Venice was
the last stop of our two-week trip before heading home to Philadelphia. After a
confortable ride on train from Lake Como, by way of Milan, we arrived at the
train station and headed for the exit. The first thing we saw when we got
outside was the Grand Canal. Venice really is the city of water and bridges. My
sister led the way to our hotel while I slowly followed behind with my heavy –
and now broken – suitcase. We probably should have taken a water taxi but opted
to walk to save money. We stayed at Hotel Mignon in the Cannaregio east section of the city, not far
from the famous Rialto Bridge. The hotel was small and quaint, decorated in the
tradition Venetian style.
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| The Grand Canal |
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| Gondolas going down the Canal |
After being in Italy for
almost fifty days I was feeling a little homesick and exhausted from so much
planning. This contributed to our lack of plans set for our days in Venice,
however, every travel book and website said that this was perfectly okay. Other
than seeing the top attractions, including Piazza San Marco and the Basilica,
most references said to spend a day wondering the city. We ended up spending
two days wondering the city, and it was fabulous. We put away our map and cell
phones and started walking. We went over bridges, down alleys, and away from
the crowd. Venice was the most crowded of any city we went to. Finding an area
not packed with tourist was difficult but could be done. Numerous times we
ended up walking into a dead end or finding our way to the edge of the water
and then turning around. Along the way we found so many great stores. Venice is
famous for glass, especially on the island of Murano. Most of the stores we
went into sold beautiful glass jewelry, drinking glasses, and little trinkets.
Many stores sold beautiful handmade Venetian carnival masks as well. Further
away from the tourist attractions we found a few antique stores with great
treasures. I ended up buying an amazing print of the city and my sister found
an antique necklace.
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| Piazza San Marco |
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| Beautiful home alone the Canal |
Getting lost in Venice
was a great way to spend our last three days. I arrived back in Philadelphia
feeling excited to be home, however I knew I would miss Italy. There was so
much more to do and see that I could not fit into my trip. I know I will return
to Italy in the future to continue the adventure.
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| My last gelato in Italy. |
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ReplyDeleteAccording to John Julius Norwich, the traditional first doge of Venice, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was actually Exarch Paul, and his successor, Marcello Tegalliano, Paul's magister militum (General; literally, "Master of Soldiers.") In 726 the soldiers and citizens of the Exarchate rose in a rebellion over the iconoclastic controversy at the urging of Pope Gregory II. The Exarch was murdered and many officials put to flight in the chaos. At about this time, the people of the lagoon elected their own leader for the first time, although the relationship of this ascent to the uprisings is not clear. Ursus would become the first of 117 "doges" (doge is the Venetian dialect development of the Latin dux ("leader"); the corresponding word in English is duke, in standard Italian duce.) Whatever his original views, Ursus supported Emperor Leo's successful military expedition to recover Ravenna, sending both men and ships. In recognition, Venice was "granted numerous privileges and concessions" and Ursus, who had personally taken the field, was confirmed by Leo as dux and given the added title of hypatus (Greek for "Consul".)
Suitcases, backpacks and extra-size bags are not allowed into the Basilica, you can deposit them for free before your entrance at the Ateneo San Basso, next to the Basilica.
venice italy attractions