second day in Venice was filled with even more stunning views!

We learned on a walking tour about the masquerade balls that Venice is famous for.  During the plague, doctors would wear a mask with a "beak" in order to keep the sickness further away.  Hmmm...I wonder how that worked out for them?

Another shot taken during our walking tour.

The end of our walking tour included a gondola ride.  Yes, I realize only tourist take gondola rides.  But it's just one of those things you have to do if you get the chance to be in Venice.  Where else in the world (besides Vegas...ha!) can you go up and down beautiful canals listening to gondoliers singing?  The gondoliers were fun to watch...and they certainly take great pride in their boats. I was shocked when I found out that each gondola costs around 30,000 Euros!

We spent our last day in Murano, about 30 minutes by boat from Venice.  It was very similar to Venice, but without all of the tourists! 

In Venice and the surrounding islands, EVERYTHING happens by boat.  Deliveries, trash pick up, taxis, and even hearses.  Here is a delivery boat in Murano.

I'm glad I had the chance to visit Venice.  It's true, the city really is sinking.  And year after year, it is becoming more and more like a theme park.  Pretty soon, there won't be any Venetians left in this beautiful city.  I'm glad I got to experience it before they all abandon ship for the mainland. 

Next Stop:  Florence