A bit of culture

Today we decided to do the culture thing with the main event, a visit to the Doges Palace (photos 1,2 & 3).....amazing - some of the biggest and most ornate rooms we have ever seen. The tour included a visit to the old prison, accessed by walking across the Bridge of Sighs (photo 4) - so have done the inside and outside of that one!) We also visited the Manet exhibition that was on at the Palace (not necessarily Ingrid's cup of tea but she's glad she did it)
After lunch in a square, we visited St Michele, (photo 5) a whole island that is a cemetery, strange but it had to be done! Also went to S. Giorgio island to visit the Cathedral (photo 6 & 7)- again, amazing that a city can have SO many churches and Cathedrals.
Went the long way back round the islands on the water bus (sneaky photo of one stop just for Grandad, no. 8) to our hotel, packing and a last dinner tonight before home tomorrow.

Verona

Today we decided to catch the train and spend a day in Verona. Once again we were blessed with lots of sun and temperatures in the mid 20s.
After a drink, sitting outside on one of the squares we saw the main Arena/Amphitheatre. Built in the 1st century and still hosting big concerts today (photos 1&2)
First church of the day was S. Fermo (photo 3) then onto Juliet's house to see the famous balcony (photo 4)
Next came Plazza dei Signori (photo 5), S. Anastasia church (photo 6) and the Arche Scaligere (photo 7)
We then had a BIG climb up past the roman castle, to Castel S. Pedro for some magnificent views over the city (photo 8)
Back down the hill to the Duomo (photo 9, 10 (old bit) & 11 (new altar))...feet beginning to ache now!
Finally on to Castelvecchio (photo 12 & 13) before a slow walk back to the station and a welcome sit on the train back to Venice (taking the opportunity to write this on the way!)

Loved Verona, loving the sun too and the feet won't be tired after a few glasses of wine tonight!

Island hopping

Today we have done a tour of some of the islands....
1 & 2.....Murano, famous for it's glass.
3 & 4..... Burano, for it's lace and colourful houses and
5.......Torcello, for it's church and bell tower (it doesn't have anything else (literally))
6...... Coolest ambulance ever

And all done in glorious sunshine :-)

Venice

We arrived to lots of water, but rather than the stuff in the canals it was coming from the sky. It didn't stop us exploring but we did get rather wet!
Day 2 brought lovely sunshine and we had a great day seeing the city on foot and by water bus. We had a guide for a couple of hours, giving us lots of information and some of the sights off the beaten track......
The Grand Canal in the rain
One for the many, many churches
The Doges Palace
The Gondola shipyard
St Mark's Square