It's off to Venezia today. We will also be visiting Murano and Burano islands on an optional tour of the famous glass blowing region of Murano and the colorful houses and lace making on the island of Burano. A very full day.
We had a walking tour of Venice where we were taken first, to the tranquil residential areas where we enjoyed the beautiful at architecture throughout several of the various ethnic neighborhoods. Our walk concluded in the bustling commercial and tourist areas in and around the Piazza St Marco.
A bit poetic but I have to agree that, as our guide put it: "Venezia is like a Museo of the open air."
Venetians were quite brilliant. While many countries were constantly at war with their neighbors, Venice, being the world's merchants of their time, actually allowed ethnic cultures to establish neighborhoods within Venice realizing that commerce would be much improved if they were not fighting one another.
After enough time for lunch and a little shopping/walking around, some of us that took the optional tours, hopped onto a boat, first to the island of Murano.
Murano is known for it's blown glass manufacturing. Our time was a little limited here. We entered the famous factory just at the end of the short dock and were led into the furnace room where the glass blowers were busy at work manufacturing glassware while demonstrating the process. After about 5 minutes we found ourselves in the showroom, teaming with sales staff, encouraging us to purchase tons of souvenirs.
The glass is beautiful and the craftsmanship is exquisite but most of the items would only be at home in a presidential palace, coincidently who would be the only ones able to afford it.
After escaping the sales force, we had only a very few minutes before our boat left for Burano.
Burano is known for the dying art of lace making. Dying because younger people are not replacing the older lace makers in sufficient numbers. The island's houses are all painted in bright and cheerful colors and it is a cute town to wander around in.
The lagoon had become quite choppy by the time we were heading back which made for a slightly slower passage.
Once back in Venice, we headed down the waterfront area slightly to hop onto a smaller water-taxi and navigated through the Grand Canal back to the tour bus. From there, back to the hotel.
Not surprisingly, we were not the only tourists in Venice that day. Nor, it turned out, were we the only ones that were on boats, seeing other areas near by. It was surprising, however, that seemingly everyone wanted to dock their boats at exactly the same moment we arrived back to Venezia. An Italian's energy really shines when they are faced with struggles. The pandemonium and colorful language, mercifully incomprehensible, that ensued as every boat tried to occupy the few dock spaces available was Italy at its most amusing! They, however, approached it with great resolve, failing to see the stereotype.
Dinner this evening was back at the piazza in Mestre. We were joined by another couple on the tour that we have become friends with. Fish (pesce) was on the menu tonight. Three of us ordered the Grilled Scampi and I had a Grilled Bass. All very good.
We continue north tomorrow with stops in Verona, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore.
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