Today, we wandered around a bit but were never lost. After a late start in the morning, we huffed it to the Rialto Bridge – which was CROWDED as to be expected being one of the main photo spots for the Grand Canal.
David and Janeen with the Rialto Bridge behind us.Terri and Jason with the Rialto Bridge behind them.Terri and Jason on the Rialto Bridge looking towards the Grand Canal.Janeen and Dvid on the Rialto Bridge.
We crossed over, taking a picture or two of course, and walked around to see the sights.
The CROWDS going done the side of the Rialto Bridge.
Getting hungry, we crossed back over the and went to a nice restaurant for a lovely lunch – clams, soup, lasagna, salad, steak, lamp shank…all really lovely.
The tile work on the exterior of this place was lovely.Lovely weathervane on the top of one of the buildings close to the entrance of the Grand Canal.
After lunch, we took the Vapareto along the Grand Canal to St. Marks Square for a walk around and to see where Jason and Terri are to meet up with their guide tomorrow.
Here we all are in front of Saint Marks having a lovely time.
We also walked past the Bridge of Sighs.
The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed bridge made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. Bridge was built in 1600. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment
Of course we stopped for a espresso,
Janeen had her melon gelato
Janeen had Melon gelato (something she has been looking for since she had it in Provence 10 years ago!) and ultimately back over the Rialto Bridge (for the 3rd time) heading back to our apartment and a coffee break and finally gelato stop along the way.
After checking out of our BW Travelers hotel, we went over to the Venice Marco Polo Airport and picked up Jason and Terri who arrived from Germany to spend a few days with us in Venice. After getting everyone in the NEW CAR we drove across
The only ‘land’ bridge to Venice. Parking is limited to the area at the end of this road by the train station.
causeway to the City Of Venice! Needless to say there are very few parking areas but I had reserved a spot for our stay.
Once we navigated the parking structure
Garage entrance – not sure if I go on the right or left???
Typical vaporetto – water bus – for use getting around Venice.
and purchased our vaporetto (water bus) tickets, we boarded Line #1 and motored down the Grand Canal to our stop S. Toma, where Greg, our host in the VRBO, was waiting.
On the water bus to our apartment
After a short walk, we got to the apartment – overlooking Campo dei Frari, near Gloriosa dei Frari church.
The apartment is on the second floor, the one with the red blind.
We are on the second floor of a nice building next to a “rio”canal. This apartment has two bedrooms, a large living room, dining room, 2,5 baths a nice kitchen and LOTS of windows for light.
This is the view from our living room.Here’s the living room from the windows.Nice large dining room – party anyone?Kitchen with all the required items and space too!The larger of the two bathroomsHere’s the smaller of the two bedrooms.Large bedroom with TV and big closets.
Nice and relaxed in Venice
We got settled in a few minutes and then headed out to Antiche Carampane, a restaurant Janeen and I had visited during our first visit (15 months ago) to share lunch.
Well, the restaurant did NOT disappoint!
Having our first glass of wine of the day.Best prawns so far on this trip!Grilled octopus – fantastic!Seafood PastaSea Bream – also tasty but to be honest not as good as the Sea Bass.Sea Bass – really tastyHazel nuts with chocolate covered ice creamPumpkin TiramisuCafé Correcto – Espresso and Grappa – nice after a large meal.
Having a wonderful time!
A happy group after a wonderful lunch.Walking back to the apartment.
Jason and Terri were a little tired after a very long day so they took a nap – and then they went out for pizza while Janeen and I stayed home. Tomorrow, even if it is calling for some rain, we will venture out and do some exploring and actually take more pictures!
