Venice, Italy

Our Greek Isle Cruise came to an end the morning of Saturday, November 24, 2018, but Bob and I still had plans for more fun. We would be staying the next two nights in Venice before flying back home.  It was rainy season in Venice, the city of water, and little did we know that there were times of day that the streets of Venice would be completely flooded.  People who know that, just put on their rubber boots and life goes on as normal.  We had booked a place to stay that was right on the southern coast of the island in the Dorsoduro District, and when we arrived by boat at the nearest dock to our hotel, there was at least a half of foot of water covering the sidewalk!  Lugging our suitcases off the dock and searching for a dry spot of ground, we pulled our flip-flops out of our suitcases and rolled up our pants.  There was not a dry pathway to the hotel, and we were stuck wading through the freezing cold water while trying to maintain dry luggage for about 300 yards.  After the initial shock and agony of it all, I thought it was hilarious - and a perfect grand entrance to Venice!  I couldn't manage more photos while carrying luggage, but we were surprised to see that we would even wade through a long courtyard into the hotel where onlookers snapped photos and laughed at our very wet arrival.  In hindsight, we could have called the hotel and they would have arranged for a bell boy to bring us boots and carry our luggage . . . but then we would not have had this fun memory to write about!

Our room would not be ready until later that afternoon, so we checked our luggage, and headed out to see if we could buy some rubber boots.  Yes, the hotel had some we could borrow or purchase, but I figured I might as well get some "cute" ones.  Haha . . . no such luck!  Instead, we drew lots of stares from the Venetians bundled up in their winter coats and boots, while we waded around the city of canals in our flip-flops and rolled up jeans.  Crazy Americans!  (I'm not sure Bob thought it was as charming of an experience as I did, but he's a pretty good sport!)

Over the couple of days that we meandered and drifted around the main island (Venice is a city that takes in 118 small islands), my initial observations revealed that Venice is . . .

A mesmerizing maze of canals and bridges . . .

 Glorious gondolas and boats . . .

 An art-lover's gallery . . . 

 The shopper's emporium . . 

(Bob purchased a hand-made Venetian Mask which the artist signed, and I bought a little gondola charm.  Bob also bought an elegant small black Italian purse for me.)

A grazer's gastronomical delight . . 

 A synthesis of spiritual and secular . . 

(Many of the basilicas had classical artwork on display, but most did not allow photos inside.  Don't worry, we'll come back to details of St. Mark's Basilica below!)

 Awe-inspiring for the architect . . .

 And St. Mark's Square!

Saint Mark's Piazza, is the most popular attraction in Venice, and not without reason.  It is truly one of the most beautiful squares in the world! 

The square's main attraction is St. Mark's Basilica. Bob and I toured this unbelievably ornate building, probably the most decorated I've ever seen. Built in a Gothic Byzantine style, with more than 500 columns and enough mosaics to cover one and a half football field, it is stunning! No photos were allowed inside, but every square inch of the church was decorated in fine mosaics, gold-leaf and inlaid marble designs!  What is seen on the outside is just the tip of the iceburg . . .

Next to St. Mark's Basilica is Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace.  We did not have time to tour the former home of the chief magistrate of Venice and it's museums.  

Directly across from the palace are the arcades of Sansovino's Libreria Vecchia, filled with shops, restaurants and museums.

 At the end of the arcades is the campanile, the tall brick bell tower for the basilica.

The north and south sides of Piazza di San Marco are bordered by is the Procuratie, the former offices of the Procurators, the chief officials of the Republic.  When the tide was high, we watched as water bubbled up to flood the square.  Walking platforms are placed strategically around populated parts of the city during high tide.

  And connected to the government offices is an ornate clock tower, Torre dell'Orologio.

This is Wet and Wonderful Venice!