Jul 02, 2017
There was magic in the air as we ended our last full day in Venice
We started the day with a visit to the Church and Bell Tower of San Giorgio Maggiore which happens to be on an island with the same name. It was a quick water bus across the channel from Saint Mark’s Square. I took this photo just the day prior from San Marco’s campanile.
You can read about San Giorgio Maggiore by clicking here.
The Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore itself was interesting but our primary reason for the visit was to visit the 60m – high bell tower. I didn’t write down the cost but we think it was 5 euros each to take the elevator to the top. Yes that is Colin on the left.
The views are spectacular. Sadly we had no time to visit the Benedictine monastery complex and the many art exhibits scattered around the island. I would have enjoyed that garden maze.
Great photo of the Piazza San Marco and the Doges Palace and the bell tower that we had been at only the day prior.
Colin’s photo of the many people in the square. They are not clear in the photos but you can see the two granite columns on the piazetta leading to Piazza San Marco, the one is the Column of San Teodoro and the other is surmounted by the winged lion of San Marco.
My photo, great zoom on both cameras. In the foreground I am showing a floating barrier to keep the waves from disrupting a main boarding area for gondolas.
Again we had several hundred photos to chose from, this is one of Colin’s, mine was similar. I think in the future I may leave the photography to Colin while I concentrate on the details and the writing.
No matter where you are, Venice is beautiful. Colin took this one.
I think Colin took a great shot, rather artsy. Amazing zoom.
One of the bells. We just happened to be up there at noon so we got an earful. I did a small video which I will post another time, this post is going to be long enough as it is.
The main alter with the Last Supper by Tintoretto. No way to control the light.
The inside the nave seems to go on and on. This is the first church that I felt a desire to just sit and take it all in. Well of course there was the Basilica but one was not encourged to stop and sit as you could here.
From this island we had to go back to the water stop near Saint Mark’s where we took yet another water bus to our next stop. I took this on the second boat to our next stop.
It is never ever boring, there is always something to see.
I just love this shot that Colin took from the top of the today’s bell tower.
We were at the Ca’ Rezzonico, what used to be a home but was now a museum, which was included in our museum pass. Fortunately they have an elevator! Hopefully you can read the above, if not please Google this place, it has a most interesting history including being the home to Robert Browning and Cole Porter.
There were hundreds, likely thousands of paintings, room after room. This one of the Sacra Famiglia was done by Jacopo Palma il Vecchio (1480 – 1528). After almost two hours we sped things up and finally left. Our eyes were crossing.
In addition to room after room of art we were able to walk through the family rooms.
This was the grand ballroom.
From the museum which was in the Dorsoduro district we simply wandered about going to what we thought was the Accademia district. Somehow we took a left instead of a right and ended up on the wrong side of the island.
We eventually found a lovely place to stop for a late lunch. Another bar type restaurant catering to the locals. Other than the couple on the right we were the only tourists. Note the businessman in the dark suit at the stand up bar having an espresso. His briefcase is at his feet.
They only had wine by the glass so the bottle was the best way to go. The pizza was excellent but nowhere as perfect as the one we had the day prior in Burano.
After lunch we just kept walking until we came to the Accademia Bridge which once we crossed was only 15 – 20 minutes to our apartment. Colin had taken this previously while on one of our many water bus trips. It was now time to pack our bags.
We had made reservations for dinner at the’ l’ombra del leone’ which had a long list of recommendations from previous tourists who had stayed at our Airbnb. We sat under the second from the left white umbrella and watched the world go by.
We just went with the moment and started with a spritz followed by an expensive for us ( but at the lowest end of the scale on the menu ) 35 euro bottle of absolutely perfect Pinot Grigio. Our primo was pasta and our secondo was a fish dish.
Later as we watched the full moon, we asked what the next table was drinking. It was limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur. So we ordered one. It came in a small ice cold carafe with two small glasses and was simply wonderful. I have to say that I was a bit surprised at the 20 euro price tag on the final bill. But when in Italy….who cares…..the total for those who are asking was 139 Euro/ 205.00 CAD before tip. A totally magically evening, it was the perfect end to our stay in Venice.
We then walked over to our favorite place, the Piazza San Marco, where each of the three bands were playing all of our favorite music. Then the Florian began to play a Viennese Waltz, one of my favorite dances. I actually just found out today that Colin had taken this video. So here is the final piece of magic…..yes we in fact did do a full out Viennese Waltz. I only wish that we could have captured that magic on video but it will always remain a memory in my mind.
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Such a fun time you had and wonderful pictures as well, thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed the visit to Venice.
What a hoot! A great time. You guys have seen so much of Venice, amazing…
Yes we really did go full out while in Venice but is was wonderful.
Funny thing in April Peter asked what I wanted for my birthday and I said a bottle of limoncello! Love the stuff. google Casa San Gabriel in Umbria near Assi, interesting cottages and an interesting story of how it came to be. That is where I had my first taste of it and it inspires just a huge memory!
What a wonderful trip you had. Cheers.
I can get Limoncello here :))))
Beautiful photos! I haven’t had a chance yet to look at previous posts from your trip to Venice, we’ve just been so busy but I will go back and look at them when I have time. Glad you and Colin and a great visit.
Looking forward to when Kevin and I can make it there and have a week or two to just take it all in.
Ruth
Yes this is your busy time. Hopefully my posts will help you with planning for your trip to Venice.
WONDERFUL. YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO GO BACK AGAIN. THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THE VIENNESE WALTZ IS MY FAV AND THE BEST OF ALL WALTZES.
So glad that you enjoyed all the posts. Can you imaging dancing the Viennesse Waltz in Saint Mark’s Square? Pure magic.
What beautiful pictures, food, vistas… Indeed a wonderful place to watch the world go by!!! Am sad for it to end, as I am sure u r too!!!
Love the colors… What is a spritz?? Love, love lemoncello!!
I posted about spritz before, I sent you an email with the details.
How did you guys manage your euros? Did you just use an ATM or did you buy in advance?
I will do a full financial post soon. We took 600 euros with us and I used and ATM twice.
Lovely photos from both of you! I know that you replaced your camera; what brand & model, if I may ask?
It is a Canon SX60 HS. I sent you a PM with a few more details.
Wonderful photo’s and your trip looks amazing! Cheeers!
So glad you enjoyed the Venice posts. I know that they were long but it makes for a great record of the trip.